The Mekong Delta, also known as the “Rice Bowl” of Vietnam, is a unique region from the cultural, historical, and natural perspectives. Coconut candies are among the best ways to showcase the area for Mekong tours. The sweets are not only well-known as the iconic products of the land, but also the outstanding combination of the traditions and the flavors of the region. Review the article to explore the topic, from the historical background and cultural significance of the Mekong delta candy factory to visit and the reasons for including coconut candies for Mekong tours in your itinerary.
Baby Coconut Candy
Coconut candies for Mekong tours have been produced in the Mekong Delta for over a century, as the tradition started in the 1930s in Mo Cay District, Ben Tre Province. Then people called it Mo Cay candy, and those were homemade exciting sweets made during the festive season and Tet holidays. By the 1970s the production scaled up, and coconut candies became favorite gifts for those following Mekong tours.
These candies are a part of local traditions and holidays. For example, during the celebration of Tet, which is the Vietnamese New Year exchanging wonderful coconut candies for Mekong tours means flourishing and happiness. Some festivals are devoted to celebrating the cultural heritage of the region. One of them is the Coconut Festival, which is organized in Ben Tre and perfectly illustrates the huge role of these candies in the local customs and life in general.
Coconut candy production is not just an industry in the Mekong Delta, it is an integral part of life there. Thousands of local people are working in the coconut candy business. The craft has been preserved for a long time and its cultural, social and economic significance is increasing every year. Production is passed from father to son, which helps maintain the cultural identity of the community.
When you experience Mekong tours, you will find that the traditional method of making coconut candies is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Since the candies are made from coconut milk, sugar, and malt syrup, the method is dependent on the quality of basic ingredients. To produce the candies, producers remove shells from coconuts, grate the flesh, and press it to collect the milk. This milk is mixed with sugar and malt syrup in huge woks, which later will be put on low fire fired with coconut shells. The stirring, which requires no less than 5 hours, ends only when the candy has the right texture.
Ben Tre coconut candy
However, given the development of technologies in the twentieth century, some producers started to use machines to process the candies. Mixers and accurately shaped molds are significantly cheaper to use, so they produce much more candies. However, many candy producers believe that technologies spoil the taste of the product and continue production manually.
The products required for the production of coconut candies for Mekong tours include coconut milk, sugar, and malt syrup. As we have mentioned previously, manual stirring is motivated by an intention to keep the natural flavor of coconut milk. Malt syrup and sugar help to give the candies their sweetness and shape accordingly. Some producers add other tastes to give the candies different flavors – durian is used most frequently, and pandan and peanuts are also quite popular.
Coconut is the main ingredient
Coconut Candies Mekong Tours is a well-known provider of coconut candies, and the province of Ben Tre is considered one of the most significant coconut groves in Vietnam. Because small factories produce coconut candies, both coconut and international tourists are encouraged to take a tour of the factories. Coconut candies Mekong tours provide trips to the factories, where tourists see the candy-making process and promotions of traditional technologies, which are still used to make coconut candies such as coconut candies in the past. After the trip, visitors will be able to taste the coconut candies and purchase them directly from the manufacturer, providing the strongest flavors.
In Cai Be, the main destinations are floating markets and small, often visited coconut candy workshops. In a short period, tourists will likely have a chance to meet the candy maker and learn about the candy’s production. One of the most significant things in Cai Be is that there is still a canal that tourists can travel around, avoiding the charming views on both sides and viewing the delta locals as they go about their daily lives.
My Tho has large factories, while Vinh Long has small family workshops in the countryside. Coconut candies are generally the same in terms of quality, and the way the two cities make them is not identical. Travelers will be able to witness the creation and implementation of coconut candy in ways they concentrate on, while they will also get the opportunity to taste, touch the candies, and purchase them.
Guided tours, which are usually less expensive, offer an all-inclusive approach, including a short boating experience taking tourists on short trips. For those who prefer to travel on their own, there are many ways to make coconut candy on their own. In any event, these activities in the villages of East Asia provide tourists with a deeper understanding and recognition of coconut candies.
It is wrong to think that there is only one flavor of coconut candies for Mekong tours. There are several types of candies available, and each of them offers its own unique and distinct taste. For example, in addition to the standard “coconut” candies, you can also find durian, pandan leaf, peanut, and cacao flavors. While the first has more traditional tastes with a local “twist”, the last one will allow you to enjoy a delicious Southeast Asian interpretation of the well-known flavor.
No need to search for a specific place to buy coconut candies for Mekong tours – the best places to do so are, in fact, the candy villages and local markets. Ben Tre and Cai Be are known as the locations for the best coconut candies made right in the region. On the other hand, do not forget to side with proven brands like Thien Long or Ngoc Huong – or avoid fakes and buy only the candies with a manufacturer’s seal.
Finally, how to eat coconut candies for Mekong tours? You may eat them on their own, or in combination with tea or coffee – you will find the Vietnamese options are the best. Also, the candies are good to share, which stands for a typical Vietnamese practice of bringing some treats to share with friends.
creating jobs for locals
Coconut candies for Mekong tours are a critical destination product in the Mekong Delta’s local economy. The industry has been a source of income for thousands of families from coconut farmers to candy makers and market sellers. Moreover, producing such a delicacy allows the area to remain true to its traditional farming and crafting methods and stabilizes the region’s economy.
Tourism is an essential factor in the success of the coconut candies for Mekong tours industry. The revenue that thousands of tourists bring can go directly to the pockets of local families that are involved in candy making and market selling. The two areas are mutually beneficial for each other, as the combination of traditional crafts and the market response toward it helps maintain and even further develop the current cultural landscape and support the economic goal as well.
The industry is thriving today due to the high demand for coconut candies, yet it is accompanied by some challenges such as unstable coconut costs and fierce competition in other markets. Another issue is the globally growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly developments which has yet to be matched by the cooperation of the area’s market participants. To prosper, the industry has to maintain its quality level and adopt some modern approaches.
Coconut candies for Mekong tours are not just a sweet, but a cultural touch of the Mekong Delta. Describing their historical value and production, their meaning for economies and tourism, it turns out that these candies are the indication of the area. Thus, trying coconut candies for Mekong tours should be part of any Mekong Tours. This may be one of the most pleasant ways to get insight into the Mekong Delta, which means that next time I will take a chance to taste the candies, and, maybe, there will be an opportunity to buy some for home. The article aims to explain the cultural, production, and economic meaning of the given experience and offers a learn through guide to remind all the tourists, novices and experienced ones, to try coconut candies for Mekong tours on their Mekong Tours. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Fanpage for more interesting information about traveling Mekong to and to book Mekong Tours at the best prices.
The Mekong River, the ‘Mother of Waters’, is the heart and soul of mainland South-East Asia. Millions of people depend on its waters. It’s a way of life, a home for the spirits, the defining element in the everlasting battle for survival, and the foundation and boundaries of cultures and kingdoms across eons. The river speaks of the past and the future, of the eternally recurring cycles of nature, of the people living upstream and downstream, of survival, beauty and danger.
Foreigners can’t appreciate the role of the river in the lives of those who live in the Mekong basin. It influences every aspect of their daily existence, shaping not only the land, but also the people themselves.
The Mekong Basin extends over 795,000km2. More than 70 million people, 55 million of which inhabit the watershed area lying within Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water and transport. At 4,350km, the Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia and the 12th longest in the world.
The river runs from its source deep in China’s Tsinghai Province through the eastern part of Tibet. From Yunnan province, it becomes the border between Myanmar and Laos, and between Laos and Thailand. From there it surges across Cambodia to Phnom Penh, where the Bassac River branches off. The two rivers continue to divide into nine outlets, the Cuu Long (Nine Dragons) of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, and finally discharge into the East Sea. The river is navigable from the delta to Southern Laos, where massive waterfalls near the Cambodian border prevent boats from travelling further.
About nine-tenths of the people in the Lower Mekong Basin are engaged in agriculture, mostly rice production on a massive scale, for which irrigation from the Mekong River is essential. A substantial proportion is exported, thus providing the staple diet of a far greater number than just those living in the area.
The Mekong River is also very rich in fish, the single most important source of animal protein in the diet of people living in the Lower Mekong Basin.
What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Can Tho, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Cai Be
What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel breakfast, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Can Tho
| Hotels in Can Tho | ||
| Star | Hotel | Room Type |
| 3-Star hotel in Can Tho | Hau Giang Hotel | Superior |
| 4-Star hotel in Can Tho | Muong Thanh Hotel | Superior |
| 5-Star hotel in Can Tho | Victoria Hotel | Superior |
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
