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CAI BE FLOATING MARKET - Coggle Diagram
CAI BE FLOATING MARKET
HISTORY OF CAI BE FLOATING MARKET
Cai Be, Cai Rang, Phung Hiep and Phong Dien Floating Market make the four largest and busiest markets in Mekong Delta.
Cai Be market was said to originate from the early trading activities by residents from the Central of the country. They have founded the land and settled down here since the 17th century.
However, some might argue that Cai Be was established during the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century.
HOW TO GET TO CAI BE FLOATING MARKET
Cai Be Floating Market is situated in the area where the Tien River meets the 3 provinces, Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre.
From Ho Chi Minh City, it will take you roughly 2 hours to travel by car to the wharf, followed by a one-hour boat ride.
You will either buy a boat ticket (sharing a boat with other passengers) or rent a whole boat for your group.
A two-hour trip ticket will cost from 40,000 VND to 80,000 VND, but if you rent a whole boat it can be much more expensive (above 600,000 VND).
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN CAI BE FLOATING MARKET?
Witnessing well-placed piles of fruits and veggies on boat
The trading boats will gather from 3am for the wholesaling activities. The very first activities of the day is to transport fruits and vegetables from the mainland, and to rearrange them in an appealing way.
You will see well-placed piles of fruits and vegetables of all sorts and colors.
Each boat will specialize in a few types, which they will hang on a tall wooden pole, the symbol of southern floating markets. This pole is called a “beo” in Vietnamese, used to indicate what they sell on the boats.
Mingling in the sound of trading activities
While some boats are equipped with modern engines, some might still use a pair of traditional paddles. That’s the best part of being here: mingling in the sound of water, paddles, engines and bargaining voices.
Whenever you pass by a boat, the owners will eagerly invite you to make some purchases in a lovely accent. A small sample will always be granted to give you a taste of what they sell.
Fill your stomach with local food
Banh canh, Hu tieu, Banh xeo are the most exquisite and worth-trying cuisines in the neighborhood. Smoothies and coffee are also available for your preference.
Eating and drinking might be a bit more difficult than usual due to the instability of the boat, which actually makes the experience more fun and memorable.
It’s an art of living that the locals have well mastered: they eat, sleep, hang out and basically live their life on water. It’s their mobile houses and an inseparable part of their life.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CAI BE FLOATING MARKET
Like most other floating markets in Vietnam, Cai Be “wakes up” in the very early morning. Though the busiest time lasts from 4am to 6am, you can find boats gathering since 3am.
At sunrise, the market will be at its best, boasting its vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables, and the clattering sound of water, chatter and engines.
If you seek an authentic experience in the south of Vietnam, getting up early is the only choice. There will be absolutely nothing left after 8am.
TIPS ON VISITING CAI BE FLOATING MARKET
The boat rides will be somewhat rough and shaky, especially the traditional ones. Make sure you’re not a seasick type.
Put on enough sunscreens and insect repellant. Dress properly with light clothes, as it might get a bit cold early in the morning, and then very hot after 9 am. Bring along a hat.
Double check the price and stopping points before you hop on any boat.
Don’t forget to take photos of a huge Catholic cathedral on the riverside, which will look best on photos taken from afar.
10 HIGHTED NEW WORDS WITH MEANING FOR
EACH
(RESIDENT: cư dân): Cu Lao Pho was once a bustling place for Chinese residents.
(SUNRISE: bình minh): In the countryside, it will be easier to see the sunrise than in the city.
(CLATTER: chuyện luyên thuyên): What I like most about the countryside is hearing the clatter of the neighbors talking from morning to night.
(PASSENGERS: hành khách): At eco-tourism areas in the Mekong Delta (Con Lan, Con Quy,...), passengers will be able to visit the river countryside landscape by dinghy.
(VIBRANT: rực rỡ): On the evening of the full moon day of the eighth lunar month (Mid-Autumn Festival), children will hold vibrant color lanterns to walk together throughout the villages.
(EXQUISITE: tinh tế): My Long rice paper and Son Doc puff pastry are two specialties made extremely exquisite by professional rice paper bakers in Ben Tre province.
(WORTH-TRYING: đáng thử): Cao Lanh mango, Lai Vung spring roll, Hoa An plum,... are specialties worth-trying if tourists have the opportunity to come to Dong Thap.
(INSEPARATE: không thể chia lìa): Even though there are countless difficulties, it is still inseparate the feelings of Nguu Lang and Chuc Nu.
(WHOLESALE: hàng sỉ, đầu mối): Wholesale markets are places that wholesale goods and supply goods to markets in districts and communes.
(PADDLE: chèo): Paddle Ong Doc River, we didn't have time to reach Ca Mau market at night. Boats and boats go on non-stop day and night, Ca Mau people are extremely cute.