Top 5 Famous Vietnam Floating Markets: The Charming Beauty of Southern Vietnam

There are many stores and shopping malls scattered throughout Vietnam. However, if you want to add something new and different to your shopping experiences, plan a trip to one of the famous and vibrant Vietnam floating markets.

These markets, mostly located in the Southern region, are always crowded with boats selling a variety of products. Locals come by land or water to buy their food and household goods. Here are some floating markets in Vietnam where you can enjoy the unique shopping experience that showcases the special lifestyle of Vietnamese people.

1. Long Xuyen Floating Market

Overview

Location: Ngo Thi Nham Street, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province
Opening Hours: 5:00 am – 9:00 am

If you are searching for a non-touristy and less crowded shopping place, Long Xuyen Floating Market is a great choice. The market combines the charming countryside with the waterway area. Here, the local lifestyle and traditional culture remain vibrant. Arrive early in the morning to witness the bustling life on the river where people sell and buy fruits, vegetables, and goods by boat. Despite the narrow waterways, the boats pass surprisingly well. Every day, hundreds of boats from different places come to trade numerous agricultural products.

What to Try

The market also boasts attractive and delicious dishes in the food court area. Don’t forget to try:

• Rice noodle soup
• Banh tam bi (silkworm cake)
• Banh bo (steamed rice cake)
• Vietnamese coffee

You can visit the Long Xuyen Floating Market any time of the year. However, it is advisable to come during the floating season, which lasts from the 7th to the 10th lunar months. During this time, the scenery is more vibrant with the most bustling trading scenes.

2. Tra On Floating Market

Overview

Location: Tra On Town, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 2:00 am – 8:00 pm

Tra On Floating Market has existed for hundreds of years and is one of the most abundant Vietnam floating markets that still retains the special cultural features of the riverine people. Visitors will be amazed by its bustling atmosphere of daily trading activities. Tra On Market is divided into two parts: one along the riversides and the other on the river. Both areas are equally bustling and exciting. The market starts early, around 2 am, and reaches its busiest time from 5 to 6 am when many boats gather at the dock.

What to Try

For food lovers, this is heaven with many types of fruits like bananas, coconuts, jackfruits, guavas, oranges, and pineapples. Besides fruits, you can find all types of agricultural products, including radishes, cabbages, and gourds. The lively shopping scene with welcoming words from the sellers invites you to practice your bargaining skills.

3. Cai Rang Floating Market

Overview

Location: Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho Province
Opening Hours: 4:00 am – 9:00 pm

Like other floating markets in the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang was formed to meet the trading needs of local people. Located on the river of the same name, the market is over 100 years old. Known as one of the three biggest floating markets in the Mekong Delta region, it attracts a lot of local people from Cai Rang town and surrounding areas. Every day, hundreds of boats gather here, packed with colorful farm products and local specialties.

What to Try

Common products include a variety of fruits like papayas, pineapples, bananas, and mangos. You won’t hear the cries of sellers as goods can be easily seen and the boat engines are quite loud. On the way to Cai Rang Floating Market, try some refreshing activities like visiting coconut candy-making villages, bee farms, and orchards. These activities offer a chance to learn about the cultural aspects of southerners.

4. Phong Dien Floating Market

Overview

Location: Phong Dien River, Nhon Ai Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho Province
Opening Hours: 4:00 am – 8:00 pm

Phong Dien Floating Market is a place full of interesting things for both domestic and foreign tourists. About 17 km from Can Tho City, the market is very popular among local people. While Cai Rang boasts its largest wholesale market, Phong Dien is a retail one located in a complex system of rivers and canals. This market is unique for its small sampans, which are the daily vehicles of local people.

What to Try

The market does not only sell fruits but also many other products like machinery, groceries, household appliances, and more. A special feature of Phong Dien Market is “cay beo,” or the wooden bamboo stick. Instead of using banners, sellers hang their products on top of “cay beo” so buyers can easily identify what’s for sale.

5. Nga Nam Floating Market

Overview

Location: Nga Nam Town, Thanh Tri, Soc Trang Province
Opening Hours: 3:00 am – 7:30 pm

Nga Nam Floating Market is located in the Nga Nam town where five rivers (Vinh Quoi, Ca Mau, Thanh Tri, Long My, and Phung Hiep) meet. Known for its hustle and bustle, the market offers a vibrant atmosphere hard to find elsewhere. Admire the endless stretches of big and small boats full of goods like tomatoes, garlic, cabbages, and potatoes.

What to Try

The temptation of food is hard to resist, with southern merchants selling delightful rice soup, seafood noodles, and coffee. Experience the uniqueness of the Mekong Delta area with sweet old folk songs, traditional “ao ba ba” clothing, and the distinctive local accent. The best way to get to the market is by heading to Ca Mau Province for easier transportation.

The vibrant floating markets of Southern Vietnam offer a unique and immersive shopping experience that showcases the rich culture and lifestyle of the Mekong Delta. From the bustling atmosphere of Nga Nam and Tra On to the serene charm of Long Xuyen, each market provides a distinct taste of local life. For an unforgettable journey, explore these markets with Vietnam Discovery Travel. Their expertly guided tours will help you navigate these lively waterways and ensure you experience the best of what Southern Vietnam has to offer.