Travel Guide to Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals in Ben Tre, My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long Mekong Delta
Travel Guide to Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals in Ben Tre, My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long Mekong Delta

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

Travel Guide to Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals in Ben Tre, My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long Mekong Delta

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.

Currently, Ben Tre has more than 200,000 families growing coconuts, accounting for about two thirds of the total number of households in the province. Therefore, coconut groves can be found everywhere. Ben Tre boasts the largest coconut-growing area in the country at 74,000 hectares (182,800 acres), of which Giong Trom District hosts more than 17,000.

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

If you visit Mekong Delta, don’t leave without trying the coconut candy. Good luck and bon appétit! The photo of Ben Tre boat tour & small canals
Ben Tre Tour with hand rowing sampan in the 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

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

An amazing coconut boat is transporting in the Mekong river delta,Vietnam
Removing the coconut shells as a traditional way

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 nuts are sending to the boats for exporting
The locals is seperating the hard shells and the coconut flesh in Ben Tre

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 old coconut shell is used for making the coconut fiber mattress and many exported cool home handicrafts
The grating of fresh coconut flesh

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.

Nowadays, Mekong delta people create many kinds of coconut candy with different flavors attracting tourists. Those are coconut candy with cacao, coconut candy with durian, coconut candy stuffed with peanuts, … Each kind has a specific flavor, but also keeps the basic flavor. Many manufacturers process coconut candy under familiar trade-marks such as Thien Long (Thiên Long), Ngoc Huong (Ngọc Hương), which deliver coconut candy to domestic provinces and export them overseas. It can be said that coconut candy has a strong attachment to the cultural, eating, and traveling itinerary of Vietnam.
Kẹo dừa is a Vietnamese cuisine coconut candy most commonly produced in Ben Tre province, Vietnam, with coconut milk and coconut cream. The Ben Tre Province is nicknamed by the Vietnamese as the “Land of Coconut” (Xu Dua). The Vietnamese term for coconut candy is “kẹo dừa”, with kẹo = candy and dừa = coconut. Coconut candy was originally associated with Mo Cay, a small township within the Ben Tre province.

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.

Coconut trees help create an iconic image of Bến Tre, the land of many rivers. The ubiquitous trees support the local residents’ livelihood while also providing a source of cultural inspiration for literary works. They symbolize the people’s strength and compassion. Coconut candy, which has existed for more than 100 years, is a humble yet appealing treat for visitors to the province.
Coconut candy is not only a specialty but also a traditional handicraft product of Ben Tre, My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long Mekong Delta.
Ready for the markets

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

Nowadays, the journey to the land of coconut trees is a fascinating one. Tourists can witness the entire candy production process and get hands-on experience making these treats in several of Ben Tre’s famous handicraft villages.

As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.

From Can Tho city center:

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

Trying the coconut wine in Mekong Delta!

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:

Cai Be Vinh Long sampan ride in small canals

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

Nowadays, Mekong delta people create many kinds of coconut candy with different flavors attracting tourists. Those are coconut candy with cacao, coconut candy with durian, coconut candy stuffed with peanuts, … Each kind has a specific flavor, but also keeps the basic flavor. Many manufacturers process coconut candy under familiar trade-marks such as Thien Long (Thiên Long), Ngoc Huong (Ngọc Hương), which deliver coconut candy to domestic provinces and export them overseas. It can be said that coconut candy has a strong attachment to the cultural, eating, and traveling itinerary of Vietnam.

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]

Nowadays, the journey to the land of coconut trees is a fascinating one. Tourists can witness the entire candy production process and get hands-on experience making these treats in several of Ben Tre’s famous handicraft villages.

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…

Embedded slot

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…

Embedded slot

6. Google Maps of My Tho Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals

My Tho Small Canals Tour with the less touristy itinerary

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…

Embedded slot

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…

Embedded slot

8. Visit Mekong Delta Coconut Candy Village & Small Canals by yourself

Those are young coconut flesh for making coconut jam

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

Ben Tre province is the kingdom of coconut trees in Vietnam

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

Coconut milk is an indispensable ingredient of popular sweet cakes in the south like banh da lon (Vietnamese steamed layer cake made from tapioca starch, rice flour, mashed mung beans and taro), banh bo nuong (pandan and coconut tapioca cake), banh chuoi nuong (baked banana cake) or banh khoai mi (cassava cake), sold in all over the Mekong Delta’s local markets.

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

Coco home as a homestay in Cai Be Vinh Long tour. This house is built by 4000 old coconut trees in the Mekong River Delta as the only one house like this in Vietnam

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.

A stunning sunset in the coconut paradise of Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

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 candycoconut ricesnail pancake, elephant ear fish, Coconut WormYoung 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 kilnCoconut 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 VillageDong Khoi Guerrilla VillageVam Ho bird sanctuaryCai Mon Ornamental Flower Village in Cho LachBen Tre MuseumAn Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving VillagesBen Tre Night MarketPhung Island (Phoenix islet)Thoi Son IslandTurtle 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


Itineraries to go
Related posts
Son Doc Puff Rice Paper – Eat Best Food in Ben Tre
Son Doc puff rice paper is a famous specialty that tourists should try once if they have the opportunity to come to Ben Tre. The blend from the aroma of sticky, greasy taste of Ben Tre coconut and the sweet taste of cane sugar has created Son Doc puff rice paper with a rustic, sweet and aromatic flavor that is hard to match. Many tourists choose to buy Son Doc puff rice paper as a gift after traveling to Ben Tre. By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | All Best Foods & Restaurants in Ben Tre 1. Better to Know as a Food Lover Find them: Ben Tre city. Best
#BenTreTouristInformationCenter
Young Coconut Salad with Shrimp & Pork – Eat Best Food in Ben Tre
Young Coconut (coconut tofu) Salad with Shrimp & Pork is known as a "luxury" dish of the people of Ben Tre, because in order to prepare this dish, people have to cut down a whole coconut tree to get the young white core inside the trunk. By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | All Best Foods & Restaurants in Ben Tre Young Coconut Salad with Shrimp & Pork – Eat Best Food in Ben Tre 1. Better to Know as a Food Lover Find them: Ben Tre city. Best time: Dusk-Dawn Don’t miss: Young Coconut Salad with Shrimp & Pork Local’s pick: Young Coconut Salad with Shrimp & Pork Restaurant Tourist’s pick: Restaurant in
#BenTreTouristInformationCenter
Sea Snail with Coconut Milk – Eat Best Food in Ben Tre
Ben Tre is known as the coconut land of the Southwest region, it is also because of this feature that the dishes here have the flavor of coconut. Among the dishes that are combined with coconut, there is one dish that is very attractive to diners from far away, which is fried snails with coconut milk. If anyone has once visited the land of Ben Tre, they will forever remember the taste of Sea snails with coconut milk - a unique Ben Tre specialty. By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | All Best Foods & Restaurants in Ben Tre 1. Better to Know as a Food Lover Find them:
#BenTreTouristInformationCenter
Rice Snail Pancake – Eat Best Food in Ben Tre
Banh xeo (pancake) is a popular delicious cake of people in the North, Central and South regions in Vietnam. Each region has a different way of making banh xeo from ingredients, cake size to dipping sauce, with its own unique local characteristics. For the people of the South, banh xeo is not simply made from bacon or silver shrimp, but also combined with rice snails to create a unique flavor, bearing the imprint of the Mekong Delta river. If Dong Thap is famous for Cao Lanh pancakes, Ben Tre attracts tourists with rice snail pancakes. By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | All Best Foods & Restaurants
#BenTreTouristInformationCenter
Photo of the day

When people ask me what to see in Mekong today. I tell them view our MekongDelta365.

Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory & Villages
March 27, 2021
PHOTO BY THOMAS VIETNAM, MEKONG COLLECTION
Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory & Villages

Nowadays, there are more and more green and responsible tours which are meaningful and educational as well. This is why Can Tho noodle factory is getting popular for both Vietnamese and foreigners to come and explore the cuisine culture and the typical local life in Can Tho, Mekong Delta.