Mekong Delta cities and provinces are calling for large-scaleinvestments to restore a number of floating markets such as Cai Be inTien Giang province, Cai Rang in Can Tho city, Nga Bay in Hau Giangprovince, and Nga Nam in Soc Trang province.

Floating markets are a special feature of the delta, offering visitorsthe chance to see dozens of boats selling agricultural products andflowers. However, only a few of the markets have retained their uniquecharacteristics due to the development of road transport decreasing thenumber of trade boats.

The number of trade boatsoperating at the Cai Rang market, for example, has halved from itsoriginal 500 varieties, and the Nga Bay floating market was moved 10kilometres away to Ba Nga to ensure marine transport safety, butaffected trade activities between sellers and customers.

Most of the markets are busy only at the end of the lunar year or thearrival of spring due to high demand for farm produce.

The restoration and preservation of the markets as a bustling tradesite and striking tourist destination require thorough study andreasonable investment.

Most recently, the Hau Giangprovincial People’s Committee approved a project preserving the Nga Bayfloating market with a total cost of over 35 billion VND (1.7 millionUSD).

The project will be carried out between 2015and 2017 including the construction of pavements along the riverbank,wharves, drainage and water and electricity supply systems.

In 2014, the Cai Rang district People’s Committee of Can Tho proposed aplan to upgrade the Cai Rang floating market from 2014 to 2016necessitating 26 billion VND (1.3 million USD).

The project aims to build onshore farm produce sites, floating restaurants and other public facilities to serve tourists.

Meanwhile, Soc Trang province called for 2 million USD to turn the NgaNam floating market into an ecotourism site and trade centre in thedelta.-VNA