Cai Be

Introduction to Cai Be

Just 2 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City is the lovely Mekong Delta town of Cai Be. Not attracting as many tourists as the neighboring destinations, but that is what makes this little town feels so authentic, welcoming, and approachable. You might have heard somewhere that the Vietnamese say the phrase “thoải mái đi” (take it easy); well, the people in Cai Be actually live by it. In a town where the majority of residents are fruit farmers and river fishermen, people often have a laid-back schedule: commerce and hard work in the morning, and the afternoon is for relaxing. Wake up early to see market activity unfold on the water’s surface, and then cycle through Tan Phong Islet, floating down the lush canals - you will have the most relaxing time in this land!

Enjoy the unique beauty of Cai Be

Cai Be Tourism

You may want to get up early when staying in Cai Be because this town wakes up way before the sun even rises. A spectacular sunrise ferry journey is waiting for you to begin the day, then cycling across the town bridges and reaching the morning markets. Cai Be floating market is one of the largest fruit markets in Southwest Vietnam. Bordering 3 provinces of Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Vinh Long, the market has always been a bustling location, even back when the condition of traffic was undeveloped.

Enjoy the unique beauty of Cai Be Floating Market in Tien Giang

Not only fresh fruits, but Cai Be floating market also gathers many agricultural products and breakfasts at surprisingly low prices. To know which boats sell which products, you can see the things owners hang on a “beo” - a long bamboo pole tied in front of the boat. Instead of shouting to invite customers, this is a really unique way to sell goods that you can only see in the Western floating markets. While waiting for customers, vendors usually chat with others or play Chinese Checkers. 

If you visit Cai Be during Lunar New Year, you will have a chance to experience Tam Con Festival. This is an exciting and unique mud bath festival occurring when the water dries up, usually at around 1- 4 PM. People will pull others to bathe in mud and all cheer and pray for a bountiful year.

Admire the beautiful architecture of Cai Be Church - Tien Giang

Besides the floating markets, you may want to visit nearby Cai Ba Church, a Catholic German construction built in the 20th century. Moreover, numerous pagodas, Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples are also dispersed across town if you want to learn about the religious side of the land.

Tan Phong Islet

The spotlight of Cai Be is Tan Phong Islet - an idyllic drop of earth encircled by the Tien Phong River. You can take a short but entertaining ferry ride to reach the islet, which is also an everyday transport in the Mekong Delta. Tan Phong islet is a tropical heaven with every inch covered in rambutans and mangosteens. It is the narrow channels crisscrossing the land that nurture tasty fruits. Take a sampan or ride a bicycle down the winding roads, and you will find the best way to enjoy the islet. While driving, you will be surrounded by flowering foliage and the real, rustic daily life in this part of Vietnam.

Cai Luong performance

Are you a music lover? If it is a “yes”, Cai Be is a dreamland for you. Mekong Delta residents are known for their love for music, but Cai Be people are even more passionate about singing, especially Cai Luong - a Vietnamese style of folk opera that combines ballads and theatre. Musicians usually play a zither or guitar as a modern rendition. Despite the language barriers, Cai Luong is easy to enjoy because of the expressive acting and the melodious lyrics. The Mekong Garden Restaurant, sitting on Tan Phong Islet, is one place where you can listen to Cai Luong throughout the day and at dinner time.

Cai Be Weather

Tourists ride a boat in Cai Be

The weather in Cai Be is pleasant all year round, but the best time to discover this land may be from June to August. At this time of the year, all the fruit trees will get into harvest season, so the whole area will be covered in the aroma of ripe fruits. In the rest of the year, the weather in Cai Be is still pleasant, so you can choose any time to visit this land. Contact Asia Private Travels for Mekong Delta tours and explore Cai Be in the best way.

Cai Be Transport 

Cai Be - Welcome gate

Cai Be visitors often travel by motorbike or bus depending on their preferences and the time allowed. If you want to have interesting experiences and see the scenery on both sides of the road, you can choose motorbikes. But for family tours or group tours, the bus is a better choice for ensuring safety and health. Recently, there are many tours that provide transport and all other services to visit Cai Be. Contact Asia Private Travels for qualified tours in this peaceful and dreamy town.

Cai Be accommodation

Peace in Cai Be homestay with green garden style

This small town is suitable for a one-day trip; however, you can always find a comfortable homestay in Cai Be as a stop in your Vietnam tour packages. By sharing accommodation with the owners, you can join in the daily lifestyle of the Mekong Delta people as they are very hospitable and easy-going. Mekong Rustic is a sustainable operation that offers homestay and private bungalow accommodations. The hosts will treat you to fabulous regional cuisine and fresh fruits from local farms.

Cuisine in Cai Be 

The locals trade on the boat at Cai Be floating market

Not only does own many attractive destinations, but Cai Be also has a lot of delicious dishes which specialize the Western cuisine. Cai Be floating market provides a lot of delicious food and beverages itself, and the most prominent here are fruits: durian, pomelo, longan, orange, and mango... Many visitors find it interesting to buy some fruits from boats while “wandering” around the floating market. Try it yourself, and indeed it will be fun! 

A delicious and tasty bowl of Hu Tieu

To meet the needs of local people as well as tourists, Cai Be floating market also serves breakfast and coffee. Small boats weave between fruit boats, mainly selling light food for breakfast such as Banh Uot (wet cake), Hu Tieu (noodle soup), and Banh Canh (cake soup), … Imagine enjoying your first meal of the day on the river, surrounded by all the boats loaded with food and drinks - How amazing is that! 

Tourists in Cai Be 

If you want to experience local fruits right after it is picked, you can explore fruit farms spreading vastly in Cai Be. There are plenty of fruit varieties such as Hoa Loc sand mango, Cai Mon durian, oranges, … Besides enjoying the view of thousands of fruit trees, you can even pick the fruit trees right in the garden. The soil and the canals encircling each garden make the taste of fruits different from any other land, so don’t miss this experience on your Cai Be trip!

Hope the information is helpful for you to plan a Vietnam tour in case you are considering Mekong Delta as a stop. Cai Be is definitely a place to go if you want some new cultural experiences on your holiday. So please contact us for any further information!