The Mekong is one of the longest rivers in Southeast Asia. It has its origins in Tibet. It flows across China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, where it dies. Its rich waters feed the fields in the Mekong Delta, where rice, vegetable and fruit are cultivated.
The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam's main tourist attractions. The delta lies 50 miles south of Saigon (70 km). In the Mekong Delta, tourists can do many excursions around its canals, where floating markets are still the place where locals exchange goods.
Cai Be Floating Market
This bustling river market is worth including on a boat tour from Vinh Long
It is opened from 5am to 5pm. It is best to go early in the morning. Wholesalers on big boats moor here, each specialising in one or a few types of fruit or vegetable. Customers cruise the market in smaller boats and can easily find what they're looking for, as the larger boats hang samples of their goods from tall wooden poles.
One interesting thing you won't see at other floating markets is the huge Catholic cathedral on the riverside - a popular and fantastic backdrop for photographs.
It takes about an hour to reach the market from Vinh Long, but most people make detours on the way there or back to see the canals or visit orchards.