Boats afloat: Cai Rang floating market is Can Tho City's most visited attraction. VNS Photo Le Hoang Vu.

CAN THO (VNS) — Can Tho City's People's Committee has approved a project to preserve the Cai Rang floating market in Cai Rang District.

Submitted by the district's People's Committee, the project aims to restore and upgrade the market to meet requirements of the sellers and attract more visitors.

According to Ngo Anh Tin, vice chairman of the district's People's Committee, the district will rearrange the mooring system for boats at the market. It will build a stop station, floating restaurant and public restrooms for tourists as well.

The city has also established a steering board to support preservation works. The board has 23 members led by Le Van Tam, vice chairman of the people's committee.

It is in charge of working with the Cai Rang District's Culture and Information Office and its Tourism Centre to implement the project.

"The project is necessary in maintaining and developing the market as the city's most popular destination," Tam said, adding that for years local authorities have yet to issue official articles on managing and preserving the market.

He also said the project would contribute to raise awareness of boat traders and local residents for environmental protection, food hygiene and safety and social security at the market.

The project is expected to begin in early 2016.

Popular attraction

According to Tin, the Cai Rang Floating Market first appeared 100 years ago, becoming a destination for consumer agricultural products in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region.

Apart from selling fruits and vegetables from the district, it also offers special agricultural products from neighbouring provinces.

The region's food, specialties and handicraft products are brought to the market as well.

The market is open every day from 4am to 9am, and attracts nearly 300 boats. During festivals and holidays, up to 500 boats visit the 1 km-long floating market. It attracts 500 – 700 local and foreign tourists each day.

Nham Hung, a cultural researcher and playwright, said: "The Cai Rang floating market reflects cultural and tourism characteristics of Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta region."

"The market's appeal is about the large number of boats filled with goods, and friendly sellers," he said.

Due to its unique cultural value, Can Tho considers the market as the city's main tourism brand.

Cultural events to promote Mekong Delta tourism

Events to promote culture and tourism will be held in Ha Noi from November 15 to 18, with the participation of 12 provinces and Mekong Delta region's Can Tho City.

The Mekong Delta Culture-Tourism Week will kick off the 2016 Phu Quoc National Tourism Year that seeks to popularise culture and tourism of the Mekong Delta region.

The events aim to introduce, popularise and raise respect for the cultural values of the Mekong Delta, highlight tourism potential, call for investment and create a momentum for economic, cultural and social development of the provinces and cities in the delta.

The cultural events are expected to boost solidarity and interaction on experiences in organising cultural and tourism activities.

The cultural activities will include a traditional costume show, folk games, food promotion and a photo exhibition, besides a seminar and an exhibition on preservation of cultural heritage and tourism in the Mekong Delta in an attractive and sustainable manner.

The Viet Nam Culture and Arts Exhibition Centre, Museum of Viet Nam Ethnology and Viet Nam National Museum of History will participate by giving space for installations of farm tools and daily utensils.

The Mekong Delta region is considered to be the country's largest producer of rice and fruits.

The Mekong Delta Culture-Tourism Week will open with an art performance that is scheduled to be broadcast live on Viet Nam Television's Channel 1 on November 15. — VNS