A unusual and slightly crazy shopping experience
There are hundreds of floating markets throughout the Mekong Delta region. To truly experience one of these unusual markets at its best, it's essential that you arrive as early as possible. The early bird most definitely catches the worm when it comes to shopping ‘Delta style’!
Fruits, such as mangosteen, durian, papaya, mango, guava and jackfruit (all grown in nearby orchards) are stacked in precarious piles on the bobbing boats, along with fresh fish, vegetables and ‘fast’ food, like steamed buns.
Most of the goods are bought by wholesalers, who resell to local markets and dealers in the big cities. This doesn't mean you won't get the chance to practise a little bartering for yourself!
With a motorised sampan instead of a shopping trolley, you’ll be thankful for your local skipper, who’ll navigate the disordered aisles with nifty skill. This truly is a crazy experience - you'll come away amazed that it didn't all end in a huge pile up.
Such an early start requires you spending the previous night in either My Tho or, better still, Can Tho. The nearby Cai Rang market is our absolute favourite (there are other markets close enough to Ho Chi Minh City to make a day trip possible, but you have to question their authenticity) and is just 20 minutes by sampan from your Can Tho hotel.