Cai Be Floating Market

McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0

A long-established floating market on the Tien River, where boats bustle from dawn trading fruit and Mekong specialties.

Cai Be Floating Market was once among the busiest floating markets in the Mekong Delta, sitting at a river junction bordering Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre. From the first dim light, hundreds of boats laden with fruit and vegetables gather, each hoisting a beo pole hung with dangling samples of its wares. The rumble of engines, the laughter and the aroma of steaming hu tieu from vendor boats create a lively river scene. Visitors ride small boats threading through the market, buy fresh fruit and feel the distinctly Mekong rhythm of trade preserved through generations.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Cai Be Floating Market?

Year-round, early morning is when the market is busiest

How long do you need at Cai Be Floating Market?

2-3 hours

What are the opening hours of Cai Be Floating Market?

Market runs 04:00 - 08:00 daily

Did you know

It sits at a river junction bordering the three provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre.
Boats use a beo pole to display the goods on offer.
It is one of the earliest floating markets formed in the southwestern Mekong region.
It specializes in wholesale fruit, vegetables and delta specialties.

Travel tips

Go between 5 and 7 a.m. to see the floating market at its busiest.
Combine your visit with nearby coconut-candy workshops and riverside craft villages.