Visit Ben Tre: Best Things to Do and Practical Tips

Nestled in southern Vietnam, just two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre captivates travelers seeking authenticity and tranquility. Renowned for its endless coconut plantations, winding canals, and traditional craftsmanship, this province is often described as the peaceful gem of the Mekong Delta. Whether you’re a nature lover, culture enthusiast, or food connoisseur, Ben Tre offers a unique immersion into rural Vietnamese life. Prepare yourself to navigate waterways shaded by coconut palms, savor freshly picked tropical fruits, and meet artisans with ancestral knowledge. In this article, let’s discover together what to see and do in Ben Tre to fully enjoy your escape.

1. Where is Ben Tre Located?

Located in southern Vietnam, Ben Tre occupies a central position in the heart of the vast Mekong Delta. Just 85 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City (about 2 hours by road), the province is easily accessible for a day trip or extended stay. Surrounded by the provinces of Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, and Vinh Long, Ben Tre is crossed by numerous branches and canals of the Mekong, which shape a typical landscape of rivers, verdant islets, and lush coconut plantations. This exceptional geographic position makes it an ideal destination for discovering authentic river life and the natural charm of the delta.

2. How to Reach Ben Tre?

From Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre is very easy to reach and represents a perfect destination for a one-day or multi-day escape.

By Private Car with Driver

The most practical and comfortable way to reach Ben Tre. The journey takes about 2 hours depending on traffic. Traveling with Horizon Vietnam means enjoying a private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver who will pick you up directly from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. This service offers flexibility and comfort, with the possibility to stop along the way to admire the scenery or visit interesting sites.

By Bus

Reach Ben Tre easily with Thanh Buoi buses: comfort and frequent departures from Ho Chi Minh City

Buses depart regularly from Ho Chi Minh City’s bus stations, especially from Mien Tay station. Well-known companies like Thanh Buoi and Futa Bus offer multiple departures daily. The journey takes between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on traffic and stops along the way.

By Motorbike

For travelers seeking adventure and freedom, it’s possible to rent a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City and drive on your own. The route offers beautiful landscapes typical of southern Vietnam. However, it’s advisable to have good driving experience and respect local traffic rules.

By Boat

Travel to Ben Tre via Ho Chi Minh and My Tho, with a peaceful cruise on the Mekong

You can reach Ben Tre by combining road and cruise on the Mekong. Some tours organized from Ho Chi Minh City offer sailing down the river by boat to My Tho, then continuing in sampans or small motorboats through the canals to Ben Tre. A unique experience to discover the delta from the water, as close as possible to river life.

3. What Is the Best Time to Visit Ben Tre?

Thanks to its tropical climate, Ben Tre can be visited year-round, but some periods are more favorable depending on your preferences.

Dry Season (December to April)

This is undoubtedly the best time to explore Ben Tre. During these months, the weather is generally dry and sunny and temperatures range from 25°C to 32°C, ideal for outdoor activities. Sampan rides on canals lined with coconut palms and bicycle excursions through villages are particularly pleasant.

The Mekong Delta, renowned for its orchards, becomes a realm of brilliant flowers as Tet approaches

January and February are also lively with the Tet Nguyen Đan celebrations (Lunar New Year), Vietnam’s largest festival. It’s a unique time to discover local traditions, colorful markets, and the festive atmosphere throughout the province.

Rainy Season (May to November)

This period is marked by showers, often brief and in the late afternoon. The landscapes become brilliantly green and the orchards are lush. From June to August is the best time to savor the many tropical fruits produced locally.

In May or June (according to the lunar calendar), the Tet Đoan Ngo (Double Fifth Festival) takes place, which celebrates purification and renewal, with specific traditional dishes.

Nghinh Ong Festival (Festival welcoming the Whale God)

In August, in coastal districts such as Binh Dai and Ba Tri, the Nghinh Ong Festival (Festival welcoming the Whale God) takes place. This colorful celebration includes religious rituals, maritime processions, and folk performances, attracting numerous visitors and fishermen seeking protection and prosperity.

For those seeking tranquility, March, April, and October are recommended. The climate remains pleasant and sites are less crowded, offering a more peaceful experience.

What to Do and See in Ben Tre?

Known for its peaceful landscapes, its endless coconut plantations, and its authentic river culture, Ben Tre is an ideal destination for travelers wanting to connect with nature, savor local gastronomy, and experience simple and sincere human encounters. In the heart of the Mekong Delta, it invites you to slow down and discover the daily life of the inhabitants among rivers, orchards, and traditional knowledge.

Navigate the Waterways by Sampan

No visit to Ben Tre would be complete without a ride in a sampan on the small canals lined with coconut palms. It’s one of the most emblematic experiences of the Mekong Delta. Comfortably seated in this traditional vessel, you’ll glide peacefully through a network of winding waterways, where water and vegetation seem to intertwine.

Sampan ride on the peaceful waterways of Ben Tre

Along the way, you’ll discover a typical and relaxing landscape: water palms forming real green tunnels, fishermen casting their nets, and stilt houses lining the riverbanks. This excursion also offers a privileged glimpse into the daily life of Ben Tre’s inhabitants, who live in harmony with the river and its natural resources. A moment of tranquility and authenticity that lets you fully feel the soul of the delta.

Visit the Verdant Islets

The islets (cù lao) of Ben Tre, such as Tan Long Island (Cu Lao Tan Long), Quy Island (Con Quy), and Phung Island (Con Phụng), are true havens of greenery. These small river islands, accessible by boat, are renowned for their lush orchards where rambutan, mango, durian, and longan grow. Walking along shaded paths, you can pick and taste tropical fruits while enjoying the tranquility of these places.

Some islets also offer craft workshops where inhabitants perpetuate traditional knowledge.

Phung Island is also home to a pond of tame carp that are bottle-fed

• Quy Island (Con Quy) — Located in Chau Thanh district, it’s the smallest of the “four sacred islands” (Tu Linh) of the Mekong Delta. It’s famous for its delicious fruits and shrimp. Visitors can also watch Don Ca Tai Tu performances, a traditional southern music style inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

• Phung Island (Con Phung) — Located on the Tien River, it offers motorboat tours to visit coconut candy production workshops and coconut craft items. You can also take a carriage ride through the orchards, taste honey and kumquat tea, and savor tropical fruits. Original activities are proposed, such as crocodile fishing or bottle-feeding carp!

Taste Local Culinary Specialties

The gastronomy of Ben Tre is a true sensory journey. Among the must-try dishes are savory caramelized fish in a pot (Ca kho tô), the famous crispy fried elephant fish (Ca tai tuong chien xu), and Phu Da snails. Fondue lovers can savor Lau mam (fermented fish fondue with Mekong vegetables), while grilled shrimp with coconut will delight the most discerning palates. Also not to be missed are Goi cu hu dua (coconut heart palm salad with shrimp or pork), Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepe), and Canh chua ca (sweet and sour fish soup).

Tasting the culinary specialties of the Mekong Delta

And of course, conclude your meal with an abundance of tropical fruits: mango, rambutan, longan, durian, or Ben Tre’s famous pomelo, renowned for its sweetness. In lively markets and with local families, every dish tells a story, a territory, and knowledge passed down through generations. In Ben Tre, every meal becomes an authentic and warm culinary experience.

Visit Ben Tre’s Lush Orchards

In Ben Tre, numerous orchards welcome visitors year-round. Depending on the season, you can pick and taste rambutan, mango, longan, durian, or the famous Ben Tre pomelos. It’s a simple and pleasant activity, perfect for families or those wanting to enjoy nature.

Sweet pause: fresh fruit and honey-scented tea

Beyond tasting fresh fruit, visitors often have the chance to enjoy honey-scented tea, a local specialty appreciated for its sweetness. It’s also a convivial moment to chat with farmers, discover their daily life, and learn more about farming in the Mekong Delta.

Explore by Bicycle or Motorbike

Visitors enjoy a bicycle ride around the islets of Ben Tre

The small winding roads lined with coconut palms, rice fields, and canals are perfect for bicycle or motorbike excursions. This gentle mode of transport allows you to fully immerse yourself in the rural landscape and take time to observe the daily life of the inhabitants. Along the way, you can stop in small villages, visit local markets, or simply enjoy the surrounding tranquility.

Discover Artisanal Villages

Ben Tre is also renowned for its artisanal villages where traditional knowledge is transmitted from generation to generation.

Discovering handicraft products made from coconut

You can visit coconut candy production workshops (keo dua), a renowned regional specialty, observe the weaving of mats from plant fibers, and discover the traditional production of clay bricks. These visits are also an opportunity to meet artisans, better understand their work, and appreciate the essential role they play in the local economy.

Coconut candy production workshop in Ben Tre

Visit the My Long rice cracker village, where visitors can watch the production of rice crackers (Banh Trang). These are dried in the sun, then grilled over charcoal fire to offer hot, crispy crackers perfumed with coconut milk.

My Long rice cracker village

In the Son Doc puffed cracker village, located in Hung Nhuong commune and with over 100 years of history, you’ll discover the entire production process of puffed rice crackers (Banh Phong Nep). A good cracker, after cooking, must be light, crispy, and double in volume. The village offers various varieties to take away as souvenirs: sticky rice crackers with eggs, jackfruit, or even durian.

Preparing bananas for banana puffed cracker production

Drying puffed crackers

The Phuoc Tuy weaving village, in Ba Tri district, about 40 km east of Ben Tre city, is also a must-see. The inhabitants handcraft everyday items made of bamboo, such as baskets, mats, and sieves. Each family has their specialty: some make fishing nets, others make coasters or trays. Visitors can not only watch the artisans at work but also learn their techniques and participate in the production.

Phuoc Tuy weaving village

Visit Cultural Sites

For those interested in history, spirituality, and local heritage, Ben Tre offers several remarkable cultural sites worthy of a visit.

Vien Minh Pagoda, nestled in a peaceful setting and adorned with delicate sculptures, is much more than a simple place of worship. It’s a space for meditation and contemplation, where visitors can perceive the spiritual peace characteristic of the Mekong Delta.

The mausoleum and commemorative complex of Nguyen Dinh Chieu

Not far away, the mausoleum and commemorative complex of Nguyen Dinh Chieu, a great 19th-century Vietnamese poet and patriot, honors one of the region’s most respected literary and historical figures. Through its exhibitions and objects preserved on-site, this commemorative site retraces his commitment to freedom, education, and Vietnamese culture.

These visits offer an authentic immersion into Ben Tre’s history and traditions, allowing travelers to better understand the soul of the province and the rich heritage of its inhabitants.

Practical Tips for Preparing Your Visit Well

To make your stay in Ben Tre as pleasant as possible, it’s important to prepare well. The tropical climate, outdoor activities, and local life require some precautions and simple adjustments. Here are our practical tips to fully enjoy your discovery of the Mekong Delta:

• Wear lightweight and breathable clothes to cope with humid heat.
• Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during visits.
• Plan comfortable shoes suitable for walking on irregular or wet terrain.
• Bring a scarf or shawl, useful for visiting pagodas or protecting yourself from the sun.
• Download a translation app if you don’t speak Vietnamese.
• Book activities in advance, especially during holiday periods like Tet.
• Respect local customs: remove your shoes before entering residents’ homes or sacred places.
• Prepare a small waterproof bag to protect your phone or cameras during sampan excursions.
• Be curious and smiling: Ben Tre’s inhabitants are renowned for their hospitality.

Ben Tre is much more than a simple stop in the Mekong Delta. Among its peaceful canals lined with coconut palms, its generous orchards, its authentic craftsmanship, and the warm welcome of its inhabitants, it offers a unique experience, far from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Whether you want to navigate the waterways by sampan, savor local specialties, explore artisanal villages, or simply immerse yourself in the serenity of river landscapes, Ben Tre will satisfy all your expectations. Well prepared, your journey will be an opportunity to experience unforgettable moments and discover the true soul of the Mekong Delta. If you wish, Horizon Vietnam can also accompany you in discovering this region, with personalized itinerary suggestions and services suited to your pace. Ready to leave for Ben Tre? The Mekong Delta awaits you with its hidden treasures and sincere smiles.