In recent years, besides pre-designed tours, many international tourists when coming to Cai Rang Floating Market (Cai Rang ward, Can Tho) tend to rent small boats from local people to explore the canal system around the market area.
According to records, the canal routes connecting the floating market attract many international tourists thanks to bringing a close experience to the lives of riverine residents. Instead of just stopping at trading activities on the floating market, many tourists want to go deep into the small canals to observe the daily life of the people.
Each boat tour is about 7 km long, weaving through canals shaded by water coconut trees. On both banks are houses close together, boats anchored in front of the porch. Visitors can witness the scene of people transporting agricultural products, tidying up boats, preparing goods for a new trip. The pace of life is simple but bustling, creating the characteristics of the river region.
Mr. Nguyen Van Viet (50 years old), the owner of a passenger boat for many years, said that the number of international tourists choosing this form of sightseeing is increasing.
They not only want to see floating markets but also want to learn how people live and trade. When entering small canals, they often ask about living habits, income sources and the lives of people," Mr. Viet shared.
According to Mr. Viet, income from transporting tourists ranges from 300,000-400,000 VND per day, depending on the distance and number of visitors. At peak hours, boats operate continuously from early morning. On canal routes, dozens of households participate in this service, considering it an important source of income besides trading or gardening.
Not only bringing economic benefits, the experience tourism form by small boats also contributes to promoting the image of river culture to international friends. Many tourists expressed their excitement when witnessing the real life firsthand, recording images of daily life and interacting with local people.
According to some households, the good news is that tourists are increasingly interested in local cultural values instead of just visiting on a fixed schedule. The change in the need for experience is opening up more opportunities for community tourism development, and at the same time helping people along the canal to have more conditions to improve their lives.
The fact that international tourists choose to explore canals and ditches around the floating market shows the sustainable attraction of Can Tho river tourism. In the context of tourism recovery and development, small boats weaving through each canal are becoming a bridge to bring the image of the Mekong Delta closer to international tourists.
