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The Nga Nam Floating Market is in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang in Southern Vietnam. This Vietnam floating market is approximately 60 kilometers away from the center of Soc Trang City itself. Despite its simplicity, Nga Nam Market holds significant historical value as one of the oldest and largest floating markets in the area.
Historical records show that the Nga Nam Floating Market was established in the early 19th century as part of the Nguyen Dynasty's efforts to reclaim land in the Mekong Delta. Throughout the era of French colonization, comprehensive canal networks like the Quan Lo – Phung Hiep Canal, Long My – Phu Loc Canal, Ngan Dua – Cau Sap Canal, and Gia Rai – Pho Sinh Canal were built to enhance terrestrial infrastructure and foster regional administration.
Nga Nam Floating Market @nganam.soctrang.gov
The name "Nga Nam", which translates to "the intersection of five roads," originated from the intersection of the Quan Lo – Phung Hiep Canal and the Xang Canal, forming a tributary that flowed in five different directions. Because of its strategic location for trade, people from Rach Gia, Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Can Tho, and My Tho congregated at Nga Nam to exchange agricultural produce and goods, thus shaping the Nga Nam Floating Market into its present form.
Nga Nam Floating Market @soctrangtourism
Nga Nam Floating Market welcomes all sellers to come to exchange their agricultural products whatever they are. Both large and small boats serve as the primary mode of transportation for sellers and buyers navigating the river for trading activities, forming a bustling scene that is truly captivating.
These boats are eye-catching with their vibrant colors and carry a diverse array of goods, including distinctive varieties of rice, fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, seafood, and more. They leisurely traverse the waterways, allowing visitors to readily observe and engage in the exchange of products.
Nga Nam Floating Market becomes even more bustling during the Tet holiday when a lot of traders come in and out on different sizes of boats, loading, unloading, buying, and selling numerous goods. If visitors begin their trip here during that time, there will be more options for them to choose and experience.
Trading at Nga Nam Floating Market @thamhiemmekong
To facilitate communication between sellers and buyers, the "cay beo", known as Advertising bamboo, is an effective advertising tool in this floating market.
Craftsmen typically use aged bamboo to create "Cay beo", straightening it to about 4-5 meters in length and incorporating a sharp angle for easy insertion and anchoring when docked. The top of “ cay beo” is perforated, allowing items like fruits and vegetables to be hung for display.
From a distance, buyers can easily spot the "cay beo" and identify the goods they wish to purchase. This unique feature adds to the cultural charm of the Nga Nam Floating Market, not only does it provide an accessible way for tourists, but also particularly for those who are new to the local customs, to engage with the market.
Cay beo - Nga Nam Floating Market @Quang Tien
When you visit the Nga Nam Floating Market, it’s highly recommended to indulge in the unique street food offerings along the river, trying those cuisines promises to be a memorable experience that you won't want to miss.
Local vendors flock to the market to offer a variety of breakfast options, including pho with pork and meat, hu tieu with paddy crab paste, or hu tieu noodles with grilled pork and sweet and sour fish sauce, and rice noodles with seafood.
Besides those tasty foods, beverages here should also be mentioned as well, such as iced or hot coffee with milk, juice made from fresh fruits, and more, all at reasonable prices. You'll delight in the regional flavors while being greeted with warm smiles from the vendors.
Nga Nam Floating Market in the morning @VOV Du Lich
This trip will give you lots of cool new experiences and show you how folks here live and work together.
You'll get a taste of real Mekong life, see people wearing those comfy “ba ba” shirts, hear some sweet old folk songs, do a boat ride, and catch that Vietnamese southern accent in people's voices. The simple stuff makes Nga Nam Floating Market so awesome.
Local life - Nga Nam Floating Market @Thanh Nien
To be able to fully explore the beauty of this place, you need to get up extremely early to visit the market. The market will start when the sky is still dim, at around 3-4 AM. After the sunrise, by about 7-8 AM, most of the market will be dissolved. Then, the boats will spread out everywhere to bring the goods to surrounding areas.
The best time to visit Nga Nam Floating Market @Thamhiemmekong
When coming to the Nga Nam Floating Market, you can book a room in the budget motels in Nga Nam Town with the price of about VND 150,000 – 300,000/ night.
Also, you can choose some small hotels with basic standards in Soc Trang City for staying overnight before reaching Nga Nam Floating Market to visit in the wee hours of the morning.
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This bustling market is located in Nga Nam Town, Soc Trang Province. If you're coming from Ho Chi Minh City, take the National Highway No. 1A. Once you reach Nga Bay City in Hau Giang Province, turn into the Quan Lo - Phung Hiep road. Just follow this route, and you'll arrive at Nga Nam Floating Market.
If you're traveling from Soc Trang City to Nga Nam Floating Market, you'll need to go for about 60 kilometers to Phu Loc Town in Thanh Tri District. Then, turn right and travel another 24 kilometers along National Highway No. 61B until you reach Nga Nam Town, where the floating market is bustling.
Alternatively, you can catch the provincial bus No. 1 from Soc Trang City center to Thanh Tri and then onward to Nga Nam. The ticket price is around 20,000 VND per person. You can also rent a motorbike, take a taxi, or hire a motorcycle taxi to Nga Nam, with prices ranging from 120,000 to 200,000 VND.
After this brief introduction, we hope that we have helped you discover fascinating insights about the local lifestyle and culture of Nga Nam, Vietnam. Hopefully, you will be ready to prepare your backpacks and head out to more vibrant famous floating market.
To learn more about various Vietnamese tourist attractions, especially Vietnam market, just click on our Vietnam Destination Overview. Those articles will give you proper insights to help you better plan your trip to popular floating markets in Vietnam.
If you require further details regarding travel in Vietnam overall, feel free to explore our Vietnam Travel Blog. You can also discover fascinating insights into how people live and culture there!
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