Can Tho will hold Cai Rang Floating Market Festival from July 8-9, according to an announcement from Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as part of activities in response to Viet Nam Tourism Day.
Activities to be held include a photo display on ‘The Beauty of Cai Rang Floating Market’, a model boat display, a fruit carving contest, and amateur music performances.
Le Minh Son, Deputy Director of Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that on the occasion, Can Tho will promote and introduce the province’s tourism products, traditional products, cuisine and fruits.
On July 9, the province will hold a ceremony to receive a certificate in recognition of the Cai Rang Floating Market as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Can Tho has also taken measures to accelerate the approval of the “project to preserve and upgrade the Cai Rang Floating Market”. The city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched 5,000 flyers in a bid to enhance the awareness of environmental protection and traffic safety on waterways among local traders, tourists and residents. Other incentives have been offered to facilitate household businesses and traders in the market.
The Cai Rang Floating Market first appeared 100 years ago, becoming a destination for consumers of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta region.
Apart from selling fruits and vegetables from the district, it also offers special agricultural products from neighbouring provinces. The region's food, specialties and handicraft products are also sold at the market.
The market is open every day from 4am to 9am, and attracts nearly 300 boats daily. During festivals and holidays, up to 500 boats a day visit the 1 km-long floating market. The market normally attracts about 500-700 local and foreign tourists each day.