OVERVIEW OF FLOATING MARKETS IN THE MEKONG DELTA AND CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET

Abstract

The floating market is a unique economic-cultural phenomenon formed during the long-term adaptation process of residents of the Mekong Delta to the natural conditions of the Mekong Delta. Not only is it a place for trading activities, but the floating market is also a living cultural space, reflecting the intimate relationship between people and rivers, between livelihoods and cultural identity. This article provides an overview survey of the floating market system in the Mekong Delta, highlighting the role and typical value of the Cai Rang floating market - a symbol of river civilization in the Southwest region, and a national intangible cultural heritage recognized by the State in 2016. Based on the synthesis of documentary sources, the article presents the formation process, operational characteristics, and role of floating markets in the socio-economic life of the region. Thereby, the study deeply analyzes the tangible and intangible values ​​that the floating market brings, from architecture, vehicles, goods, to customs, language, cuisine, and lifestyle of merchant lake residents. Besides, the article also points out the strong changes of floating markets in the modern context, when the development of transportation infrastructure, urbanization, and tourism has changed the traditional function, structure, and livelihood of the community. A typical case is the Cai Rang floating market (Can Tho), which currently serves as both a major agricultural trading center and a prominent cultural tourism destination in the region. However, the process of commercialization and the decline of traditional trade pose many challenges for conservation. From there, the article proposes groups of solutions for sustainable development, emphasizing the central role of the local community in managing, preserving, and exploiting floating market tourism in the direction of "dynamic conservation" - both preserving heritage values ​​and adapting to the changes of the times. Research results confirm that floating markets are not only a unique form of trade but also a unique cultural symbol of the Southwest region, with important significance in shaping regional identity, heritage education, and developing sustainable cultural and ecological tourism. Preserving and promoting the value of floating markets, especially the Cai Rang floating market, therefore not only contributes to local economic development, but also affirms the position of Vietnam's river cultural heritage in the process of international integration.