Vietnam’s Can Tho tourism authorities respond after tourist criticizes Cai Rang Floating Market

Social media has been abuzz in recent days following a post by an account believed to belong to a tourist who had visited Can Tho City in southern Vietnam.

The person expressed disappointment with several services at the city’s famous Cai Rang Floating Market.

High prices, lack of activity

The tourist said they had booked a private boat for two people to film and take photos at the floating market, but were later told they could not take such photos despite having been told beforehand that photography was allowed.

They were also disappointed by two small bowls of bun rieu and banh canh noodles costing VND150,000 (US$5.76) in total, saying the food was both overpriced and underwhelming.

The post subsequently attracted thousands of interactions, including more than 2,500 likes and hundreds of comments.

The comments featured a range of opinions.

Some people who identified themselves as Can Tho residents said the city offered many other destinations and experiences besides Cai Rang Floating Market.

Some suggested that tourists should conduct more thorough research or hire a local guide before visiting.

Meanwhile, other commenters agreed with the criticism of service quality, saying the tourism sector needed to continue improving its products, service standards, and visitor experiences.

The tourist's post was not the only discussion of Cai Rang Floating Market on social media.

Numerous posts from visitors sharing their experiences have also appeared on TikTok.

Some tourists said they had initially expected to see a bustling floating market filled with boats selling goods and the lively calls of vendors traditionally associated with Vietnam's Mekong Delta.

Instead, they found only a few boats selling goods, while around 80 percent of the boats were tourist vessels carrying visitors around the market.

Some visitors also hoped to sit on a boat and enjoy food on the river.

However, boat operators took them to a floating raft for breakfast.

After the meal, the tour continued to a coconut candy-making site, but the boat stopped at a location resembling a shop selling Mekong Delta specialties.

What did Can Tho tourism authorities say?

Sam Long Giang, deputy director of the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the tourist's social media complaint may have concerned an incident that took place in August and was subsequently posted or reshared.

According to Giang, the incident involved a boat operator providing passenger transport services.

After verifying the information, the authorities invited the relevant operator to a meeting and instructed it to make corrections.

Regarding the management of service quality at Cai Rang Floating Market, Giang said management responsibilities involved multiple agencies, with Cai Rang Ward authorities directly overseeing the area.

The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has also worked with the ward and requested that functional agencies strengthen oversight in their respective areas of responsibility.

As for the dwindling number of floating-market traders, Giang said the decline was driven by socio-economic development and improved road transportation.

The sector is studying policies and services for different areas to attract investment under a plan to preserve and develop the floating market.

The aim is to gradually expand activities at the market so that traders will see the benefits of remaining there and continue operating.

"To diversify products serving tourists, the department has instructed the Center for Culture and Arts to maintain a don ca tai tu traditional music program on boats at the floating market from 5:00 to 7:00 am every week,” Giang added.