Embark with Mekong Tours on an unforgettable journey to the enchanted Phong Dien Floating Market-one of the best-kept secrets among the wonders of the Mekong Delta. While Cai Rang Market could be busier, Phong Dien is more authentic and intimate, unspoiled by mass tourism. You will capture here, in every breath, the local rhythm of the people’s lives: fruits and delicious local food on selling scenes, floating markets. This is not purely a seeing trip but one that feels the rhythm of the river connects you to the community with taste and flavor truly from the Mekong. Embark on an exciting journey to discover one of the richest cultures, warm hospitality, and hidden treasures from Phong Dien Floating Market. These are adventures that will take you through the heart of the Mekong!
Phong Dien Floating Market
Let me show you why Phong Dien Floating Market is a must-see, and it should be a topping in your Mekong Tours adventure list. Tucked away just 17 kilometers from the city of Can Tho, Phong Dien Floating Market is more intimate and authentic, with the chance for you to get deep into the local culture of the Mekong Delta area. Unlike the more popular Cai Rang market, Phong Dien remains somewhat clear of mass tourism, hence it gives one a true insight into the lives of the river traders who call the place home.
Located on the poetic Hau River, Phong Dien Floating Market is quite approachable by boat; the trip to the market itself is highly exciting. For this, we start very early in the morning from Ninh Kieu Pier and glide down the river to approach the vivid scene where all kinds of boats gather together, trading and sharing their commodities. It’s a serene getaway from those so-called more usual places that tourists visit, giving very much a real taste of the charm of the Mekong Delta.
While Cai Rang is arguably the most-visited floating market in the area, it is often crowded and rushy. On the contrary, Phong Dien Floating Market is more laid-back and personal. You will find fewer people catered to tourism, but rather a very easy-going atmosphere where locals go about their daily undertakings. This market operates well into the afternoon, unlike most others that wind down by mid-morning, allowing for a more leisurely exploration.
Experience the Early Morning Magic
Imagining Phong Dien Floating Market as a riot of color, sound, and smell upon an early morning arrival is thus fit. The market hustles and bustles with active trade in fresh products like juicy tropical fruits down to aromatic herbs and vegetables. But this is not just about fruits and vegetables! You will also find everything from household goods to local crafts, and even some preparation of delicious breakfast dishes right on the boats. Just think-steaming pho or banh mi intermingling aromas with the scents of fresh fruit; a true feast for the senses!
Authentic Interactions with Local Vendors
The real highlight of Phong Dien Floating Market is the friendly interaction with local sellers. It will be a great opportunity here to speak to traders who have worked these waters for generations. Learn about their peculiar customs, their way of life, and what fantastical stories have shaped the culture of the Mekong Delta. It is not just a marketplace, but a place where every boat has a tale and every vendor wears a great smile to welcome you.
05:00 AM – Departure from Ninh Kieu Pier
Ninh Kieu Pier
Rise and shine! This adventure begins bright and early at Ninh Kieu Pier, where you’ll meet your friendly guide and fellow travelers. In the morning mist, which rises from the river, we assemble for a brief introduction; to get to know all of us and what a great day awaits us. Then we will jump into our private boat, ready to go on the sail to that magical trip to the Phong Dien Floating Market. You can already feel the anticipation in the air when the boat engines start humming!
06:00 AM – River Cruise to Phong Dien Floating Market
As we cruise up the serene Hau River, take this opportunity to appreciate the serene surroundings of the Mekong Delta. The soft breeze, the verdant banks, and the punctuated bird songs make this river travel unforgettable. Your guide will regale you with fascinating stories about the culture and history of the Mekong Delta, setting the stage for the wonders awaiting us at the Phong Dien Floating Market. Don’t ever forget your camera – this is a time to shoot real pictures of a beautiful sunrise over the river!
06:30 AM – Arrival at Phong Dien Floating Market
Welcome to the heart of Phong Dien Floating Market! As our boat draws near, catch a glimpse of vibrant scenes unfolding akin to unfurled canvas: boats of all shapes and sizes alighting with fresh fruits, vegetables, and all sorts of local produce. Full of energies, chirps by friendly locals, and hues of colors greet you with the display of the produce. You’ll be given some time to look around, talk to the vendors, and get an initial feeling for what can be described as one of the most authentic floating markets in all of the Mekong Delta. Come see for yourself how local commerce thrives literally atop these waters-it’s truly a sensual experience!
07:30 AM – Breakfast on the Floating Café
After going through all the sights and sounds of the Market, it is time for a sumptuous breakfast right on the river. Our floating café is a unique dining experience where you will be able to savor freshly prepared local delicacies. You may enjoy a steaming bowl of Pho or Hu Tieu, take a bite in a crispy Banh Mi, or try Pandan Sticky Rice while gently floating on the water. Savor a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee amidst a bustling market life in front of you. This is having breakfast, but different!
Pandan Sticky Rice
08:30 AM – Visit to Muoi Cuong Cocoa Garden
Further on, we continue the Muoi Cuong Cocoa Garden true find for chocolate lovers. Here one will be told about amazing production processes using beans and their treatment until turning them into bars. You will walk around the groves of cacao, learn how it is harvested and processed, and taste the different kinds of products prepared with cacao: chocolate, wine, and cocoa butter. An educative yummy experience, it is considered one of the perfect stops on our Mekong Tours!
10:30 AM – Leisure Time at Lung Cot Cau Eco-Tourism Area
Time to have fun and relax at the Lung Cot Cau Eco-Tourism Area. Participate in local games such as walking on monkey bridges, rowing boats, or picking fresh fruits right from the trees. Just take in the natural beauty of the area, breathe freshness in, and shutter some great views of the green surroundings. This is the place where you can feel the real charm of the Mekong Delta’s countryside.
12:00 PM – Lunch at a Riverside Restaurant
After all that excitement, it’s time to refuel with a delicious lunch at a riverside restaurant. Sample a variety of Mekong Delta delicacies, from crispy Elephant Ear Fish to flavorful Lau Mam-fermented fish hotpot, to fresh Lotus Stem Salad. Every single bite speaks to the local taste prepared with fresh and local ingredients only. Take in the breathtaking view of the river while you dine, lean back, and relax.
01:30 PM – Visit to Traditional Craft Villages
Sated, we continue with visits to some of the traditional crafts villages in the area: rice paper, coconut candy, and other handmade items viewed firsthand by skilled artisans blowing their concoctions. Why not try making some yourself the best way to interact with the locals and maybe even take home a souvenir or two that you’ve made yourself.
03:30 PM – Return to Can Tho
We start our leisurely boat ride back to Can Tho. Take some time to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures. We watch as the sun commences to set in the sky, casting an appealing glow over the river. The perfect tranquil waters add to the beautiful scenery that brings a close to perfection for our tour.
05:00 PM – Tour Ends at Ninh Kieu Pier
We send you back to Ninh Kieu Pier exactly at sunset. This happens to be a place of goodbyes, not without having a few last shots of the camera, and sharing jolly laughter with newfound friends. We hope the Mekong River Journey to the Phong Dien Floating Market gave you fab memories and a priceless look back at the dynamic culture of the Mekong Delta. Until next time, happy travels!
Right, guys! Before venturing into the busy world of Phong Dien Floating Market, let me give you some helpful tips so that your Mekong Tours will be truly unforgettable!
It is recommended to come very early into the morning to view the Phong Dien Floating Market in all its vibrancy. The market starts very early in the morning, and the best time to hold your camera for the busiest and most colorful scenes of the market is from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM. The early hours give a fresh and cool atmosphere with an amazing sunrise across the perfect background to your photos! You will also get a chance to experience the locals in action, very energetic and enthusiastic while trading their goods. So, setting that alarm clock early will be well worth it!
Comfort goes together with the views of Phong Dien Floating Market! Light, breathable clothes are recommended to help you deal with the hot tropical climate. Still, don’t forget sunscreen to prevent your skin from strong rays-particularly the sun can be aggressive even during early hours. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are basic things meant to avoid sun exposure. And of course, bring a camera or smartphone-you wouldn’t want to miss all the vibrant sights and colorful life of the market!
Your safety is at the heart of all that we do, and that necessitates a modicum of comity on this adventure that is the Mekong Tours! Drink enough water; it can get quite warm in the Mekong Delta, so remember to bring a refillable water bottle. Always wear a life jacket when getting aboard the boat; it is there to keep you safe and comfortable. Be very careful with every step with grace while getting between boats or onto floating platforms because the surfaces are slippery. And remember, our team is always here to help and guide you, so don’t hesitate to ask if you have any concerns.
Pack wisely to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip! Here’s what we recommend bringing along:
Muoi Cuong Cocoa Garden
For an unforgettable adventure to Phong Dien Floating Market, Impress Travel would be your ideal choice. Leading in providing Mekong Delta Tours with a good reputation, Impress Travel’s local guides specialize in creating authentic experiences right into the heart of the Mekong. The guides are professional but above all passionate, hosts of the rich culture and history of the region.
Besides custom-made itineraries according to your interest, smooth organization, and deep commitment to sustainable tourism will be benefits when you book a tour with Impress Travel. We also take full advantage of working with local communities to widely promote eco-friendly practices and support local businesses to make your journey leave positive impacts. Our tours are tailor-made for those who want real experiences beyond the ‘beaten track’ to have more connections with people and places you will pay a visit to.
Join hundreds of satisfied travelers who have enjoyed Impress Travel on their Mekong Tours! Are you ready to board this journey of fulfillment? Contact us at (+84) 912 379 189, or visit our website through Impress Travel to book a tour of the Phong Dien Floating Market today! Let’s create unforgettable memories together!
Discover the beauty in the Mekong Delta in our unforgettable trip to Phong Dien Floating Market. Be deep in the colorful life of the floating market, taste the local food, and catch up with friendly inhabitants to create a different cultural exchange. Don’t delay, book your place on our Mekong Tours now! The Mekong Delta is waiting for you! Don’t forget to regularly follow our IMPRESS TRAVEL for more interesting information about traveling Mekong to and to book Mekong Tours at the best prices.
What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Can Tho, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Cai Be
What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel breakfast, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Can Tho
| Hotels in Can Tho | ||
| Star | Hotel | Room Type |
| 3-Star hotel in Can Tho | Hau Giang Hotel | Superior |
| 4-Star hotel in Can Tho | Muong Thanh Hotel | Superior |
| 5-Star hotel in Can Tho | Victoria Hotel | Superior |
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
