The Cai Rang Floating Market, with its characteristic river culture in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region, is a popular destination for most international tourists when exploring Can Tho. Matilda, a tourist from Australia, was thrilled: "We traveled on a boat to the market in the middle of the river. It's lively and exceeds what I imagined. The guide explained to us about the trading culture here, and I found it very interesting." From 7 to 9 am every day, the Cai Rang Floating Market attracts a large number of international visitors. Here, tourists can explore the river market culture, enjoy local cuisine, and taste fresh fruits. Harold, a tourist from England, shared: "I was very impressed with the experience of visiting a floating market, then moving to small canals, fruit gardens, and traditional craft villages. The fruits here are very fresh, and the locals are very friendly”.

Visiting the Cai Rang Floating Market, fruit gardens, and craft villages is a familiar route often recommended to international tourists. Vo Minh Trung, an international tour guide, said: "The international tourist market is diverse and interested in exploring the river culture, the cuisine of the Mekong Delta. They enjoy green spaces and experience the daily life and customs of the local people. Therefore, besides the Cai Rang Floating Market, I often take tourists to craft villages like Yen Ha basket hamlet or the noodle village in the An Binh area. Tourists enjoy activities that allow them to interact closely with the local people." In fact, local cultural experiences are an important factor for international tourists when choosing their travel itinerary and destination. Matthias, a tourist from Switzerland, said: "I wanted to learn about the Mekong Delta and chose to travel to Can Tho because of its famous floating market. I also enjoyed the village paths, visited fruit gardens, tried Vietnamese dishes, and I was very impressed”.

Cao Thien Ly, the Director of Business Development at Mekong Delta Co.op Company, said: "International tourists are always attracted to local culture. Therefore, we create products that showcase the local identity. Instead of following familiar routes, we choose destinations that are less visited but reflect the daily lives of the local people; where tourists can experience everyday activities like taking ferries, motorcycles, bicycles, and boats... visiting rice pounding factories, blacksmith forges, fruit nurseries, elementary schools... At each destination, we provide opportunities for tourists to participate in activities and have conversations with the local people. We want tourists to have a deep experience of the culture of the Mekong Delta and, through interaction with tourists, spread the hospitality of the people of the Mekong Delta". Meanwhile, Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen, the owner of Mekong Silt Ecolodge, said: "For international tourists, sometimes the everyday things in daily life arouse curiosity. Therefore, we organize workshops to experience the cuisine, traditional weaving, and basket weaving... Tourists can go to the garden to pick vegetables, catch fish, and then cook simple dishes from the Mekong Delta or learn to make small bags or earrings. Through these activities, we introduce the distinctive cultural aspects of the lives of the people in the Mekong Delta.

Local culture is an important factor in the development of tourism, especially for the international market. The uniqueness and differentiation of tourism products are determined by the local culture. This is one of the factors that contribute to the positioning of each locality's tourism. Recognizing this, tourism units in Can Tho are focusing on building many products that exploit the local culture. Ms. Cao Thien Ly added: "In addition to regular experiential tours, we also have special products, such as culinary tours. This journey not only stops at cooking a rustic meal together but also includes a local specialty food tour. We will let tourists experience eating street food, enjoying cakes in alleys, and savoring local dishes in the authentic way of the locals". Meanwhile, Ms. Vo Xuan Thu, General Director of Victoria Can Tho Resort, said: "We always emphasize providing the best and most intimate experiences of the local area for tourists. Therefore, in addition to accommodation activities, we have workshops for cooking delicious local dishes or programs that showcase coconut leaf weaving and making cornical hat, alternated daily throughout the week". To enhance the experience of tourists, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoang, Deputy Director of My Khanh Tourist Village, said: "At My Khanh Tourist Village, we have a cultural area representing the four ethnic groups: Kinh, Hoa, Cham, and Khmer, a traditional craft village, and recently, the addition of the My Khanh Floating Market. Here, tourists can learn about the local culture through authentic reenactments”.

Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen added: "What matters is the way we do it because each product must be genuine and authentic in order to provide the true essence of the experience to tourists. When building products, we conduct thorough research and spend time testing and operating them before bringing them to tourists. We always create opportunities for local people to participate in activities with tourists because every word, every action is a way to preserve the essence of the local culture". Indeed, local culture contributes to the creation of diverse tourism products if there is a focus on exploration and investment, thereby helping to position the local brand on the domestic and international tourism map. Therefore, developing tourism based on local culture is necessary and requires long-term attention.