Can Tho
Can Tho is a thriving metropolis with huge streets, little
action and loads of mosquitoes. Although Can Tho has its own market by the
riverside where you can buy some excellent ice-cream, the principal attraction
would have to be the nearby floating markets. Being rather industrious, the
centre of Can Tho is quite busy and noisy with motorized cyclos roaring up and
down the streets combined with throngs of people going about their lives. The
riverside can have its quiet moments, but Can Tho is also a burgeoning town and
there are a number of pagodas worth visiting. For the trivia fans, you should
know that Can Tho is the home to much of
Vietnam's fish sauce.
Markets
Cai Rang Market is situated about 8 km from Can Tho by road or
20 km by boat as the river loops its way towards it. This market is quite
nice and a variety of fruit and vegetables are available. It is open from 5
am to 11 am. You will find it better for shopping the earlier you can get
there. A cyclo from Can Tho to the Cai Rang Market will take about 15
minutes.
Another market, Phung Hiep market, is 31 km from Can Tho. This is the snake
market, selling a plethora of living, wriggling and often poisonous snakes.
Pythons and Cobras are sold here by people from the countryside who have caught
them by hand. People come to this market to purchase snakes for restaurants,
medicinal reasons or personal consumption. This market is open from 5 am to 5
pm. If traveling to Phung Hiep market by boat, you can add a dimension to your
day by stopping and visiting some of the fruit gardens, where you can purchase
many types of fruit including sell pineapple, rambutan and papaya.