Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho Vietnam • Chợ nổi Cái Răng (Board at Bến tàu khách du lịch, Tân An, Ninh Kiều, Cần Thơ)

When Han said to bring us to Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, my mind pictured those floating markets that I have seen before. Actually, only in Thailand - in Hatyai. Food and market stalls on boats lined up neatly at designated berths and customers walking around on the jetty.

Can Tho Cái Răng's floating market's format turned out to be a ~~little~~ lot different - it's an eye opener for me.

We were at Bến tàu khách du lịch, Tân An, Ninh Kiều, Cần Thơ (Tourist wharf, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho) at 6am 🤭 It was already broad daylight on this early June morning.

Boarded one of the little river boats.

We launched into the river.

We passed many similar (tourist) boats like ours and under a few bridges. I thought we were just making our way to the floating market with boat stalls neatly parked / moored in their designated berths in a row.

Then, about 30 minutes into our boat ride, a small boat loaded with fruits pulled up alongside. The lady at the bow leaned forward with rope and a large iron hook.

She hooked our two boats together. Her moves were practiced and seasoned, so smooth and precise, it would make any Special Operations soldier proud 😮

Before I knew it, our boats were lashed together, and she was hawking her boat load of fruits to us 👍

Next, a ninja floating cafe caught us 😮

The floating coffee shop had a full range menu from fresh fruit juices to brewed coffee and tea, hot and iced drinks. Hey.. beats those drinks stalls that sell cordial, can drinks, and instant "Nescafe" coffee hands down!

The robust Robusta was traditional sock brewed. What more can we ask for, right?

Mission accomplished, the cafe boat released its lock and slipped away as quickly as it came.

At the next moment, the noodle soup boat showed up.

Each bowl of noodle soup was freshly made, piping hot.

Calm and steady, rules the waves.

We were blessed as the weather was cloudy (so, not so hot), and winds were still (so, calm waters).

It only started to rain when we were back on land.

Anyway, our pork noodle soup was exemplary even though it was boat based. It was not short on ingredients, flavours, nor even cooking process (no shortcuts).

Breakfast on the river cruise - only at Chợ nổi Cái Răng.

Another "Navy seal" approaching.

She sells steamed meat buns (siew bao 烧包).

Tourist (shopper) boat surrounded / swarmed by market (seller) boats.

Han said twenty years ago, there were many more market boats. However, many market boats had shifted their businesses ashore. The convenience of shopping centres, supermarkets, and shore based shops well served by roads have drawn businesses and customers off the river.

The water / floating market today rely heavily on tourists.

Our boat took us to a couple of obligatory shopping stops along the river. But, there was no hard sell nor any pressure to buy anything. Just look see, look see the wide range of local made food products, handicraft and buy if it catches your fancy.