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 Ben Tre, My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Ben Tre Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
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
Blog:
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.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from HCMC and Can Tho? Or maybe you found it too long a drive here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Cai Be pop rice cake village, Cai Be floating market, Tan Phong island & small canals, fruit gardens, Cao Dai temple in Cai Be, Vinh Trang pagoda in My Tho, Brick and pottery kiln in Vinh Long Mekong delta river excursion…
2. Travel Guide to Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals in Ben Tre, Cai Be, My Tho and Vinh Long
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
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.
The production of coconut candy starts with the removal of the coconut shells and then the grating of fresh coconut flesh. The grated flesh is then pressed to extract coconut milk which is for making coconut candy. The leftover coconut meat is dried for 1 or 2 days and then pressed again for coconut oil, which can be used to make skin or hair care products. Big pieces of coconut shell are carved and decorated to make souvenirs for visitors. Smaller broken shells are fuel for cooking the coconut candy.
The next step is the addition of malt syrup and sugar to this mixture of coconut milk. The ratio of the various ingredients is a closely guarded secret of individual coconut candy manufacturers. The mixing process is often entrusted only to the family members of the factory owner. Slight variations in the ingredient ratios can lead to very different texture and taste in the final product.
The mixture is then heated to a very high temperature over 40 minutes in large woks over fires generated by the burning of coconut shells. While being heated, the mixture is stirred continuously to ensure even heat distribution. Traditionally, the locals had to stand near the pot and keep an eye on its progress and the stirring process was done manually with large wooden paddles. The candy-makers could add some durian, pandan leaf juice, or roasted peanuts to enhance the flavor. In larger modern manufacturing facilities, these paddles have been replaced by electric motors. The mixture eventually caramelises to a thicker texture. Recognising when the mixture has been cooked to the right level is more of an art than an exact science. While it is still hot and soft, the thickened mixture is then stringed out into non-stick molds and allowed to cool.
After the mixture is hard, the final step sees the candy strings cut into rectangular lozenges, then wrapped and packaged. Traditionally, coconut candy is wrapped in two layers of wrappings. The inner layer is edible rice paper, and the outer layer is paper soaked in vegetable oil. These measures were necessary to stop the candy from sticking to the paper wrapping. Larger manufacturers now use heat-sealed foil paper, which does not stick to the candy.
3. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Can Tho city center:
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
Route 1: Hotel in Can Tho center – Vinh Long boat station – Traditional Brick & pottery kiln factory – Vinh Long poprice cake factory and coconut candy – Local garden – Sampan ride – Lunch on the islet – Hotel in Can Tho center [Full day]
Route 2: Hotel in Can Tho center – Cai Be boat station – Cai Be poprice cake factory and coconut candy – Local garden – Sampan ride – Lunch on the islet – Traditional Brick & pottery kiln factory – Hotel in Can Tho center [Full day]
From Ho Chi Minh city center:
Book Cai Be Vinh Long Daily Tours:
Transfer from HCMC to Can Tho with boat SightSeeing & Coconut candy
Cai Be Tour From Ho Chi Minh 1 Day
Cai Be River Tour From Can Tho 1 Day
Cai Be River Tour & Vinh Long Islet Homestay 2D1N
Vinh Long secret tour from Can Tho 1 day
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
Route 1: Hotel in HCMC center – Cai Be boat station – Cai Be poprice cake factory and coconut candy – Local garden – Sampan ride – Lunch on the islet – Vinh Long Traditional Brick & pottery kiln factory – Hotel in Can Tho center or back to hotel in HCMC [Full day]
Route 2: Hotel in HCMC center – Cai Be boat station – Cai Be poprice cake factory and coconut candy– Local garden – Sampan ride – Lunch on the islet – Back to Cai Be – Back to hotel in HCMC [Full day]
Route 3: Hotel in HCMC center – Ben Tre boat station – Ben Tre Traditional Brick & pottery kiln factory – Ben Tre coconut candy village – Local handicraft village – Xe Loi Tuk Tuk ride – Sampan ride – Lunch in the garden – Back to Ben Tre boat station – Back to hotel in HCMC [Full day]
Route 4: Hotel in HCMC center – Vinh Trang pagoda – My Tho boat station – My Tho coconut candy village and honey farm– Horse ride in the village – Local garden and Traditional music of Don Ca Tai Tu – Sampan ride in small canal – Lunch on the islet – Back to My Tho boat station – Back to hotel in HCMC [Full day]
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, Cai Be, My Tho, Vinh Long and End in Can Tho city. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, Mekong nature 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 HCMC – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Ben Tre – My Tho – Can Tho daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
4. Google Maps of Ben Tre Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals
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…
5. Google Maps of Cai Be Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals
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. Google Maps of My Tho Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals
Book My Tho Daily Tours:
My Tho Boat Tour & hand rowing sampan (with lunch)
My Tho Tour & Small Coconut Canals (no lunch)
My Tho Tour From Ho Chi Minh 1 Day (full day)
My Tho Tour From Can Tho 1 Day (full day)
My Tho tour from HCMC to CanTho 1 day
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
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…
7. Google Maps of Vinh Long Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals
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…
8. Visit Mekong Delta Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals 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. These 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 village to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in the Cai Be, Ben Tre, My Tho, Vinh Long 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 and homestay tours in Cai Be, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Can Tho.
9. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit the Coconut Candy Traditional Village
It is always good to repeat “responsible travel” over and over. Traditional cuisine itself is facing so many challenges from fast foods and fusion foods with imported ingredients. We do appreciate any of you who do visit and take good behavior to this local village and the traditional factory. Top tip: There are less and less traditional places like this in Vietnam because of fast and morden life.
10. 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. 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
11. Pro Tips
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the Cai Be floating market or Can Tho floating market
If you plan to extend your travel to Cai Be Vinh Long Ben Tre Can Tho homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Cai Be Vinh Long Ben Tre Can Tho 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 the 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
