THROUGH THE TEETH – GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF CAN THO

Referring to the very typical culture of the Mekong Delta, it is impossible not to mention the floating market, a unique type of market that perhaps no other region in our country has. In which  , Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho  is the busiest and most typical market, voted by the UK’s Rough Guide as one of the 10 most impressive markets in the world, and the famous tourist website Youramazingplaces. Also voted as one of the 5 most beautiful and interesting floating markets in Asia. On March 10, 2016,  Cai Rang floating market  was officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage according to Decision No. 829/QD-BVHTTDL.

Means to go to Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang floating market is located on a tributary of the Hau river flowing through Cai Rang district, Can Tho city, about 6 km from the center of Can Tho city. About 15 minutes by road, and 30 minutes by boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf.

By road, you run along Vo Tanh road to Ba Lang canal, towards Phong Dien district, about 500m from Cai Rang bridge. But most tourists in Can Tho, when visiting Cai Rang Floating Market, choose a boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf, because when traveling by boat, they can fully feel the beauty of the river. Depending on the number of groups, you can choose option one is to join on a large ship. The second is to rent a boat to go to Cai Rang Floating Market separately. Contact the ship owner to rent a phone: 0292 3819 219   /  0292 6265 888 .

The journey of sitting on the boat weaving through the canals to reach Cai Rang floating market is also very interesting. You have the opportunity to admire the charming scenery on both sides of the river with soaring green coconut groves and small cottages nestled. The scene of people’s activities on both sides of the river that plays out like a documentary running against you is rich and strange, but creates a very peaceful feeling.

About Cai Rang Floating Market

Like many other floating markets in the West such as Cai Be floating market (Tien Giang), Nga Nam floating market (Soc Trang) or Long Xuyen floating market (An Giang)… so far, there is no document that can identify the market. What year was Cai Rang floating? According to some researchers, Cai Rang Floating Market was formed in the early years of the 20th century, before the appearance of Nga Bay (Hau Giang) and Nga Nam (Soc Trang) floating markets. The market was born because of the essential needs of people when daily life is associated with the river topography.

With a name that is both interesting and strange, it is a delight for many people who are curious as to why the market is called Cai Rang, what Cai Rang means and who gave that name to the floating market. Explaining the name “Cai Rang”, people in Can Tho tell a legend as follows. Accordingly, the name Cai Rang comes from the story of the beginning of the time of reclaiming and setting up hamlets. Legend tells of a crocodile with a very large body washed here, its teeth plugged into this mouth of the earth. Since then, when the floating market was formed, people used the name Cai Rang to name the floating market. However, according to some research documents, the name Cai Rang is derived from the Khmer word “karan” which means “ca rang” (the apple). Khmer people in Xa Ton (Tri Ton) make a lot of karan and sell it everywhere to serve in the preparation of dishes, especially they sell a lot in this Can Tho river area.

Time to go to Cai Rang floating market

Cai Rang Floating Market was held very early, when the sky was still foggy on the river, hundreds of boats from all over the river were bustling to come to the floating market. Therefore, the ideal time to travel to Cai Rang Floating Market, whether booking a tour or self-sufficient, is ideally from 5 am to 8 am, this is when the market is the busiest.

You will be overwhelmed by the scene of dozens of boats parked close to each other, covering the whole river with bustling trading activities, the atmosphere is extremely bustling and joyful with a Western flavor.

To experience the bustling atmosphere and visit the beautiful scenery at Cai Rang floating market, you can go any season of the year according to your free time. In addition, if you want to discover a special season that is only available in the West, you should come here between mid-August and late November. This period is when the West welcomes you. The flood season is also known as the flood season.

The market is not active and operates very little on the days of the Lunar New Year (the 1st and 2nd of the New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month).

What does Cai Rang Floating Market have?

The market is located on the waterway of Can Tho river – Xa No canal, so it is very convenient for trading and trading with neighboring provinces and the whole Mekong Delta. This is the reason Cai Rang floating market has the largest and busiest scale compared to other floating markets in the region. Goods at Cai Rang floating market are very diverse, almost without any shortage of items, the main products are fruits and specialties of the Mekong Delta region, in addition, there are also handicrafts, goods. necessities to food service, drinks, coffee…

Especially in the last days of the year, Cai Rang floating market is even more prominent when wearing a new shirt from brilliant flowers.

In order for distant customers to know what products they are selling, the seller hangs that product on the bow of the boat called a “tree”. This form of “shopping” is a unique trade culture that only floating markets have – a way of advertising products without noise and haste, but bringing visitors and customers interesting things. own taste.

The market meets on the river, so if you want to buy goods and visit, you have to sit on canoes. Coming to the market, you can just relax and enjoy the cool breeze while enjoying a variety of fruits and Southern-style rustic dishes such as banh tet, orange cake, little cake, banh soup, and vermicelli dishes. , vermicelli … And even though it is a river trade, the ingredients are still prepared as diverse and complete as on the shore. The drink menu is also very diverse such as: soy milk, black coffee, milk coffee, coconut water, teas… with very affordable prices.

The dishes on Cai Rang floating market are simple and rustic but still retain the soul of the Western culinary culture that has not been lost for hundreds of years.

Due to the nature of a floating market and all activities take place on boats and on rivers, all items are simplified to the maximum. Eating here, you don’t have a chair, no table, but sometimes it’s simply a long wooden bar spanning the two sides of the boat, the boat has the ideal table to enjoy the food.

Sitting on the boat, in the middle of the vast river, eating a bowl of noodle soup, hot crab vermicelli or soup cake, with a cup of sweet and bitter coffee will be experiences that make you unforgettable.

 

 

Walking around the market, you will see many boats loaded with attractive fruits such as mangoes, durians, watermelons, pineapples, mangosteens, etc. going up and down the river. Don’t forget to buy some typical river fruit as a gift, friends.

Formed for a very long time more than 100 years, and facing the appearance of countless dry markets as well as large commercial centers, Cai Rang floating market still retains its inherent features. Therefore, this place is definitely an interesting destination for those who love discovery, novelty, and want to learn about the culture of the Southern river region.