Boats loaded with products from nearby orchards of
the Mekong Delta converge to the floating market. They carry mostly fruits but
also coconuts, vegetables and fishes.
Buyers are local traders with bigger boats snapping
everything by the bushels and resell at local markets or to wholesale dealers
from big cities, often for a handsome profit.
Large floating markets are not complete without its
floating restaurants, floating gas stations and an occasional tour boat filled
with tourists.
Perhaps the best floating market in the Mekong
Delta, Phong Dien has fewer motorised craft and more stand-up rowing boats.
It's less crowded than Cai Rang and there are far fewer tourists. The market is
at its bustling best between 6am and 8am.
It is theoretically possible to do a whirl-wind boat
trip here, visiting the small canals on the way and finishing back at the Cai
Rang floating market. This journey should take approximately five hours return
from Can Tho.