The floating markets belong to the highlights of the Mekong delta, Vietnam. Each floating market has something in difference from others so you can be easy to choose the best option: Cai Rang, Phung Hiep, Cai Be or Nga Nam. These markets are central markets in the delta, where people can exchange fruit and vegetables from local production. However, tourists seem to be disappointed when coming to Cai Be, Cai Rang or Phung Hiep market due to mass tourism
+ Cai Rang in Can Tho is the most popular floating market located only a few kilometers from the city center of Can Tho and easy to combine with all tours. However, it is now more commercial than in the past because Can Tho has become a big city and the infrastructure has been considerately invested so the transportation by boat is limited.
+ Cai Be in Tien Giang: the market size is very small with a few boats. Because of the close distance from Ho Chi Minh city, Cai Be floating market become more and more touristy.
+ Phung Hiep in Can Tho has a different name “ Nga Bay”( (seven-way intersection), located only 30 km from Can Tho City. This market is more authentic than Cai Rang market, but still crowded with tourist.
So if you wish to explore one of the authentic and less travelled floating market, it is time to go to Nga Nam (five-way intersection) floating market in Soc Trang province.
Nga Nam is undoubtedly one of the most bustling floating markets in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. It is the convergent point of five rivers which flow into five different directions: onto Ca Mau, down from Phung Hien, through to Thanh Tri, in from Vinh Quoi and across from Long My. Although the accommodation there is very basic, many tourists are willing to accept the inconvenience and promise to come back for next coming.
Nga Nam floating maket opens all day but busiest early in the morning from 3 a.m to 8 a.m, when the sun is crawling up east and many locals are already there, ready for trading – boats after boats. You can find just almost anything – from rice, meat, fresh fruits and other staple to TV and electronic goods.
Highlights:
- Keep away from mass tourism
- Busy from sunrise to sunset, most bustling from 3am- 8am
- Preserve the original culture of floating market in the Mekong Delta
- Crowded with locals, trader, boats and goods
- Use a unique advertising method with the Beo tree in Vietnamese
- Easy to connect with other destinations
Nga Nam floating market is easy to connect with other destinations:
- Soc Trang – Nga Nam: 50km – 1h transfer
- Saigon – Nga Nam: 230km – 5-6h transfer
- Cai be – Nga Nam: 140km – 3h transfer
- Ben tre – Nga Nam: 155km – 3h transfer
- Tra Vinh – Nga Nam: 100km – 2.5h transfer
- Can Tho – Nga Nam: 70km – 1.5-2h transfer
- Rach Gia – Nga Nam: 100km – 2.5h transfer.