Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang - Ultimate Travel Guide
The cultural core of river trading in the Southwest region is embodied by the Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang. The genuine calls of the locals may be heard here, along with a multiplicity of boats loaded with a wide range of different things. Soc Trang is one of those places you simply must not miss if you ever have the opportunity to travel there.
A few things about Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang
Address: Ward 1, Nga Nam Town, Soc Trang Province.
Five major rivers meet at the Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang. These rivers are Ca Mau, Vinh Quoi, Long My, Thanh Tri, and Phung Hiep. There is no way you could miss this unique floating market if you ever go to Soc Trang.
In the past, this spot was where only four rivers came together. But ever since the French dug out the Phung Hiep Canal, which became the fifth branch, more and more people from the Western provinces have come to trade here. This is what led to the creation of the Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang.
The Nga Nam Floating Market is one of the oldest floating markets in the Western area that is still open. It's thought to be the most "Western" floating market because it still follows the unique river lifestyle that can only be found in the Mekong Delta.
History of Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang
Some historical records say that Nga Nam was officially found in the early 1800s, when the Mekong Delta was part of the Nguyen Dynasty's strategy to reclaim land.
In the late 1800s, Nga Nam district was still mostly tree-covered and had a lot of mangroves and reeds. The French colonists thought this land was a very exciting place to discover.
During their conquest of Indochina, the French built a network of big canals so they could use the new land for farming and improve the way the area was run. There was the Long My–Phu Loc Canal, the Ngan Dua–Cau Sap Canal, and the Gia Rai–Pho Sinh Canal.
When Quan Lo Phung Hiep Canal and Xang Canal crossed a river, they made a branch that flowed into five different directions. This is where the word "Nga Nam," which means "five directions," came from.
Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang is where you see it now. People from Rach Gia, Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Can Tho, and My Tho have come to trade their goods and agricultural products because it is in a great place for dealing.
The best time to visit Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang
Locals often begin trading relatively early, about 3 a.m., when several boats packed with items from various river branches begin arriving at the Nga Nam Floating Market, according to Vietnam Budget Car Rental's experience.
The peaceful stretch of the Nga Nam River at night transforms into a hive of activity in the hectic atmosphere of buying and selling, which lasts until noon. The market is busiest between 5 and 6 a.m. when hundreds of boats congregate and create a lively scene along the riverbank. As a result, based on previous visits to Nga Nam Floating Market, this time period is optimal for exploring and experiencing this location.
On typical days, roughly 200 boats of all sizes are engaged in busy trade, but this number can reach 400 in the days coming up to Tet (Vietnamese New Year). During this festive season, the Nga Nam Floating Market is open practically all day, from early morning until late at night, adding to the vitality of the mood in this location.
How to get to Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang?
Because Soc Trang is around 230 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, going there by car or taxi is a good alternative if you want to visit the floating market. Those in the Central or Northern regions may find it more convenient to fly to Ho Chi Minh City and then travel to Soc Trang. After that, follow the directions supplied by Vietnam Budget Car Rental to reach the Nga Nam Floating Market:
1. Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Soc Trang
Opting for a private car rental from Ho Chi Minh City to Soc Trang is a reasonable choice because the distance isn't too far, and the travel time is approximately 5 hours. Additionally, you'll have the freedom to stop and admire the surrounding scenery without being constrained by a fixed schedule. The cost of traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Soc Trang via car rental is also incredibly reasonable, at around 100,000 VND.
2. Traveling from Soc Trang City to Nga Nam Floating Market
After reaching Soc Trang City, continue for about 60 kilometres on National Highway 1A towards Phu Loc Town, Thanh Tri District. Then, take National Highway 61B for another 24 kilometres to Nga Nam Floating Market. The route is quite simple, however, you can use Google Maps or ask locals for instructions.
When you get to the market, try renting a boat for a leisurely trip. Boats typically seat 3 to 6 persons. You can either rent the entire boat for your convenience or join other parties to split the cost.
Top things to do at Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang
1. Exploring the River Trading Culture
People from Soc Trang and surrounding areas congregate at Nga Nam Floating Market for business and trade. Families bring fruits, fish, agricultural goods, and other items to sell to vendors. Meanwhile, community sellers offer apparel, footwear, food, and beverages purchased from wholesale markets. Every day, the trading environment here is crowded, boisterous, and colourful.
Typically, the market opens at 4 a.m. Merchants arrive early to buy things from locals at low costs. It becomes the busiest around 6 a.m., with everyone coming to shop, especially on weekends. Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang sells almost everything. Each boat places up a pole with their merchandise displayed so that shoppers may easily recognise them.
Even before the sunrise, the place is buzzing in the morning mist. You'll hear buyers bargaining, vendors debating pricing, motorboat engines roaring, and all of these voices combining together to create the peculiar ambiance of the floating market.
2. Breakfast on the Gentle Waves
You should definitely try one of the tasty food options when you get to Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang. There are many small boats in the market offering coffee, smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, cigarettes, broken rice, Hu Tieu (a type of noodle soup), Bun Nuoc Leo Soc Trang, stir-fried noodles, and other things. The glowing charcoal fires with pots that give off lovely smoke and smells add to the special charm of this place.
What's more, the food on these boats is pretty much the same as food you'd find in a regular restaurant on land. But the feeling of floating gently on the water while eating hot food will definitely make for many great moments. Because of this, you should not miss the chance to visit Nga Nam Floating Market.
People who like to travel often say to be careful when eating on boats so that food doesn't spill or hot broth doesn't splash and hit you. Small boats can get tossed around by big waves caused by motorboats going by. This could make you lose your balance. To make sure you have a safer first experience, it's better to eat dry foods like rice cakes, stir-fried noodles, or mixed noodles.
3. Capturing Mesmerizing Photos for the Social Media Enthusiast
A beautiful scene is made by the golden-orange colours of the sunrise and the way the áo bà ba (traditional Vietnamese clothes) move in the wind. The busy boats and lively sounds that reverberate through the river area make for a beautiful natural picture. Any way you look at it, the morning light and the beauty along the river will make for a great picture.
Taking selfies on the boat or taking pictures of the scenery work well with the busy dealing atmosphere on the river. The pictures taken here might show simple, everyday life that has a lot of artsy, beautiful angles.
You can take pictures while sitting on a three-leafed boat, or while trading fruits or eating breakfast on the boat. Tourists who wear traditional Vietnamese clothes like áo bà ba or áo dài will have beautiful and classy pictures.
4. The Unique "Bẹo" Sticks at Nga Nam Floating Market
Advertising and marketing at the floating market are very different from those at stores on land. People in the area have come up with a unique way to do it by putting long bamboo sticks in front of their boats. These are called "bẹo" sticks. People who are selling things hang their goods from these sticks to show potential buyers.
Customers only need to look at these "bẹo" sticks to know where to find the things they want, so there's no need for loud advertising. People here don't need signs or bright LED lights because of this. In the Western area, this practice stands out as an important part of the river culture. This is the reason you should check out Soc Trang at least once.
5. Buying Gifts for Family and Friends
Because there are so many tourists at Nga Nam Floating Market, the rates of local specialties are usually a little higher. From what Vietnam Budget Car Rental has seen, things like Pia Cake in Soc Trang, flattened rice, Chinese sausage, beef jerky, buffalo jerky, and other foods are much cheaper at stores on land.
So, you can take a walk around the floating market for food, drinks, and to learn about the unique way people trade here. If you want to buy gifts of local specialties, though, you should go to a reputable store on land. There you'll have more options and probably find better deals.
With its unique characteristics and distinctive cultural essence, Nga Nam Floating Market in Soc Trang is a destination you definitely shouldn't miss. Vietnam Budget Car Rental has shared the most useful insights about this famous floating market, hoping you'll have a meaningful trip.
>>Read more: Top 15 Best Things You Must Not Overlook in Soc Trang
