Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre: Travel by Bike, Bus, Car or Cruise
Ready to trade the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh for the tranquil canals of Ben Tre? Just a quick ride away, the journey from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre is the perfect getaway past noisy streets to serene coconut plantations. Take the local bus, travel comfortably in a car, or sail through the waters of the delta. This trip is your doorway to the charm of the Mekong. Tips? Check out our comprehensive guide to traveling to the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh and plan your ideal trip!
The travel distance from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre is approximately 85 kilometers from the city center. The travel duration varies from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the bus, car, or cruise you use.
A bus trip from Mien Tay bus station is the cheapest option, while a private vehicle provides convenience and speed. Prefer to travel the scenic route? Consider taking a Mekong river cruise.
Need more information? Our comprehensive how to get to Mekong from Ho Chi Minh includes it all the bus tickets to secret stops in between. Where do you begin? The journey from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre is the ideal starting point for the Mekong!
Travel Options Compared for Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre
Public Bus – Budget-Friendly and Local
Want the cheapest option to get from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre? Take a public bus and see the way the locals travel in southern Vietnam.
Departure point: Mien Tay Bus Station, 395 Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh
Travel time: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
Ticket price: From 70,000 to 110,000 VND
Booking: Purchase tickets at the bus station or through local booking platforms such as Vexere or Baolau
Trusted Operators:
FUTA (Phuong Trang) – Comfortable seating available; many departures a day. Hotline: 1900 6067
Thao Chau – Regular buses, good service, popular with the locals. Hotline: 0838 351 917
Kim Hoang – Suitable for day-trippers with early morning departures. Hotline: 028 3924 2424
Pros:
Extremely low-cost and readily available
Every 30-60 minutes, buses operate from the morning till the evening
Recommended for value-for-money travelers and independent travelers
Cons:
May does not include hotel pickup
There can be varying levels of comfort
Limited English-speaking staff at terminals
Public Bus (Sours: carryononly)
Limousine Bus – Comfort at a Mid-Range Price
Want to upgrade your travel experience without paying too much? Consider taking a limousine bus from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre. These high-end vans carry 9 to 16 people and are more luxurious and relaxing to travel in.
Travel time: 2 hours
Price: 150,000 to 200,000 VND
Pickup: Many companies offer hotel pickup within central districts
Recommended Operators:
The Sinh Tourist – International travelers’ trusted choice. Website: thesinhtourist.vn
Phuong Trang Limousine – Luxury arm of the FUTA Group. Website: futabus.vn
Thinh Phat Limousine – Luxury vehicles with built-in chargers and reclining massaging chairs. Call 1900 272 708
Pros:
Soft leather upholstery, bottled water service, in-flight internet
Pickup from the hotel or meeting point
Improved service and fewer passengers
Cons:
Somewhat more costly compared to public buses
Booking is advisable, particularly in high season
Limousine Bus (Sours: nhieuxe)
Private Car or Taxi – Total Flexibility and Privacy
Traveling with family or do you prefer your own pace? Taking a private car from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre will offer the flexibility to stop over en route, personalize your itinerary, and travel comfortably.
Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Price range: 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 VND per trip (one way)
Mai Linh Taxi – Accessible through the short code 1055
Saigon Private Car – English-speaking drivers and book online at saigonprivatecar.com
Klook or Grab Premium – Provides fixed-rate private transfers with ratings
Pros:
Private door-to-door service
Personalizable itinerary (visit My Tho, Rach Mieu Bridge, or plantations of coconuts)
Ideal for families, senior travelers, or business travelers
Cons:
The highest available from all the options
Prone to traffic delays if traveling during rush hour
Taxi (Sours: backofthebiketours)
Mekong Cruise Tour – Scenic and Cultural
Why travel when you can experience? Take your travels further with a full-day cruise tour from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre and see the Mekong Delta’s most breathtaking canals, workshops, and tropical scenery, a treat for travelers who desire more than just a commute.
Tour duration: 10-12 hours (round trip)
Price: ~$75-$100 USD per person
Inclusions: Inclusions include hotel transfer, transfers to My Tho or Vinh Long, boat cruise, lunchtime meal, visits to orchards, and a bilingual guide
Tour Operators:
Mekong Eyes Cruises – Boutique river cruises. Website: mekongeyes.com
TNK Travel – Reliable Mekong day tours. Website: tnktravel.com
GetYourGuide / Viator – International booking platforms with verified reviews
Typical Itinerary:
Morning hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City
Travel to My Tho and take a boat to Ben Tre
Visit the coconut candy workshop, the tropical orchard
Sampan boat along palm-lined canals
Lunch at the riverside restaurant near home
Back to Ho Chi Minh in the late afternoon
Pros:
Stress-free and all-in
Ideal for beginners or people with limited timelines
Discover local culture with guided tours
Cons:
Fixed group schedule
Not ideal if you require a quick one-way transfer
Mekong Cruise (Sours: vinpearl)
Local Insights & Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre Tour
When’s the Best Time to Go?
Ben Tre has a tropical monsoon climate, hot and humid, but green every month. Timing your visit can make all the difference, however:
December to April (Dry Season): This is the best travel time from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre. Enjoy sunshine and light winds and perfect boat-cruising weather.
May to November (Rainy Season): Bright and lush, but the occasional downpours can interrupt boat tours. Pack a poncho and take care to keep your camera dry!
Festivals to catch: Be sure to catch Tet (Lunar New Year) in January or February, or the Coconut Festival (biennially), a colorful celebration of Ben Tre’s signature fruit!
Coconut Festival (Sours: lakbaypinas)
Must-Try Local Dishes in Ben Tre
Ben Tre food is more than just a meal, it’s a culinary journey through coconut plantations and riverside kitchens. After traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre, this is what you should seek out:
Hu tieu: A southern noodle soup served with pork, shrimp, or seafood, and topped with fried shallots and fresh greens.
Lau ca (Fish hot pot): Served with local catfish and sour tamarind broth, it is ideal for sharing with groups.
Coconut candy (keo dua): Homemade in the center of Ben Tre province, the chewy and sweet candies are delicious treats to bring home as souvenirs.
Elephant ear fish (ca tai tuong chien xu): Deep-fried and then served standing upright a photo-worthy and tasty must-order!
Safety & Street Smarts for Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre Tour
Vietnam is usually secure, and Ben Tre is particularly tranquil. Keep the following tips in mind, however:
Negotiate before you ride: Before using local taxis or boats, always settle on the fee first, particularly where rates are not fixed.
Secure your belongings: Pickpocketing is not usual in Ben Tre but do zip up your bag where it will get jostled in bus stations or market areas.
Use official transport: Book bus tickets, a car, or a tour through confirmed platforms and operators such as FUTA, The Sinh Tourist, or Mekong Eyes.
What to Pack
Make the most out of your Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre trip by packing wisely:
Lightweight clothing: Most of the year is hot and humid. Consider cotton, linen, and short sleeve clothing.
Sunscreen and hat: Use when boating or riding through the orchards.
Insect repellent: Particularly if you’re visiting coconut plantations or sleeping out overnight.
Reusable water bottle: Drink water without adding to plastic waste.
Rain gear (May-Nov): A poncho or small umbrella is your friend during the rainy season.
Optional: Take road snacks and don’t forget to bring your camera. Ben Tre’s canals, boats, and coconut palms are postcard material!
Frequently Asked Questions about Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre Tour
1. How long is the coach ride from Ben Tre to Ho Chi Minh?
The travel time is 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Frequent buses run from Ben Tre bus station to Ho Chi Minh from main operators such as FUTA, Thao Chau, and Kim Hoang. See our guide to how to get to Mekong from Ho Chi Minh for more details.
2. How much is a train ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
Prices are between 700,000 and 1,500,000 VND, varying according to class. The duration is 30-35 hours and can be reserved at Saigon Train Station or via the internet.
3. Should I say Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City?
Both are acceptable! There is the official designation, used when you need to put it on the map or buy a bus ticket. Locals usually say “Saigon” when they mean the city centre.
4. What is Ben Tre known for?
Ben Tre is Vietnam’s very own “Coconut Kingdom" – renowned for being home to coconut candies, canals, fruit gardens, and peaceful boat excursions. Get to Ben Tre straight from the bustle of Ho Chi Minh in no time and experience the epitome of river life, food, and culture. Interested in more? Read our comprehensive guide on how to get to Mekong from Ho Chi Minh.
Conclusion
Whether you are seeking savings, comfort, or culture, the journey from Ho Chi Minh to Ben Tre is ideal for you. Just don’t forget to book in advance especially bus tickets or tours if you happen to travel during peak seasons. Ready for more? Take your adventure further with our comprehensive guide on how to get to Mekong from Ho Chi Minh and experience the best of Ben Tre and more!
Ranana
You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Ebrahim
Tour of Vietnam
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
Solly Pochee
The tour was fantastic
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating! We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC. The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T". I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all. Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team. Sulaiman Pochee
Bernard Lim
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
Derek.Schooling
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This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress. Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
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We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
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