It’s 5am. A cool breeze accompanies the rising sun in the middle of the flooding season. The peaceful landscape of the river starts to come alive, while boats begin to fill with tourists along Ninh Kiều Wharf. All vessels are heading for the same destination – Cái Răng Floating Market.

Boats full of fruits and tourists head to the same floating market. 

The peaceful landscape of the river starts to come alive in early morning. 

Leaving Ninh Kiều Wharf, we travel along the tributaries of the Ba Láng and Cái Răng rivers, going under bridges which are full of vehicles early in the morning. Eventually, a sign hung from a bridge welcomed us to the famous floating market.

A man sells soya milk at the market. 

Cái Răng Floating Market is one of the three biggest wholesale markets in Cần Thơ. Located 6km from the city centre, the market offers fruit, vegetables and other delicacies from around the region. Traders sell their wares right on the water. Boats carrying tropical fruits like mango, grapefruit, orange and durian come from miles around.

A trader sells fresh fruit from her boat. 

The market, which was created when the local roads had still not been built, is still a popular trading hub. Now also a popular tourist destination, visitors come to see and understand the life of people in the Mekong Delta.

The market is a top destination for foreign tourists. 

Together with those offering fruits, boats selling hot noodles, coffee and other snacks are busy serving customers.

Vegetable sellers pass cabbages to one another. 

The hustle and bustle on the water increases as the sun rises.

Thousands of boats flock to the area. 

The shopping session often ends at around 9am. 

Tran Mai Huong/VNS