Floatingmarket is a form of market appearing on main rivers. In this market, both
buyers and sellers use boats and canoes for transporting. In Vietnam, floating
markets are situated mostly in Southwestern region. The unique markets have
existed for a long time in Mekong River Delta. In Vietnam tour packages to travel Mekong River Delta, travelers will have a chance
to discover the unique river life, which is one of the most outstanding attractions
in Vietnam, as well as one of the most stunning images in the country. From
Tien Giang, Can Tho to Ca Mau everywhere is full of bustling life with life on
river. Cai Be Floating Market in Tien Giang, Phong Dien Floating Market, Phung
Hiep Floating Market in Can Tho, and Thoi Binh Floating Market in Ca Mau are
among famous floating markets in Mekong River Delta. Compared with floating markets in Mekong River Delta such as Phong
Dien Floating Market and Cai Be Floating Market, Thoi Binh Floating Market in
Ca Mau is smaller and less bustling. Yet, each floating market has its own
unique characteristics and local specialties.
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| Cai Rang Floating Market |
The
cultural, economic and social factors are fundamental backgrounds creating
second-to-none features in floating markets and remaining their existence over
the time. In Vietnam tours to these special
markets, travelers will witness the hustle and bustle of merchants' boats
exchanging and trading. Almost these boats measure weights of 2-3 tones. These
boats carry agricultural products and items from rice, salt, fish sauce to
household tools to other provinces throughout the country. Besides, there are
smaller boats carrying home-made agricultural products trading here. From
orchards in Tien Giang and Can Tho, boats of fruits move to Ca Mau to trade. To
recognize which kind of goods sold on boats, customers just look at a long pole
attached to the deck. The pole looks like a "billboard" in front of
stores showing things to sell. This "special marketing" style makes
the floating markets so exclusive and attract a great number of travelers going
on Vietnam holidays to southwestern area. By
looking at things hung on these poles, buyers know what kind of goods that the
boat carrying and selling. Meanwhile, on boats from Ca Mau to Cai Be and Can
Tho, there are products as local specialties carried.
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| Market in Cantho |
In
Vietnam travel tours to the floating areas,
travelers will have chances to explore life and culture of local people. The all-year-round
life on boats is not easy at all. Exchanging on boats on rivers is the only way
of making their living. The sellers have to undergone many difficulties to
maintain their life. Due to the lack of land for living, life of merchants is always
attached to boats and rivers, which is unstable. They can dock in Phong Dien
today, but tomorrow they will sail to Sa Dec or Ca Mau... To them, life is a
series of arduous days and struggles for difficulties on rivers. Their life on
river is always affected by rivers and natural changes. Children living on
boats with their parents do not have any chance to go to school; they have to
participate in earning their living. The scenery is numerous in these floating
markets. Yet, spiritual life of local people on boats is so diverse and
special. By dint of trading in different places and communicating with
different people, merchants know how to live and treat each other right.
Therefore, in spite of lacking literacy, these local merchants treat their
customers in an extroverted and hospitable way. Merchants on rivers have strong
belief in fortune. They believe that if the beginning is good, their trading
day will go smoothly. Thus, when customers come to these Mekong River Delta attractions to buy, they are always
welcomed in the warmest manners. In each morning, the sellers wish to meet a
customer who will bring luck to their trading day. To seek the luck, at the
beginning of the trading, sellers often give a quite high rate that buyers will
bargain, which makes the trading more exciting. When sellers and buyers agree
the rate which is bargained, goods will be purchased with the satisfaction of
both sides.
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| Chau Doc Floating Market |
When
the sun goes down, merchants anchor their boats overnight next to each other
and continue their trading journey in the next morning. Clearly, no one knows
each other, but these merchants just make some greetings, and then they become
friends. They dine together and talk about daily life of each other. Some from
far orchards in Sa Dec and others from Ca Mau, all of them become friends in a
couple of minutes, even become close friends of each other, even intimates or
in-law relations. In Tet holiday, many trading boats cannot come back their
hometown. On the 30th day of lunar 12th month, they cook an offering meal to
invite their forefather to join the New Year and pray for the best things in
the New Year. Many families on boats docking next to each other hold a Tet
holiday together, which is so cozy and happy. They contribute what they have to
celebrate the New Year. In spite of being far away from home, they think that everywhere
is their hometown and their family. The affection of merchants with each other makes
them feel more consoled.
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| floating market in Can Tho |
