Vi Thanh market preserves rural Mekong Delta traditions

The “chom hom” market in the Vi Thanh ward of Can Tho city serves as a vibrant example of traditional rural life within the Mekong Delta. Characterized by its rustic charm and colorful displays, the informal market features vendors selling fresh agricultural products directly from their own gardens.

The name “chom hom” refers to the traditional way sellers sit low to the ground, arranging their diverse, non-packaged goods in baskets, on tarps, or atop small stools. This small-scale commerce provides a vital livelihood for local workers and offers consumers access to a wide variety of natural produce, maintaining the region's rural soul amidst an evolving urban landscape.