The sky was still officially in “night-mode” when Long and her son, Huy, met us at our hotel. We had arranged to spend the day with her exploring the Mekong and it’s canals in and around Can Tho.
On the Mekong in the pre-dawn light, Can Tho.
Still not quite day yet on the Mekong, Can Tho.
The river-front is waking up, Can Tho.
Sunrise on the Mekong, Can Tho.
Minimal freeboard. Mekong near Can Tho.
Folks are friendly on the Mekong, Can Tho.
Cruisin’ the Mekong, Can Tho.
Captain Long made us “official” on the Mekong, Can Tho.
Long made this palm-frond flower. Near Can Tho.
Eron and Roger on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Future captain at the helm. Mekong near Can Tho.
Stilt-houses on the shores of the Mekong near Can Tho.
Tending the Water Hyacinths. Mekong near Can Tho.
Load of Jack Fruit on the Mekong near Can Tho.
New bridge over the Mekong near Can Tho.
New bridge over the Mekong near Can Tho 02.
Small fishing boat. Mekong near Can Tho.
Bulk-goods carrier on the Mekong near Can Tho.
They navigate much the same as they drive. Mekong near Can Tho.
Load of Yams on the Mekong near Can Tho.
Anyone need baskets? Mekong near Can Tho.
Nice chair. Mekong near Can Tho.
We were told that an, “absolute must-see”, on the Mekong was the Cai Rang Floating Market (http://www.vietnam-beauty.com/top-destinations/223-get-to-know-cai-rang-floating-market-.html). It was everything it was promised to be and more. It was an incredible cacophony of jumbled sights, sounds, and smells… it was a kaleidoscope for the senses. As we approached the market, all we saw was what appeared to be a random, teeming mass of boats with other boats entering and leaving this “glob” without rhyme or reason.  When we got closer, there appeared a certain order in the apparent chaos. The larger of the vessels seemed to form channels for the smaller boats to travel and the vendors each had a pole visible high above their boat – at the top of the pole hung a sample of their wares. Being on a small sampan, Long maneuvered us between the larger boats and right into the heart of the market.
Approaching the Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 02.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 03.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 04.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 05.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 06.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 07.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 08.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 09.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 10.
Eron’s new hat from the Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 11.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 12.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 13.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 14.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 15.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 16.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 17.
The Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho 18.
Next, we headed upstream past Cai Rang Town.
Casket sales on the Mekong near Can Tho.
He’s gonna have to wait for the next low-tide. Near Can Tho.
We then came ashore to stretch our legs, have a potty-break, and visit a local rice-paper factory.
Proud Rooster, near Can Tho.
Making rice vermicelli, near Can Tho.
Rice paper drying in the sun, near Can Tho.
Making rice paper, near Can Tho.
Making rice paper 02, near Can Tho.
Making rice paper 03, near Can Tho.
Onwards into the Mekong Delta…
Palm-frond huts on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Mmmmm, fresh Pineapple on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Constant-flow biffy on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Colourful ship on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
If it floats, it’s on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Down a quiet canal off the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Long took us to a little family-run restaurant for a light lunch… and, of course, an after-lunch cigar.
They can always recognize a dog-person, near Can Tho.
Do I look like I fit in? The “VC Cigar Aficionado” near Can Tho.
We spent the next few hours puttering about and exploring the small canals that run off the Mekong.
Excited to see us, near Can Tho.
A home beside the foot-bridge, near Can Tho.
Mud-coloured boats, near Can Tho.
Concrete dock, near Can Tho.
Natural tunnel, near Can Tho.
Wooden dock, near Can Tho.
Tied up sampan, near Can Tho.
Huy on a traditional foot-bridge, near Can Tho.
YIKES! It’s about the size of your palm, near Can Tho.
Anyone for billiards? Near Can Tho.
A Thai Ridgeback-cross, near Can Tho.
Fishing nets over the canal, near Can Tho.
Getting passed, near Can Tho.
Crickets, near Can Tho.
Lots of bananas, near Can Tho.
We’re being watched, near Can Tho.
Motoring on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Doing laundry on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
That afternoon we came across another, albeit smaller, local floating market…
Approaching a small local floating market, near Can Tho.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 02.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 03.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 04.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 05.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 06.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 07.
Small local floating market, near Can Tho 08.
We then turned downstream and started making our way back to Can Tho.
Tied up at home, near Can Tho.
Comes with a boatport, near Can Tho.
A shy wave, near Can Tho.
Heading back to Can Tho.
Living right on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Almost awash on the Mekong, near Can Tho.
Back to the dock at Can Tho.
East to Hedon
East to Hedon 
Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make critically posts I would state.
That is thee veryy first time I frequented your web page and up to now?
I surprised with the research you made to make this particular post extraordinary.
Wonderful activity!