Cai Be 2026: Floating Market, Church & Old Houses Guide

Cai Be (Cái Bè) is a riverside town on the Tien River, about 110 km (2–2.5 hours) from Saigon and now part of Dong Thap province. It is known for its Romanesque church of 1929–1932, the 19th-century wooden houses of Dong Hoa Hiep, orchards and a once-busy floating market that has now shrunk to a few boats. Most sights are free.

Status (checked October 2026): open as normal, but set expectations: the Cai Be floating market now has only a handful of produce boats; for a real floating market go to Cai Rang in Can Tho. Since the 2025 reforms Cai Be is part of Dong Thap province (formerly Tien Giang) and was made a ward in 2026. Cai Be Church is generally open daily from about 5:00 to 17:30.

Why Cai Be is worth seeing:

Cai Be Church: a Romanesque landmark on the river, built 1929–1932.
Dong Hoa Hiep heritage houses: wooden homes 150–220 years old, some open as homestays.
Quieter canals: fewer tour groups than the My Tho islands.
Fruit country: home of the Hoa Loc mango and orchards of pomelo and longan.
Boat link to Vinh Long: cruise across the Tien River to An Binh island.

Cai Be at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Cái Bè; Chợ nổi Cái Bè (floating market)
Location	Confluence of the Tien River and Cai Be River; Cai Be ward, Dong Thap province (Tien Giang until 2025)
Distance	About 110 km from Ho Chi Minh City; about 40 km west of My Tho
Known for	Cai Be Church, Dong Hoa Hiep old houses, orchards, riverside workshops
Opening hours	Church about 5:00–17:30; old houses during daytime
Entrance fee	Church free; old houses free or a small fee/drink purchase
Time needed	Half a day, or one night in a heritage homestay
Best time	December–April; early morning on the river
Nearby	Vinh Long, My Tho, Can Tho
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Cai Be Worth Visiting?

Yes, for heritage and calm rather than for the floating market. Cai Be’s market is a shadow of its past, but the town rewards visitors with one of the delta’s finest churches, beautifully preserved wooden houses and peaceful canals. It is an excellent alternative to the busier My Tho islands and pairs well with Vinh Long.

Best for: travellers who like architecture, quiet canals and heritage homestays.
Skip if: a big floating market is your main goal; go to Can Tho instead.
Short on time: Cai Be Church, a boat along the river and one old house in half a day.

History of Cai Be

Cai Be grew where the Cai Be River meets the Tien River, a natural meeting point for boats carrying fruit and rice from the western delta. Its floating market formed at this confluence and for generations was one of the busiest in the region.

Catholic missionaries founded the parish in 1869; the present church was built between 1929 and 1932 under the German priest Adolphe Keller. Nearby Dong Hoa Hiep, settled nearly 300 years ago, prospered from orchards and trade, leaving fine wooden houses such as the 1818 house of the Le family and the 1850 house of the Phan family (Ba Duc house). From the late 20th century, new roads and bridges moved trade onto trucks, and the floating market steadily declined. In the 2025 reforms Cai Be became part of Dong Thap province.

What to See in Cai Be

1. Cai Be Church

Standing on the riverbank opposite the old market area, the church is built in Romanesque style on a cross-shaped plan, about 55 m long, with stained glass, marble altars and a tall bell tower housing four bells cast in France in 1931. It is especially photogenic from a boat.

2. Cai Be floating market

At Vam Cai Be a few boats still sell vegetables and fruit in the early morning, hanging samples on poles as in the past. Treat it as a glimpse of history rather than a full market.

3. Dong Hoa Hiep ancient houses

The village keeps seven houses built 150–220 years ago and dozens more from the early 20th century. Ba Duc house (1850) mixes carved wooden interiors with family altars and gardens; several houses welcome visitors and homestay guests.

Temple building in Cai Be, Tien Giang — Temples and old houses line the river in Cai Be. Photo: Andre Hospers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. Riverside workshops

Family workshops along the river make rice paper, puffed rice, popped-rice candy and coconut candy; boat trips usually stop at one for tasting.

5. Orchards and canals

Cai Be is fruit country, home of the famous Hoa Loc mango. Small boats and bicycles take you along canals to orchards of pomelo, longan and rambutan.

6. Boat to Vinh Long and An Binh island

Many itineraries continue by boat across the Tien River and through narrow canals to Vinh Long, ending at an An Binh island homestay.

Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Place	Price	Hours
Cai Be Church	Free	About 5:00–17:30; Sunday Masses through the day
Dong Hoa Hiep old houses	Free or small fee / drink purchase	Daytime
Boat trip (market, workshops, canals)	Priced per boat; included in tours	Early morning to afternoon

Hours of the church depend on the parish schedule; avoid sightseeing inside during Mass.

How to Get to Cai Be

From	How	Time
Ho Chi Minh City	Car via the Trung Luong expressway	About 2–2.5 hours
Mien Tay bus station	Bus towards Cai Be / Vinh Long	About 2.5–3 hours
My Tho	Car	About 45–60 minutes
Vinh Long	Boat across the Tien River, or car	30–60 minutes

More details are in our Mekong Delta transportation guide.

Best Time to Visit Cai Be

When	What to expect
December – April	Dry and pleasant; Tet flower and fruit trading before Lunar New Year
May – August	Fruit season, including mangoes; afternoon showers
September – November	High water and green orchards; occasional heavy rain
Time of day	6:00–8:00 for the remaining market boats and soft light on the church

Local Expert Tips for Cai Be

These tips come from years of arranging Mekong Delta tours for international travellers.

See the church from the water: the classic view is from a boat on the river.
Stay in an old house: a heritage homestay in Dong Hoa Hiep is a memorable night.
Do not build the day around the market: combine Cai Be with Vinh Long or Can Tho.
Buy fruit in season straight from the orchards.
Bring cash: cards are rarely accepted in the villages.
Read our Mekong Delta travel tips before you go.

Cai Be vs My Tho

Feature	Cai Be	My Tho
Distance from Saigon	About 110 km	About 70 km
Main sights	Church, heritage houses, orchards	Vinh Trang Pagoda, four islands
Crowds	Quieter	Busier with group tours
Best for	Heritage, homestays, route to Vinh Long	Shortest day trip

Our view: choose My Tho for the quickest day out; choose Cai Be for a calmer, more traditional atmosphere.

Nearby Attractions

Vinh Long: An Binh island homestays and Mang Thit kilns.
My Tho: Vinh Trang Pagoda and Unicorn Island.
Ben Tre: coconut canals and workshops.
Can Tho: the Cai Rang floating market.

Mekong Delta for First-Time Visitors: Where Cai Be Fits

One day? Saigon – Cai Be – boat to Vinh Long – Saigon. Two days? Add a homestay and continue to Can Tho for sunrise at Cai Rang. Our Mekong Delta day trip guide compares the routes, and where to stay in the Mekong Delta lists accommodation ideas.

Plan your trip with our Mekong Delta travel guide and Mekong Delta tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cai Be

1. Where is Cai Be?

Cai Be is on the Tien River about 40 km west of My Tho and roughly 110 km from Ho Chi Minh City; since the 2025 mergers it belongs to Dong Thap province.

2. Is Cai Be still in Tien Giang province?

No. Tien Giang merged into Dong Thap in 2025, so Cai Be is now part of Dong Thap province, although many tours still describe it as Tien Giang.

3. Is the Cai Be floating market still open?

The Cai Be floating market still exists but has shrunk to only a few produce boats, because goods now travel by road; do not expect a busy market.

4. Is Cai Be worth visiting?

Yes. Cai Be is worth visiting for its riverside church, 19th-century houses in Dong Hoa Hiep, orchards and quiet canals, rather than for its floating market.

5. When was Cai Be Church built?

Cai Be Church was built between 1929 and 1932 under the German priest Adolphe Keller; the parish dates back to 1869.

6. What is Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village in Cai Be?

Dong Hoa Hiep near Cai Be is a village nearly 300 years old with several wooden houses built 150–220 years ago, some open to visitors and homestay guests.