Famous Mekong Delta tourist attraction Cai Rang Floating Market, is suffering from serious pollution.
The floating market is home for many of the traders and domestic waste is regularly dumped in the river. ‘Rush hour’ from 5 to 6 am can be particularly unpleasant as boats often discharge waste from their on-board toilets.
Cai Rang Floating Market
According to Can Tho Province's Waterways Police Board, increasing numbers of traders are making the area home, despite the lack of permission and the inadequate infrastructure. A whole local economy has developed including food selling.
With between 200 to 500 boats operating on the river each day, the river can experience congestion, with craft blocking vessels travelling along the river. This poses traffic problems, including potential risks of accidents.
Can Tho City's Police Department is seeking the municipal people's committee approval to rearrange and upgrade the market by using buoys to create clearer routes through the chaos.
Some high-quality tourist services like floating restaurants and an observation deck will also be licensed.
Unsurprisingly, all sorts of people play the waters for business
Rubbish floating on the water
