Cai Rang (Can Tho, Vietnam)
Also in Vietnam on the Mekong Delta is Cai Rang, one of the most popular floating markets among travelers. This is a vast collection of large riverboats, often lashed together, selling a wide variety of goods, where smaller row boats weave in and out of the larger vessels anchored in the river.
The majority of what's on offer here is seasonal goods - fruits, vegetables, and fish - and as with Cai Be, the colors and smells are impressive. The sheer scale of Cai Rang is what makes it worth a visit, especially if you want to compare it to other floating markets you've experienced in Southeast Asia.
Damnoen Saduak (Ratchaburi, Thailand)
Located in South of Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak market is the largest floating market in the Chao Phraya delta, where barges transporting food contrast with the dark and somber waters of the river. It is often considered the most famous floating market in Asia. Every day many tourists travel here to shop, eat and feel the atmosphere of historical Thai water markets. It is often described as a so-called tourist trap. For obvious reasons, considering the large numbers of tourists it welcomes daily.
Lok Baintan (Indonesia)
The Martapura River runs near the capital of the Indonesian town of Banjarmasin, also known as "The City of a Thousand Rivers". As in many other markets, women are the driving force of the place. They direct their boats, load and unload the goods, and are also in charge of showing and selling the product. Most people consider it a great place for shopping as well as getting to know the real people of the country, who are especially admired for their friendly nature.
Lake Tonle Sap (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
Not far from Siem Reap is Lake Tonle Sap, home to much more than just a floating market. Here you will find whole floating villages, as people and animals spend their whole lives on the water. The lake's water levels vary greatly throughout the year, so people have had to adapt their homes to move with the changing water levels. Here you can see floating schools, police stations, clinics, karaoke bars, and of course markets.
The best time to visit any of these markets is early morning before the produce runs out and the tourists begin to arrive. Get in touch today to talk to a member of our team to see how we can include a visit to a floating market in an existing or tailor-made trip to Southeast Asia.