No longer a place on the wharf - under the boat, the boats moored at Cai Rang floating market mostly sell breakfast, hot soy milk, odd fruits... and some floating rafts sell souvenirs and regional products. , mainly serving visitors.
During her 42 years working as a boat driver on the floating market, Ms. Bay (67 years old) used to carry goods but switched to carrying tourists to meet practical needs. “I and many merchants here mainly live off tourists. Every day the floating market is crowded with tourists, I'm lucky to be able to find a ferry, but every day it's not, it's like I don't have any money," Ms. Bay confided.
In fact, floating markets are now being exploited by merchants as a tourism product. However, many tourists report that tourism products here are poor and not really attractive enough to retain.
Ms. Do Thi Nga, a Hanoi tourist, shared that after visiting Cai Rang floating market, she had an indescribable feeling of disappointment. “I feel like everything here is quite boring, so I only experienced it once and have no intention of coming again. There are a few floating rafts with traditional occupations of making noodles, coconut candy and selling souvenirs. As for breakfast, there are only a few familiar dishes, with no unique cuisine," Ms. Nga said regretfully.
From Kien Giang to Can Tho to explore the floating market, Ms. Pham Thanh Thao was disappointed: "I went to the floating market but didn't know what to buy to bring back, because most of them were consumer goods available on the shore, such as dried food or food." packaged products... I think there is no need to go to the floating market to buy."
Besides, many tourists also complain about solicitation of tourists, products sold at relatively high prices, especially waste in the river ... unintentionally losing points in their eyes.
Sharing with Lao Dong, Mr. Nham Hung - Southern Cultural Researcher - commented that at present, Cai Rang floating market, on the one hand, has reduced trade, on the other hand, it welcomes tourists from all parts of the country, including Vietnam. foreign visitors every day. Tourists come here first of all to immerse themselves in floating market life and enjoy floating market culture; Next is sightseeing, shopping, and enjoying tourist products here.
"However, when we come and see the fading of floating market culture and poor tourism products, of course tourists are no longer interested, and the possibility of upcoming tours will also gradually decrease," he said. Mr. Hung said.
According to Mr. Hung, Cai Rang floating market is a national intangible cultural heritage, so visitors will have certain expectations when coming to the floating market, but it seems that the floating market is being spontaneously lost, lacking information. rescue hand.
At the 16th session of Can Tho City People's Council, term Can Tho - information, Cai Rang floating market is a typical tourism product of the city, but with the development trend of society also being significantly affected, it is inevitable that there will be mixed opinions from tourists. The Department has coordinated with Cai Rang district to implement the project, organize promotional activities, tourism festivals, and support boats...
