Are business and management practices ‘sinking’ Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam?

Price gouging, harassment by touts and poor sanitation are among the issues Tuoi Tre readers have sharply criticized following a series of incidents during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which lasted from February 14 to 22.

The controversy intensified after the publication of an article on the suspension of visitor arrivals at Cai Rang Floating Market pier due to price gouging, which triggered a wave of reader responses.

Many said the problems go far beyond pricing, pointing instead to weak oversight, unprofessional management, and short-term business practices that are steadily eroding the market's appeal.

Chaos from the pier to the market

Reader Tran Cong Vinh, a tourist from Da Nang, described a disappointing visit to Cai Rang Floating Market on the morning of February 21.

Prices were not publicly posted and were, in his words, "almost extortionate." Toilets were unavailable or in serious disrepair, while public benches at Ninh Kieu Wharf were broken and surrounded by trash.

"I will not return a second time unless things improve," he said.

Another reader, Thang Thieu Hung, who visited the market on February 20, the fourth day of Tet, reported similar conditions.

He said the Ninh Kieu Wharf area and the old Can Tho Market appeared rundown and inconsistent with the status of the largest city in Vietnam's southwestern region.

Waste, including foam containers and plastic bags, was scattered across benches, lawns, and walkways due to a lack of trash bins.

Aggressive touting has also become a major concern.

Another reader wrote, "I visited during the New Year holiday. The floating market was chaotic, with touts everywhere. I don't feel like coming back."

Reader Ngoc Vu echoed a widely held view. For many visitors, Cai Rang is a one-time-only destination.

As soon as they descend from Cai Rang Bridge, tourists are approached by aggressive motorbike taxi drivers soliciting customers in a disorderly manner.

Reader Nguyen Thanh Phuoc said current business and management practices are dragging the market down.

Reader Nguyen Bong agreed, saying Cai Rang now survives largely in name, sustained by short-term, opportunistic practices. If domestic tourists are reluctant to return, he said, attracting international visitors will be even more difficult.

Reader Banh Quyet Thang warned that price gouging has persisted for years without meaningful intervention. As tourist numbers rise, the consequences are becoming more visible and are affecting reputable operators as well.

Act before it is too late

Many readers urged authorities to take decisive action.

Reader Mai called for stronger and more systematic management, including removing unauthorized boats, standardizing prices, and diversifying activities.

One reader noted that Cai Rang was once a place to showcase the distinctive river based lifestyle and trading culture of the Mekong Delta. Short-term profit driven behavior, the reader said, has instead created chaos and unhealthy competition.

Reader Quoc Phong observed that floating markets already face natural decline due to the expansion of road transport. Aggressive touting and price gouging, he warned, will accelerate that decline.

"At that point, Can Tho will no longer have a tourist attraction like this. Act before it's too late," he wrote.

Reader Le Quang Nhat proposed publicly posting price lists and establishing a hotline so tourists can report violations and authorities can respond quickly, rather than imposing blanket restrictions after problems escalate.

Reader Lan Anh emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust.

"Anything multiplied by zero equals zero. Without customers, even increasing prices a hundredfold won't earn a single penny," the reader wrote.

Another reader added, "As long as prices are reasonable and fair, any amount is acceptable, but once trust is lost, all efforts will be in vain."

Environmental concerns also featured prominently.

Reader TMT said it was disheartening to see both vendors and visitors throwing trash into the river that sustains the market and defines the visitor experience.

He suggested tour guides and boat operators regularly remind tourists to protect the environment, including through pre-recorded announcements if necessary.