Planning a holiday to Ben Tre? Discover top reasons to go, best time to visit, tours and free itineraries, history and hidden gems with the official guide! Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in Ben Tre from the local travel experts who know it best. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish-lists.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Visitor Guide To Can Tho | Chau Doc | Soc Trang | Ben Tre | Cai Be | Vinh Long | My Tho | Tra Vinh | Sa Dec | Bac Lieu | Ca Mau | Hau Giang
Welcome to Ben Tre
Ben Tre is located in the Mekong Delta area of southern Vietnam. It is adjacent to the East Sea, with a coastline of 60 km. It is known as the coconut kingdom in Vietnam and one of the major agricultural products in the Mekong Delta. Ben Tre City is 113km from Can Tho City and 85 kilometres south-west of Ho Chi Minh City and is connected to the surrounding provinces by the Rach Mieu Bridge. It is contiguous to three provinces: Tra Vinh on the West, Tien Giang on the North East, Vinh Long on the North West.
Top Reasons to Go
The Heaven of coconut canals & homestays
Because of owning the huge systems of Mekong rivers and coconut canals, Ben Tre easily attracts travelers by eco-tour. Above all, travelers will be impressed with pristine landscapes, the simplicity of the coconut gardens as well as fresh orchards and many dunes interspersed with garden fields with the fresh air of laid-back villages. Need not to say, Ben Tre is a boon to the wanderlust world.
“The Cradle of Mekong Delta”
Ben Tre is a green island between the four corners of the Mekong River. It’s become an attractive destination for those who like to explore the green space. Mekong life is the norm here and it’s a very unadulterated scene—wandering the market, sipping the coffee, doing a boat trip and skipping through the local museum are the main pastimes. Ben Tre also has many famous attractions for travelers such as Tan Quy Islet, Phung Islet, Vam Ho bird sanctuary, and orchard tourism.
Vietnam Coconut Kingdom
Ben Tre is the land of Vietnam coconut Kingdom (nearly 40,000 hectares of coconut plantation). Coconut is so popular that it’s considered as the symbol of Ben Tre Vietnam and the coconut festival is held every year in Ben Tre as well. Furthermore, Ben Tre is also famous for coconut candy and other productions made from coconut. In addition to coconuts, Ben Tre also has many orchards scattered in many districts, most of which are concentrated in Cho Lach and Chau Thanh districts.
Amazing Steel Land at War
Ben The is not only known as the land of coconut Kingdom but also as the resilient land with the Dong Khoi Revolution. Nowadays, when the locals are talking about Ben Tre province during the war, everyone is proud of this area that has recorded many battles and remembers many heroes for the country.
Ben Tre Pottery & Brick Factory
There are many old brick and pottery factories in Ben Tre which are super impressive and unique to see when you discover Ben Tre.
Getting here and around
After replacing the slow ferries with big modern bridges, nowadays Ben Tre is getting easier for everyone to get there and get around. It also means that traveling to the town won’t take much sweat, especially when you get here by public bus, car via the highway. We will break this down in detail, so check the information below to choose your best vehicle option.
Air travel: Currently, there aren’t any direct flights to Ben Tre. The nearest one is Tan Son Nhat intl airport and Tra Noc intl (Can Tho) airport.
Bus travel: From Ho Chi Minh city to Ben Tre. The best bus company for getting from Saigon to Ben Tre is the Futa Bus Lines company. You can catch a bus from the Western bus station (address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) with the time to travel to Ben Tre is 2 hours, to buy tickets or contact system of specialized vehicles running Saigon – Ben Tre route such as: Phuong Trang (futa bus lines), add in Saigon: 272 De Tham, District 1. Tel for booking ticket: 19006067. Once you’ve arrived at the Ben Tre Bus Station, take a taxi to your Ben Tre accommodation. Or, if taking the Futa bus line, take the complimentary transportation van which goes to certain areas in 10 km distance. For your return trip, you can pre-book your tickets or have your accommodation help reserve the tickets for you. If you choose to do the tour or homestay in Ben Tre, you’ll want the bus driver to drop you off at the Hung Vuong boat station (facing Hung Vuong hotel Ben Tre, 148 Hung Vuong street). The locals from the homestays will arrange to pick you up in a boat when you arrive at the harbor.
Bus travel: From Can Tho to Ben Tre. Take the public bus as Hiep bus line (0915726570 or 0973573793 Vietnamese please! Depart at 8am from Can Tho, arrive at 11am in Ben Tre). Super easy to have a ticket via phone call. These buses are local and AC. The bus ticket is about 75,000 VND.
Boat travel: Not a public boat yet.
Speed Boat travel: From HCMC to Ben Tre. Not yet
Speed Boat travel: From Can Tho to Ben Tre. Not yet
Cruises: Not yet.
Train travel: Not yet.
Bicycle and motorcycle travel: While it’s possible to rent a motorbike to explore the Ben Tre city, most visitors choose to utilize the free bicycles offered by most resorts and homestays. The roads are bumpy and occasionally muddy but the distances are relatively short. You’ll notice that many of the locals opt to travel by bike as well so you’ll be in good company. From HCMC you can find “Thanh Lam motorbike rental shop: Address at No.17C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, contact: 0902 840 361” or “Style Motorbikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.42/24 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, contact: 0915.139.796” and “Dragon Bikes motorbike rental shop: Address at No.182/5A De Tham Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, contact: 0909 283 280. Top Tip: Ben Tre has the most beautiful scenes in the Mekong Delta and they are still very original. Renting a bicycle and riding around the streets in the countryside is really an memorable experience. Inside the city area, it is recommended to ride a bicycle along 883 Streets (Đường huyện 883), Binh Phu village, and My Thanh An Village. If you have enough time, riding a bicycle to other districts (Mo Cay Bac, Chau Thanh,..) is also amazing.
Ferry travel:
Best time to Visit Ben Tre
Ben Tre welcomes you in any season all year round, each of which will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time to visit Ben Tre is from September to March. The weather is cool and pretty comfortable, so you can join any activity that you like. Additionally, From June to August is the fruit season. Therefore, you will have the chance to admire the colorful orchards as well as enjoy delicious fruit in these months.
Floating season (September – December): It is the best time to visit Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta region in general. You can go fishing in our traditional wooden boats, discover pristine nature and spend time in some orchards.
Rainy season (May – October): It is not a bad choice when traveling to Ben Tre during rainy seasons since the rains are short and will not affect your trip.
Dry season (January – April): It is hot and dry during this time, however, it is harvesting time here and you can enjoy fruit picking activities with the locals. Even visiting the Cai Mon flower village During Tet holiday in January of the lunar month.
Ben Tre Tourist Attractions
Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals
Book Ben Tre Daily Tours:
Ben Tre boat tour & hand rowing sampan (with lunch)
Ben Tre Tour & Small Coconut Canals (no lunch)
Ben Tre Tour From Ho Chi Minh 1 Day (full day)
Ben Tre Tour From Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Ben Tre tour from HCMC to CanTho 1 day
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
If you plan to visit Mekong Delta, coconut candy village and boat trip in small canals is also one of the most highlight things to do, see, eat and shop in Cai Be, Ben Tre, My Tho, Vinh Long.
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes, traditional candy, cakes, tea, coconut wine…
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes, boat, car, coach
Address: If you travel from Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit Cai Be coconut-processing village (112km). If you travel from Can Tho City, you can visit Vinh Long coconut-processing village (40km). If you travel from Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit Ben Tre coconut-processing village (90km).
Added values: If you visit Ben Tre, Cai Be, My Tho, Vinh Long, don’t leave without trying the coconut candy. Good luck and bon appétit! And any traveller passing through the area should certainly not pass up the chance to witness its fascinating manufacturing process.
Vietnamese coconut candy is one of the most popular candies in Vietnam with its sweetness of sugar, as well as the fragrance and natural fatty taste of coconut. This is also an ideal souvenir for tourists traveling to Vietnam. According to the residents, Vietnam coconut candy first appeared in Mo Cay District, Ben Tre province of Mekong Delta in the 1930s. Initially known as Mo Cay candy, it was a homemade treat served to guests during festive seasons or the Tet holiday. Since 1970 it has become more well-known and been produced on a larger scale. Because of this, the specialty has gained popularity and become a staple in Ben Tre, My Tho Cai Be, Vinh Long visitors’ gift baskets.
Mekong Delta’s Coconut candy-making process. Coconut candy is relatively simple to make with widely available ingredients. Candy makers’ keen eyes ensure each component is of the highest quality. The three main ingredients are malt syrup, sugar, and coconut… Read more info & pictures
Vietnam Coconut Kingdom in Ben Tre
Once you travel slowly in Ben Tre 1 day by motorbike, foot or even by boat, you will see the endless lines of coconut trees anywhere in Ben Tre. Coconut is one of the symbols of this land. Locals here use all kinds of coconut trees in their daily life. You can see several traditional houses with coconut leaf thatched roofs and walls, drink the most delicious coconut juice – Pineapple Coconut – visit the coconut candy factory… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre Pottery & Brick Kiln Factory
There are hundred old brick and pottery factories in Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Can Tho which are super impressive and unique to see when you travel to Vinh Long, Ben Tre or Can Tho… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre Sampan Ride in Small Canals
Book Ben Tre Daily Tours:
Ben Tre boat tour & hand rowing sampan (with lunch)
Ben Tre Tour & Small Coconut Canals (no lunch)
Ben Tre Tour From Ho Chi Minh 1 Day (full day)
Ben Tre Tour From Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Ben Tre tour from HCMC to CanTho 1 day
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
Ben Tre hand-rowing sampan (small boat) is one of the authentic and traditional boats that the Mekong peoples used to have for the markets, floating markets, traveling around, loading goods and even for the wedding. Sampan in Ben Tre can accommodate about 4 adults with the small size, and 8 adults with the bigger one… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre Kayaking and Canalling
Depending on where you’re staying, your homestay or hotel will probably have a list of activities you can choose from.
On the islets or the coconut farmstays, there are many small canals and less boat traffic which is quite fun for kayaking activity. The muddy fresh water may be interesting in the low tide. It is fun to do in the afternoon. Make sure you put a life jacket on! Safety is priority.
Ben Tre Cycling Tour
This is a favourite thing to do in Ben Tre, Mekong Delta. While biking or driving a scooter only induces panic and stress in Vietnam’s big cities, the bicycle is actually enjoyable in Vietnam’s small towns. Be sure to pin your hotel or homestay’s location on your map when you embark on your journey: there are a lot of twists and turns to these roads that could get you confused.
If you take a ferry to another island, don’t be worried if your Google Maps feature just shows a block of green, without mapping any actual roads. Just learn or write down the phrase “Phà ở đâu?” (Where is the ferry?) Show someone this and give them the name and address of your accommodation; that will probably get you where you need to be.
Ben Tre Night Market
Situated between two busy roads, Phan Ngoc Tong Street and Hung Vuong Street, the Ben Tre night market serves clothes, handmade souvenirs and an enormous range of coconut-derived crafts. You could browse the wares for hours if you wish, and maybe take a short break to pick up some delicious fresh fruit, grown in the local orchards. If you get tired of shopping, the nearby Ben Tre riverfront with its idyllic lights and calming serenity makes for a perfect location for a romantic evening stroll. The market opens from 7 pm till midnight… Read more info & pictures
Son Doc Puff Rice Paper Village
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: One and a half hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/son-doc-puff-rice-paper-village-ben-tre/
Address: Located in Giong Trom District, Ben Tre province
Added values: My Long rice paper with Son Doc puff pastry is a dish that crystallizes the ingenuity and creativity of Ben Tre people, and the many products that nature has bestowed on coconut land. My Long rice paper and Son Doc puff pastry are becoming more and more famous, well-received, and recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the nation. That is the pride worthy of the people of My Long Son Doc… Read more info & pictures
Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village
Dong Khoi guerrilla village is located in Dinh Thuy commune, Mo Cay district. Here, visitors can visit the exhibition hall, which displays the rudimentary weapons that the people of Ben Tre in the past used to fight the invaders… Read more info & pictures
Vam Ho bird sanctuary
Located in the two communes of My Hoa and Tan Xuan, Vam Ho is a mangrove forest with many wild plants and 84 different kinds of bird. Visit Vam Ho bird sanctuary, visitors can trek across the mangrove forest, visit the resistance base, go through the bamboo bridge and enjoy the fresh air. When you are tired, you can lie back on the hammock swaying under the shade and breathe the fresh air of Ba Lai River… Read more info & pictures
Cai Mon Orchard & Flower Village
Cai Mon Orchard Village is considered as the kingdom of bonsai in Vietnam, and the cradle of fruit trees in South Vietnam, with fruit available in any season. Cai Mon’s professional village annually supplies products such as durians, mangosteens, mangoes, longans and varieties of citrus. There are also many graft and multiplication artisans who create the diversity of bonsai shapes by the very spectacular figures of deer, stag, dragon, phoenix… Walking along winding paths round lush green gardens and enjoying the melodious tune of Don Ca Tai Tu music and song, you will realize this is truly a like-no-other place to discover. Besides fruits, Cai Mon Village is also famous with flowers and ornamental plants gardens. This is one of the most tourist attractions of Ben Tre where you can enjoy the ripe crops at the fruit orchard and also extend the experiences in the middle of flowering farms… Read more info & pictures
Thoi Son Island
Thoi Son island will be such an excellent destination in Ben Tre of Vietnam. More specifically, you can enjoy seasonal local fruits and listen to folk music (Don ca tai tu) at the same time. Also, travelers can explore how to make coconut candy. It’s such an interesting process… Read more info & pictures
Phuoc Long Craft Village
Born with the concept of preserving coconut use in everyday lives, the village produces hundreds of craft products a day, from an eating bowl to a market basket. Driving to this 20-year-old village is relatively easy. It is situated in Giong Trom district, crossing Ben Tre 2 Bridge, turns right 12km at 887 province Road, the destination is right ahead… Read more info & pictures
An Hiep mattress-making village
Follow 60 National Road and turn right at 884 Province Road, you will find An Hiep village of Chau Thanh District. The mattress-making work, which requires persistence and endurance, started early in the village’s history and still strikes till this day in every year’s end. Hoa Loi water pot village: Due to the coastal location, villagers are prone to inventing storing water tools. The pots of this Thach Phu district village are all enormous in size, quality uniformed, and displayed for tourism sale… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre Tours and Free itineraries
As a local travel expert in Ben Tre, here is some options for your Ben Tre discovery:
Itinerary 1: Ben Tre Excursion from Ben Tre city center (full day)
Itinerary 2: Ben Tre Tour from HCMC 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 3: Ben Tre Tour from Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 4: Ben Tre Tour from HCMC and Drop off in Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Itinerary 5: Ben Tre Homestay Tour from HCMC 2 Day (2 days, 1 night in Ben Tre)
Itinerary 6: Ben Tre & Can Tho Tour from HCMC (2 days, 1 night in Can Tho)
Book Ben Tre Daily Tours:
Ben Tre boat tour & hand rowing sampan (with lunch)
Ben Tre Tour & Small Coconut Canals (no lunch)
Ben Tre Tour From Ho Chi Minh 1 Day (full day)
Ben Tre Tour From Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
Ben Tre tour from HCMC to CanTho 1 day
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
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
Ben Tre Homestays and Hotels
Forever Green Resort
Location: Phu Khuong Hamlet, Phu Tuc Commune, Chau Thanh District; Room rate: 850,000 VND / night ($37), contact: 0275 3 618 618, website: http://www.forevergreenresort.com
Ben Tre Riverside Resort
Location: No.708 Nguyen Van Tu street, Ward 7, Ben Tre City; Room rate: 600,000 – 1,150,000 VND / night ($26 – 50), contact: 0275 3 554 888, website: https://bentreriverside.com
Mango Home Riverside
Location: Nghia Huan Hamlet, My Thanh Village, Giong Trom District; Room rate: 550,000 VND / night ($24), contact: 0275 3 511 958, fanpage: https://vi-vn.facebook.com/Mangohomeriverside
Viet Uc Hotel
Location: 144 Hung Vuong street (riverside), Ward, Street, Bến Tre, Vietnam; Room rate: 850,000 VND / night ($40), contact: +84 275 3511 888, website: http://www.vietuchotel.vn/en.html
Diamond Star Hotel
Location: 140 Hùng Vương, An Hoi Ward, Bến Tre, 86000, Vietnam; Room rate: 800,000 VND / night ($35), contact: +84 275 3748 888, website: http://diamondstarbentre.com/en/main.html
Oasis Hotel
Location: No.151C My An C, My Thanh An Village, Ben Tren City Center; Room rate: 250,000 – 450,000 VND / night ($11 – 19), contact: 0938 072 747, fanpage: https://vi-vn.facebook.com/OasisHotelbentre
Xom Dua Nuoc Homestay
Location: Lo Cau Nha Viec, Hamlet 3, Phu Nhuan Commune, Ben Tren City, Room rate: 300,000 – 700,000 VND / night ($13 – 30), contact: 090 385 76 07, website: https://www.facebook.com/xomduanuoc
If you are on a tight budget, you can consider some low price Ben Tre accommodation listed as below:
Hoai Phu Hotel is at 616B2, Phu Khuong street, Phu Khuong District with US$9/ day.
Hung Vuong Hotel Ben Tre is at No 166, Hung Vuong street, 3 District with US$16/ day.
Dong Nam A 2 Hotel is at 333A3 Dong Khoi, Phu Tan district with US$11/ day.
Ben Tre Markets, Shopping and Souvenirs
Ben Tre Market
Ticket:Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – Dust
Food:Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/ben-tre-market-mekong-delta/
Address: The East door is located in 30 Hung Vuong, Ward 1, Ben Tre. The West door is located in Street 30/4, Ward 2, Ben Tre.
Added values: Ben Tre Market is a very famous market. The atmosphere here is always noisy, busy, and crowded like a festival. Coming to this place, in addition to sightseeing, you can also enjoy the specialties of Ben Tre… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre Food and Drink
Ben Tre Floating Restaurant
This rather grand-looking floating restaurant is set on a giant dragon boat and features three floors. The menu includes a dizzying array of Vietnamese dishes, including seafood, clay pots and hotpots. Prices are on the high side, but it’s a good location to draw the river. Address: Near Hung Vuong street, phone: 075-382 2492, hours: 10am-10pm, price: 50,000-200,000d
Thuy Pizza
Adding a welcome touch of innovation to Ben Tre’s largely uninspiring dining scene, this friendly place attracts a healthy contingent of travellers and curious locals. The pizza is as good as can be expected in a small-town delta, and owner Thuy is friendly and keen to practise her English. Address: 51 Ngo Quyen street, hours: Noon-10pm, price from 65,000d
Nam Son
Centrally located, this place attracts a lively local crowd thanks to its popular grilled chicken, best washed down with draught beer. Address: 40 Ð Phan Ngoc Tong, phone: 0275-382 2873, hours: 11am-10pm, price: 26,000-60,000d
Phu Le Rice Wine Factory
In Ba Tri District, the Phu Le Rice Wine Factory is one place where tourists can get hands-on experience with local crafts and products. Made by Mrs. Loan, a master distiller, rice wine has become a family tradition for this small community. Producing about 40 liters of wine per week, the factory exports the beverage to bars and restaurants throughout the area… Read more info & pictures
Elephant Ear Fish (fried giant gourami)
The guests will be served a crispy and beautifully fried Elephant Ear Fish (Gourami), displayed majestically on wooden holders. A server helped us take the meat from the body, which we rolled into fresh spring rolls and enjoyed with the traditional fish-sauce-and-chilli combo.
Coconut candy
You can’t talk about Ben Tre without mentioning coconut candy. The best Coconut candy is produced in Mo Cay district. It is soft, tasty, greasy and slightly sweet in a unique way that you can’t find anywhere else. They use a combination of coconut and other fruits like durian and peanut to create a more flavorful candy that will leave your mind unforgettable experiences. Making coconut candy is considered an art, with the secret recipe being only transmitted in the family… Read more info & pictures
Coconut wine
It is another specialty of Ben Tre. Unlike other wines, drinking coconut wine won’t make you get drunk but just a little groggy and something special in the throat. The wine is cool and sweet with coconut flavor. Ask the local or your accommodation staff to buy the genuine coconut wine.
Flat banana
The selected banana must be the green Siamese banana that has just turned maturity. A banana after being sliced across will be baked on a coal fire for 5 minutes. Then they take it out, put it into a plastic bag and flatten it, then put it on the flame again until the banana turns yellow. It is often served with coconut milk, which is quite tasteful. You can eat this food “Chuối đập” at Truc Giang lake in the center of Ben Tre city… Read more info & pictures
Broken rice (Com Tam)
Tourists say Com Tam here is better than in Saigon. The meat is usually roasted pork, sliced thin, in addition to chicken ram, small rind, fried egg quarters, cucumber, tomatoes, pickles… Both make this dish eye-catching and rich-nutrition.
Coconut rice
This is quite sophisticated and requires patience. To cook this dish, the rice should be carefully selected, the rice is covered with coconut milk, drained and put in the coconut water. In addition, the coconut used to cook this dish must be Siamese Coconut. Coconut rice is usually served with roasted shrimps. Places to eat famous coconut rice in Ben Tre: floating restaurant Ben Tre… Read more info & pictures
Snail pancake
Banh xeo (pancake) is not such a strange dish to the Southeast region, but Snail pancake is a special dish of Phu Da, Cho Lach district – Ben Tre. This is the rare place which has the most quantity of rice snails. Every year, April and May in the lunar calendar are the season of breeding for Rice snails, especially in the Mid-year festival (5th of May in lunar year)… Read more info & pictures
Duck noodle
Duck noodle in Ben Tre is usually cooked with duck and used with ginger sauce. Such noodles are cut into small pieces. Duck meat has white color and soup has a good taste that you will never forget if you try it one time only. You can find one of the best duck noodle restaurants in Ba Mu bridge market, Nguyen Hue, Ward 4, Ben Tre city or on Dong Khoi street.
Sea snail in coconut milk
It is one of the favourite Ben Tre street foods. The locals often cook snails in coconut milk with the mixture of lemongrass, garlic and chilli. You will not only have a taste of coconut in the snails but also have a part of the experience in eating like a local… Read more info & pictures
Coconut worm
If you are looking for a new experience, coconut worms will be the best idea. This is the most popular dish for the locals. The worm is found in the coconut tree, then deep-fried, grilled, or even eaten alive with fish sauce. Its taste is pale and greasy, really interesting to try once in your life… Read more info & pictures
Con Quy
Located along the Tien River and 23 km from the center of Ben Tre is Con Quy. This is one of the most famous destinations when referring to Ben Tre by the charming river atmosphere. Come to Con Quy, you will live in a peaceful space. In addition, you can also enjoy delicious fruit right in the garden labels, orange orchard, grapefruit garden… or drink a cup of honey smoke rose lightly and enjoy the melody from amateur-singers performance, which have been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of mankind… Read more info & pictures
Phung Island
Con Phung is located on a floating island in the middle of the Tien River in Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district. Coming here, visitors can take a motorboat along the dunes to visit the coconut candy processing facilities, coconut souvenirs or get on a horse-drawn carriage to visit the orchard, stop by the coconut-leaf house to drink tea with honey. bees and kumquats and enjoy tropical fruits.
Son Doc puff pastry village in Hung Nhuong commune is more than 100 years old. Here, visitors can visit and learn the process of making a sticky rice cake. A satisfactory cake is that after baking, it must be spongy, crispy and twice as big as when it was not baked. The craft village sells many kinds of goods for customers to buy as gifts, such as sticky rice cake with chicken seeds, glutinous rice cake with jackfruit, glutinous rice cake with durian… Read more info & pictures
Vien Minh Pagoda
Ticket:
Spend-time: Half an hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food:
Shop:
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/vien-minh-pagoda-ben-tre/
Address: Located at 156 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, in Ward 2, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre Province.
Added values: Vien Minh Pagoda is currently considered one of the famous spiritual tourist attractions in Ben Tre. With a quiet space along with a spacious and airy campus will bring you the most relaxing moments.
After 1975, the pagoda was handed over by Venerable Thien Tin to his disciple, Venerable Thich Thien Phuoc. Currently, the abbot of Vien Minh Pagoda is the Venerable Thich Hue Tri. The pagoda still retains many architectural features of the 20th century, so it has ancient features, subtle simplicity. The temple belongs to the Northern sect… Read more info & pictures
Cho Lach Flower Village
Situated between the Ham Luong and Co Chien Rivers, Cho Lach has abundant silt, vast sand dunes, lush orchards and prosperity – nowadays especially bonsai prosperity. A kingdom of fruit, the Cho Lach District is where the famous Cai Mon Durian is grown. Tourists traveling to Cho Lach District will want to stop in the Cai Mon Craft Village where millions of fruit seedlings are cultivated. Popular fruits found in the district are mangosteen, mango, durian, pepper, and various types of citrus. It is very popular for its specialty of ornamental animal plants, ornamental shape plants, uniquely shaped by skilled hands of artisans. There are several attractions at Cho Lach that visitors find simple yet adorable. It is considered a “paradise” for fruit lovers. With sufficient infrastructure modification and more effective promotional strategy, Cho Lach may very well compete with the other modern tourism sites and mark its name worldwide. At this Ben Tre village, there are hundreds of flower varieties from familiar species to rare and expensive flowers, the most typical are roses, yellow apricots, marigolds, bougainvillea, dahlias, carnations, ornamental plants, coconut flowers… Read more info & pictures
Hung Phong coconut basket weaving craft village
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: One and a half hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/hung-phong-coconut-basket-weaving-craft-village-ben-tre/
Address: Located in Giong Trom district, 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… Read more info & pictures
Phuoc Tuy bamboo knitting village
The life of Phuoc Tuy dated back more than 100 years. Every household is filled with knitting works, even the small kids contribute to this large amount of products. The knits serve daily lives and also souvenir purposes
My Long Rice Paper Village
Ticket:
Spend-time: One and a half hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/my-long-rice-paper-village-ben-tre/
Address: Located in Giong Trom District, Ben Tre province
Added values: My Long rice paper with Son Doc puff pastry is a dish that crystallizes the ingenuity and creativity of Ben Tre people, and the many products that nature has bestowed on coconut land. My Long rice paper and Son Doc puff pastry are becoming more and more famous, well-received, and recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the nation. That is the pride worthy of the people of My Long Son Doc… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre History and Culture
Ben Tre History
History in Ben Tre Province goes back centuries, but the most notable events have happened more recently. In the 19th century, the province was occupied by the French. The provincial capital, also called Ben Tre, was seen as a strategic point due to its location on the Ham Luong River, which made it easy to transport supplies, goods, and people to and from the province. The Vietnamese locals strongly resisted the French, and with the help of the Vietnam Revolutionary Force (Vietminh), there were many uprisings in the Ben Tre Province. The ultimate battle at Dien Bien Phu resulted in Ben Tre being freed from the French. With the assistance of revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh, the province regained full independence. Rising from the ashes, the city was able to recover and rebuild itself. It was then that the Kien Hoa Province was renamed Ben Tre. In tribute to the province’s darkest days, there are many war sites and memorials throughout the Ben Tre Province. One of the most famous is the Dong Khoi Monument in Ben Tre City, which honors Madame Nguyen Thi Dinh.
Don Ca Tai Tu
The people of the Mekong Delta are known for their love of music. Don Ca Tai Tu, a Vietnamese style of folk opera originally from the Mekong Delta, is a mix of ballads and theatre accompanied by a musician playing a zither or, in modern renditions, a guitar. The amusing storylines are often set in Vietnam’s countryside and can be lighthearted, sorrowful, or both. Regardless of language barriers, it’s easy to enjoy Don Ca Tai Tu, thanks to expressive acting and melodious singing. Ben Tre gardens and homestays, Thoi Son Islet, are some of the places that perform Don Ca Tai Tu music throughout the day and at dinner time.
Ben Tre Museum
Ticket:Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – Dusk
Food:Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/ben-tre-museum/
Address:Located at 146 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 3, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
Added values: Coming to Ben Tre Museum, visitors can not only admire wartime artifacts and images, but also learn about the heroic history of Ben Tre.
This museum with ancient architecture is currently used to display images and traditional revolutionary artifacts of the people of Ben Tre during the two resistance wars against foreign invaders. All rooms and corridors are used to display more than 3,000 artifacts, images, and documents such as an overview of the history of Ben Tre from the early years of the twentieth century to the end of the anti-war resistance war… Read more info & pictures
Ben Tre Nightlife
Cafe Bar Cott
Cafe Bar Cott is the best for coffee and soft drinks. It’ located in the centre of Ben Tre City in a large area but you will have a peaceful time reading or meeting friends. Add: My Thanh An, Ben Tre City, open till: 23h00
DOM Coffee F6
Style: Espresso bar, add: 28 A Truong Dinh, Binh Khoi, Ben Tre, open till 23h00
3D Coffee
Best Coffees and Vietnamese Street foods, take away or eat right there. Add: 98 C My Thanh An, Ben Tre, open till 23h00
New Club Ben Tre
Best place for the young to relax with heavy drinks, beers and disco. Add: Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Ward 1, Ben Tre, open till 3.00 am
Ben Tre Festivals, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Every year, there are many special festivals in Ben Tre, such as Dong Khoi revolutionary traditional festival (17th January) in Dinh Thuy commune, Traditional cultural festival to celebrate the birthday of a famous poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu (1st July) in An Duc commune (Ba Tri district); Festival of delicious fruits – safety and agricultural products in Ben Tre (5th May in lunar calendar), Nghinh Ong Festival (15, 16th June in lunar calendar), etc. Coconut Festival has been raised to become a National Coconut Festival, held every 2 years on 30th April with a variety of activities, attracting a lot of domestic and foreign tourists to come to visit and attend the festival.
Ben Tre Health and Safety
Dos and Don’ts for Your Trip to Ben Tre
Practical tips: Ways to save, Internet, Water, Learn a little Vietnamese and pro Tips
Ways to save:
Stay somewhere with free breakfast. Many budget hotels offer free breakfast to guests.
Eat street food. Food stalls are cheap and plentiful and are a great place to try regional specialities.
Travel by bicycle/motorbike. These two-wheeled bikes are among the cheapest ways to get around Can Tho and Mekong Delta region.
Stick to free attractions. If you’re really tight for cash, attractions such as markets cost nothing.
Can Tho group tours. If you want to see and learn as much as possible with your limited time.
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere from hotels to coffee shops. If you are from the EU you should be able to use your own data plan too. Or contact the hotel for the sim card.
Water:
Tap water is supposed to be safe but I advise against drinking it. It’s just not worth the risk. My advice is to use bottled water and save yourself from unexpected stomach problems.
Learn a little Vietnamese:
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more polite & meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated. At a bare minimum: Hello = xin chao (sin chow), yes = dạ vâng, no = không (khom), thank you = cám ơn (kahm uhn), I’m sorry = tôi xin lỗi (toy sin loy), no problem/you’re welcome = không có gì (khong koh zi), goodbye = tạm biệt (tarm byeet), I’m vegetarian = tôi ăn chay (toy an chayh), How much? = bao nhiêu? (baow nyew), spicy/hot (cay), Oh My God (ôi..choy…oi…).
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
