January
26°C ~ 79°F
7 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
Cai Rang Floating Market
The biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta, where boats loaded with fruit and vegetables trade at dawn.
- Location
- Can Tho
- Time needed
- From 2 hours
- Entry fee
- Free
- Best months
- Dec – Apr
Overview
Cai Rang is the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Each morning, wholesale boats gather on the river to sell fruit and vegetables to traders and shops from across the region.
Visitors watch from a rented boat, buy snacks from vendors and see everyday trade on the water. It is best at dawn, before the heat and the crowds.
Highlights
- Watch wholesale boats trade pineapples, watermelons and vegetables
- See sellers hang their goods on tall poles so buyers can spot them
- Eat noodles or drink coffee from a vendor boat
- Visit a nearby noodle workshop on the return trip
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Busiest about 5:00 – 8:00 Thins out after about 9:00 |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | Free to watch; boat hire from about 350,000 VND for a private boat |
| Time needed | 2 – 3 hours |
| Best time of day | Very early morning, 5:30 – 7:30 |
| Good for | Photographers, culture lovers, early risers |
| Accessibility | Narrow boat boarding; steps and uneven pier surfaces |
| Facilities | Boat vendors selling coffee and noodles, pier cafes |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Can Tho by month.
February
26.8°C ~ 80°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
28.1°C ~ 83°F
4 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
29°C ~ 84°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
28.3°C ~ 83°F
26 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
June
27.2°C ~ 81°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
26.8°C ~ 80°F
30 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
26.9°C ~ 80°F
30 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
26.6°C ~ 80°F
29 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
26.5°C ~ 80°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
26.5°C ~ 80°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
26°C ~ 79°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
How to get there
- From Can Tho centre
Boats leave from Ninh Kieu Wharf in central Can Tho and take 30 to 45 minutes each way. Many hotels can arrange a boat and a pick-up from your room, and tours from Ho Chi Minh City also visit.
- Cai Rang Floating Market
Tips before you go
- Go as early as possible; by 9:00 most of the action has finished
- Agree the price and the length of the trip before boarding
- Bring a hat, sun cream and insect repellent
- The market is closed on some festival days
Location
Cai Rang District, Can Tho
More attractions in Can Tho
FAQs
What time should I visit Cai Rang Floating Market?
Aim to be on the water by 5:30 to 6:00. The market is busiest between about 5:00 and 8:00.
How much does a boat trip cost?
A private boat for a few hours is about 350,000 to 400,000 VND, depending on boat size and route. Shared boats cost less per person.
Is Cai Rang better than Phong Dien?
Cai Rang is larger and busier, while Phong Dien is smaller, quieter and has fewer tourists.