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| Pick of the bunch: A trader sells fresh fruit from her boat. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong |
Viet Nam News
by Tran Mai Huong
It’s 5am. A cool breeze accompanies the rising sun in the middle of the flooding season. The peaceful landscape of the river starts to come alive, while boats begin to fill with tourists along Ninh Kieu Wharf. All vessels are heading for the same destination – Cai Rang Floating Market.
Leaving Ninh Kieu Wharf, we travel along the tributaries of the Ba Lang and Cai Rang rivers, going under bridges which are full of vehicles early in the morning. Eventually, a sign hung from a bridge welcomed us to the famous floating market.
Cai Rang Floating Market is one of the three biggest wholesale markets in Can Tho. Located 6km from the city centre, the market offers fruit, vegetables and other delicacies from around the region. Traders sell their wares right on the water. Boats carrying tropical fruits like mango, grapefruit, orange and durian come from miles around.
The market, which was created when the local roads had still not been built, is still a popular trading hub. Now also a popular tourist destination, visitors come to see and understand the life of people in the Mekong Delta.
Together with those offering fruits, boats selling hot noodles, coffee and other snacks are busy serving customers.
The hustle and bustle on the water increases as the sun rises.
The shopping session often ends at around 9am. — VNS
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| Early risers: The peaceful landscape of the river starts to come alive in early morning. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong |
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| Shopping day: Thousands of boats flock to the area. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong |
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| Make way: Boats full of fruits and tourists head to the same floating market. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong |
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| Breakfast: A man sells soya milk at the market. VNS Photo Le Huong |
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| Juggling: Vegetable sellers pass cabbages to one another. VNS Photo Le Huong |
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| Local life: The market is a top destination for foreign tourists. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong |
OVietnam