Ben Tre province is famous for being the land of immense green coconut trees, so the craft village producing handicraft products is also quite diverse and rich. There are 3 famous mat weaving villages in Ben Tre including: Nhon Thanh, An Hiep and Thanh Thoi B.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Ben Tre Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket:
Spend-time: One and a half hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/an-hiep-mat-weaving-villages-ben-tre/
Address: Located in An Hiep, Nhon Thanh, Ben Tre province.
Added values: Hoping for a bright future for this craft village, because the development of a traditional craft village not only brings economic profits, creates jobs for local workers, but also preserves the local people’s unique traditional culture values.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from An Hiep mat weaving villages (Ben Tre)? Ben Tre City (12 minutes), Son Doc Rice paper village (27 minutes), Ben Tre Brick Factory (2 km), Thoi Son Island (21 km), Vien Minh Pagoda (24 km), Ben Tre Coconut Candy (17 km),…
2. Travel Guide to An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages
Weaving mats here has existed for a long time and helps many households in the commune to have a stable life. Mats made by Craft Villages can be purchased by traders on-site and sold throughout the province, in addition to being supplied to traders to bring to neighboring provinces for sale.
In 2008, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Craft Village Association officially recognized it as a Craft Village with 50 participating households. To create a beautiful and durable mat requires a lot of elaborate and hard work, from choosing raw materials to drying and weaving.
An Hiep handicraft village was formed in the 1950s, after decades of development with many ups and downs, the traditional mat weaving has not been lost over time. Mats in An Hiep mat village are not woven with sedge like Ca Mau mats but use u vu (a typical plant here). Mats woven with this plant are much more durable and beautiful than sedge plant. In addition to mat u vu, local people also experiment with many other plants, including sedge mats, water hyacinth mats, etc.
3. What to Do –See – Eat at An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages
However, due to the trend of the market economy and low-priced products, the local traditional mat weaving is gradually being lost because many households have changed jobs. In recent years, tours to the outskirts of Ben Tre city, including An Hiep Nhon Thanh commune, have developed strongly, opening up new opportunities for the mat weaving village. Some households in the Craft Village have boldly linked up with travel companies to make stops and visits for tourists to learn, visit and take photos.
Currently, An Hiep has become a tourist destination in Ben Tre with its very own local characteristics so that visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the local culture, as well as the outstanding traditions of Ben Tre province. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about and participate in the making of a traditional mat with the same locals.
Not only contributing to the construction of a new countryside, but also creating a unique tourism product, connecting tours to the outskirts of Ben Tre city, contributing to the development of river tourism combined with craft village tourism, promoting economic development of tourism in Ben Tre.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Ben Tre city center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Ben Tre. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Ben Tre daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. Those days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from Google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Ben Tre village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Ben Tre.
7. Responsible Travel and Advice An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. Top tip: Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. The Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself and I hope you have an amazing Mekong Delta river sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Ben Tre homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Ben Tre or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Ben Tre responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Ben Tre food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Ben Tre cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Cai Mon durian, Phu Le Rice Wine, coconut wine, coconut candy, coconut rice, snail pancake, elephant ear fish, Coconut Worm, Young Coconut Salad with Shrimp & Pork…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Ben Tre in the rainy season, as Ben Tre always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Ben Tre tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Ben Tre brick & pottery kiln, Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals, mighty Mekong river cruise, educational tour and community tour in Ben Tre, Ben Tre homestay 2D1N, cocohome homestay, Ben Tre cycling tours, Son Doc Puff Rice Paper Village, Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village, Vam Ho bird sanctuary, Cai Mon Ornamental Flower Village in Cho Lach, Ben Tre Museum, An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages, Ben Tre Night Market, Phung Island (Phoenix islet), Thoi Son Island, Turtle Islet (Con Quy)…
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Ben Tre province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
