A floating market inside a modern city

A floating market inside a modern city

When it comes to floating markets, people will immediately think of the peaceful Mekong Delta where southerners attach their rustic lives to boats and waterways.

But in a noisy and dynamic Saigon, there are still some floating markets existing along Binh Dong Wharf and Tran Van Kieu Wharf in District 8, and Lo Gom Wharf in District 6.

Similar to the Mekong Delta region, the products for sale at these markets are not delicacies and luxury items but everyday products. However, the boats at the city’s floating markets do not move around to find customers as at Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho City or Cai Be floating market in Tien Giang Province. They stay put to sell products transported from Mekong Delta provinces to city dealers and customers.

Among the city’s floating markets, the most bustling one is the fruit market at Tran Van Kieu Wharf. Dozens of boats gather at the wharf selling typical fruits of the delta such as banana, coconut, orange and pomelo.

Ba Le, a 56-year-old trader from the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, says she has attached her life to the boat, which is also her home, for more than 10 years, and most traders at this floating market have done the job for almost half of their lives.

“This boat belongs to Tai and his wife. Coming from Vinh Long Province, the couple has spent almost 20 years at the fl oating market,” Le says, pointing at a boat full of coconuts sailing next to her boat.

Fruits sold at Tran Van Kieu floating market mostly come from farming households in the delta. Chien, another trader from Ben Tre Province, says he and his wife have been selling dried coconuts and bananas from Ben Tre for 17 years and mostly spending their time on board the boat.

Like many other floating market vendors, Chien equips his boat with a cassette/radio player, and a television set. Some even have motorbikes on board their boats so that they can use them to move around, he says.

Traders at Tran Van Kieu Wharf are mostly from Vinh Long, An Giang and Tien Giang, which have the largest fruit farms in the southern region.

They mostly supply their products for dealers at An Dong and Cho Lon markets, and small retailers. If buyers look for high-quality fruits at reasonable prices, this market can be a reliable source.

No one can tell how long these floating markets can last but at the moment, they still do good business and give a peaceful and rustic touch to the modern city.

Source: SGT

Bài viết liên quan

	Serene Lung Tam Village Nestled under the foot of hills in Quan Ba District in Ha Giang Province, Lung Tam Village attracts many travelers from near and far owing to its astonishing landscape and serenity and Mong ethnic minority women in colorful attire. Detail >>

	Twelve artefacts gain new status The Prime Minister just signed a decision to bestow the title of "national treasure" to 12 objects of unique national heritage. Here's the rundown of the newly recognised treasure. Detail >>

	Ninh Binh organizes many activities to honor Trang An Landscape Complex (TITC) - From 22 to 24 January 2015, in Ninh Binh City and districts of Gia Vien, Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh Province), many activities will be organized to honor Trang An Landscape Complex, the highlight of which is the certificate receiving ceremony for Trang An as World Cultural and Natural Heritage... Detail >>

	Viet Nam Cultural Week runs in Cyprus Viet Nam launched a Cultural Week in Limassol city in the Republic of Cyprus on January 18, which has since received high praise from international friends. Detail >>

	Three highland attractions during New Year holidays Sa Pa, Da Lat and Mai Chau are considered most attractive destinations for tourists during New Year holidays thanks to their natural beauty, fresh air and peaceful environment. Detail >>

	Ninh Binh opens National Tourism Year 2015 Ninh Binh province has kicked off the National Tourism Year 2015 celebrating Vietnam’s eight World Heritage sites under the theme–Connecting the World Heritage–with an exhibition at the Bai Dinh Pagoda. Detail >>

	Conference discusses sustainable development in heritage preservation An international conference discussing policies which incorporate sustainable development in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention took place in the northern province of Ninh Binh on January 22. Detail >>

	Festival in Da Nang brings Thai guests A performance troupe from Thailand will take part in the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Festival on Son Tra peninsula, central Da Nang city, on April 5-7, according to the organising board. Detail >>

	Hanoi to host craft villages’ exhibition Hanoi’s traditional craft villages, with their centuries old cultural values and techniques passed down from generation to generation, have become increasingly popular with tourists. Detail >>

	Human resources play key role in tourism development Vietnam’s tourism sector has decided to prioritise human resources development in an effort to diversify the industry, the Vietnam Economic News reported. Detail >>