The Cai Rang floating market (Photo: VNA)

The event marks one year since the "Culture of the Cai Rang Floating Market” was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

A number of activities will be held during the three-day festival, including a composite boat race, a parade of tourism boats, and the making of record-sized banh xeo (a type of savory crepe) – a specialty of southern Vietnam.

The festival will also feature the display of local delicacies, cultural activities and folk games.

Vice Chairman of the Cai Rang district People’s Committee Vuong Cong Khanh said the festival aims to popularise the image of the Cai Rang Floating Market as a tourism highlight of the city. It is also a chance for travel companies to create tours to attract visitors to Can Tho.

The Cai Rang Floating Market, located about 6km from the centre of Can Tho city, has been around for centuries. It is a prime example of the waterway market culture in the southwestern region, where people buy and sell goods on boats.

About 200 – 250 waterway vehicles engage in buying and selling activities at the market every day with agricultural products being the main goods. About 2,000 tonnes of products are sold and bought at the market each day, generating over VND 3 billion (US$132,000) in daily revenue.

The Cai Rang Floating Market has long been a tourism brand of Can Tho and assessed as an attractive destination by both domestic and foreign tourists.