Life & Style
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| Make way: Boats full of fruits and tourists head to the same floating market. VNS Photo Trần Mai Hưởng |
by Trần Mai Hưởng
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.
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| Early risers: The peaceful landscape of the river starts to come alive in early morning. VNS Photo Trần Mai Hưởng |
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.
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| Breakfast: A man sells soya milk at the market. VNS Photo Lê Hương |
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.
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| Pick of the bunch: A trader sells fresh fruit from her boat. VNS Photo Trần Mai Hưởng |
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.
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| Local life: The market is a top destination for foreign tourists. VNS Photo Trần Mai Hưởng |
Together with those offering fruits, boats selling hot noodles, coffee and other snacks are busy serving customers.
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| Juggling: Vegetable sellers pass cabbages to one another. VNS Photo Lê Hương |
The hustle and bustle on the water increases as the sun rises.
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| Shopping day: Thousands of boats flock to the area. VNS Photo Trần Mai Hưởng |
The shopping session often ends at around 9am. — VNS
