Perhaps the biggest drawcard of the delta is its colourful floating markets, which are on the banks of wide stretches of river. Most market folk begin early to avoid the daytime heat, so try to visit between 6am and 8am. The tides, however, are also a factor as bigger boats must often wait until the water is high enough for them to navigate.
Some of the smaller, rural floating markets are disappearing, largely because of improved roads and access to private and public transport. Many of the larger markets near urban areas, however, are still going strong.
CAI BE FLOATING MARKET
This bustling river market is worth including on a boat tour from Vinh Long. It is best to go early in the morning. Wholesalers on big boats moor here, each specialising in one or a few types of fruit or vegetable. Customers cruise the market in smaller boats and can easily find what they're looking for, as larger boats hang samples of their goods from tall wooden poles.
One interesting thing you won't see at other floating markets is the huge Catholic cath edral on the riverside - a popular and fantastic backdrop for photographs.
It takes about an hour to reach the market from Vinh Long, but most people make detours on the way there or back to see the canals or visit orchards.
Cai Rang Floating Market
Just 6km from Can Tho in the direction of Soc Trang is Cai Rang, the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta. There is a bridge here thai serves as a great vantage point lor photography. The market is best before 9am, although some vendors hang out until noon, it's less lively by then.
Cai Rang can be seen from the road, but getting there is far more interesting by boat. From the market area in Can Tho it takes about an hour by river, or you can drive So the Cau Dau Sau boat landing (by the Dau Sau Bridge), from where it takes only about 10 minutes to reach the market.
Phung Hiep Floating Market
Until recently, the small town of Phung Hiep was notable for its eerie snake market. In 1998, however, a national law banned the capture and sale of snakes in an effort to control the rapidly multiplying rat population (due to a relative absence of snakes), which had been devastating rice crops. Snake sellers through out the country are now forced to operate underground.
These days the cages that used to swell with cobras and pythons are empty, and Phung Hiep is now just a regular market. There is a small-scale floating market under the bridge and boats can be hired here for a tour along the river.
Stork Garden ( Vuon Co)
On the road between Can Tho and Long Xuyen. Vuon Co is a 1.3-hectare stork sanctuary. It is a popular stop for group tours coming to view the thou sands of resident storks. There is a tall wooden viewing platform. The best times of day to see the birds are around dawn and dusk
