Top Things to Do in Ben Tre with Mekong Tours

Where Is Ben Tre, Vietnam & How to Get There

Ben Tre, Vietnam, is a tranquil gem in the Mekong Delta, in southern Vietnam, roughly 85 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. It lies quietly between branches of the Tien River, encompassed by a sequence of canals, palms, and fruit orchards of all types. Occasionally called the “coconut capital of Vietnam," this serene little town offers visitors an authentic glimpse of uncomplicated local existence far removed from urban life.

How Far Is Ben Tre From Major Cities?

• From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): ~2 hours (85–90 km)
• From Can Tho: ~3 hours (120–130 km)
• From Vinh Long: ~1.5 hours (~70 km)

Best Ways to Get to Ben Tre, Vietnam

From Ho Chi Minh City:

• By Bus: There are daily buses from Mien Tay Bus Station (Fares ~100,000–150,000 VND). Duration: ~2–2.5 hours.
• By Private Car or Taxi: Best for families or small groups. Travel time: ~2 hours.
• By Motorbike: A scenic route for motorbike enthusiasts who like cruising over rice paddies and provincial towns.
• By River Cruise: Several tour operators offer day cruises from Saigon to visit Ben Tre, cruising along the Delta’s serene waterways.

From Can Tho or Vinh Long:

• You can also boat tour from Can Tho or Vinh Long, cruising through narrow Mekong canals to reach Ben Tre—a breathtaking entry into the region.
• Add it to a float market visit for an early morning experience of Delta life.

Complete Guide to What to Do in Ben Tre, Vietnam

Explore the Waterways – The Signature Ben Tre Experience

Ben Tre, Vietnam’s center, is its rivers. The most magical way to locate it is to drift on tranquil canals lined with coconut palms, watching life on the water.

Must-try experiences:

• Sampan boat trips along covered canals
• Ham Luong River boat cruises
• Visit nearby floating markets (best if combined with My Tho or Can Tho)

Where to go:

• Ham Luong Tourist Pier – Ben Tre City
  •  Address: Nguyen Van Tu Street, Ward 7, Ben Tre City
  • Ticket price: About 50,000 – 120,000 VND per person (group boat), or from 300,000 VND per person for a private boat tour
• My Tho Boat Station – Near My Tho Market
  • One of the best departure stations for combo tours (My Tho – Thoi Son Islet – Ben Tre)
  • Price: About 250,000 – 400,000 VND per person (includes fruit, tea, music, boat)

When to go

• Dry season (Dec–Apr): Traveling is easy with sunny skies
• Rainy season (May–Oct): More greenery around, vibrant river life

Ham Luong River Boat ruises (Source: alltours)

Visit the Famous Ecological Islets

Ben Tre has several river islets. Of them, Con Phung, Con Quy, and Con Chim are most famous for their interesting activities, scenery, and people’s culture.

Con Phung (Phoenix Islet)

• Location: Hamlet 10, Tan Thach Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province
• Highlights: Visit the Coconut Religion ancient site, tour coconut candy factories, enjoy a local lunch by the river
• Admission fee: ~30,000 VND/person
• Full-package tour (boat, horse cart, lunch): ~280,000 – 350,000 VND/person

Con Quy (Tortoise Islet)

• Location: Tan Thach Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre
• Characteristics: Listen to traditional music (Don Ca Tai Tu), enjoy honey tea, take part in cooking classes, take bicycle rides in coconut forests
• Usually included in combo tours from My Tho: 250,000 – 300,000 VND/person

Con Chim (Bird Islet)

• Location: Hoa Minh Commune, Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province (around 45 km from Ben Tre City)
• Highlights: Bird watching, countryside cycling, farm-to-table farming, river dining experiences
• Admission fee: Free
• Optional services: Bicycle rental (30,000 – 50,000 VND), lunch at farmers’ houses (100,000 – 150,000 VND)

Bike to Con Chim (Source: dulichseatravel)

Wander Through Fruit Orchards – Taste Ben Tre’s Sweetest Treasures

Still not sure what to do in Ben Tre, Vietnam? If you are a nature lover and appreciate new flavors, the answer is in the orchards! This region is a tropical paradise where you can try fruits directly from the branches.

 Cai Mon Orchard Village

• Address: Vinh Thanh Commune, Cho Lach District, Ben Tre Province
• Fruits: Durian, mangosteen, rambutan, pomelo, jackfruit, star apple
• Entry + fruit tasting: 30,000 – 60,000 VND per person
• Best season to visit: May to August (fruit season = rainy season)

Ba Ngoi Orchard (and eco-restaurant)

• Address: Phu Hoi Hamlet, Vinh Binh Commune, Cho Lach District, Ben Tre
• Amenities: Orchard tour, local cooking, riverside restaurants
• Combo rate (visit + lunch): Around 200,000 VND per person

Tan Phu Orchards – Homestay Experience

• Address: Tan Phu Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre
• Top highlights: Overnight stays, fruit picking, garden-to-table dining
• Entry fee: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per person
• Optional lunch package: 150,000 VND per person

Tan Phu Orchards (Source: tourbonphuong)

Experience Ben Tre’s Craft Villages

Hung Phong – Coconut Weaving Village

• Location: Hung Phong Commune, Giong Trom District, Ben Tre, Vietnam

At this place, coconut is not only a fruit—it’s a way of life. From the leaves to the shells, the villagers transform everything into hats, bags, baskets, and even sandals. It’s wonderful to see hands moving fast and inventively, turning nature into art.

My An – The Village of Broom Makers

• Location: My An Hamlet, Binh Dai District

Villagers here hand-weave lovely, long-lasting brooms from flowering grasses gathered from the rice fields. You can see them do it from start to finish—and maybe even learn how to make your broom with one of the villagers.

Nhon Thanh – Mat Weaving Tradition

• Location: Nhon Thanh Commune, Chau Thanh District

This is one of the Mekong Delta’s oldest craft villages, where red and green sedge mats are woven on wooden looms by hand. Listen to the steady clack of looms as grandmothers and young women gossip at work, living, pure heritage.

Phuoc Long – Wooden Toys and Sculptures

• Location: Phuoc Long Commune, Giong Trom District

Anything from kitchen implements to carved creatures and children’s toys is crafted here from wood cut locally. Their use of natural oils and prehistoric-age carving knives makes this one of the must-see destinations for those who love handmade.

The Village of Broom Makers – My An (Source: la34)

Reconnect with Nature at Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary

Address: My Hoa Commune, Ba Tri District, Ben Tre, Vietnam (about 50 km southeast of Ben Tre City)

What Can You See?

Over 80 bird species call Vam Ho home, including storks, herons, egrets, kingfishers, and even the rare oriental darter. Flying foxes, butterflies, and wetland plants, which are crucial to the biodiversity of the region, also inhabit the sanctuary.

What Else to Do?

• Forest Walk: Stilted bamboo bridges take you across dark mangroves.
• Hammock Chill: Some rest stations provide hammocks to recline in and listen to the birds.
• Rice Paper & Pancake Tasting: Some of the community stations have local specialties like crispy rice pancakes and sweet banana snacks.

Tickets & Tours:

• Entrance fee: ~30,000 – 50,000 VND per adult
• Boat journey within the sanctuary: 100,000 – 150,000 VND per group (optional but well worth it!)

Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary (Source: bestprice)

2-Day Ben Tre Vietnam Itinerary: Cruise, Craft, Orchard & Homestay Combo

Day 1: Cruise Through Coconut Canals & Live the Local Life

7:30 AM – Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
Begin your trip with a morning departure from Ho Chi Minh City in a private car or tour bus. The ride to Ben Tre, Vietnam, takes about two hours, and you will get to watch the landscape change: from busy city roads to tranquil rice paddies, and finally the palm-fringed banks of the Mekong.

9:30 AM – Arrive & Board Your Boat Tour
Upon arrival, take a wooden boat ride on the Ham Luong River. Take a peaceful boat tour that passes riverside villages, coconut farms, and floating fishing boats on the river. You’ll visit small factories where you can see locals producing rice wine, dried fruits, and even manual brick-making.

11:00 AM – Visit a Coconut Candy Workshop
Next, dock at one of the charming coconut candy factories. You’ll learn how coconuts are peeled, shredded, boiled, and molded into those soft, chewy sweets that make Ben Tre, Vietnam, famous. Don’t forget to try a warm, freshly made piece.

12:00 PM – Enjoy a Local Lunch on Con Phung (Phoenix Islet)
Cross over to Con Phung, one of the ecological islets of the Mekong Delta, where you’ll be treated to a hearty southern-style lunch. Dine in a garden restaurant shaded by bamboo and coconuts, and enjoy dishes like elephant ear fish, shrimp rolls, and tangy sour soup with fresh herbs.

2:00 PM – Sampan Ride Through Small Canals
Lunch at a local eatery in the afternoon. Then board a tiny sampan manned by a local guide, cruising at a slow pace along narrow canals lined with lush nipa palms. The most serene way of connecting with the river and its people—pure local life at its best.

3:30 PM – Cycle Through Cai Mon Fruit Orchards
Return to the beach and rent a bicycle to ride through the scenic fruit orchards of Cai Mon, where you’ll ride alongside jackfruit trees, dragon fruit fields, and tropical orchids with colors everywhere. Depending on the time of year, you can pluck and taste rambutan, pomelo, mangosteen, or longan from the tree.

5:00 PM – Check In at Local Homestay
Head to your chosen homestay at Tan Phu or Ba Ngoi, renowned for their warm-hearted locals and tranquil riverside settings. You will be welcomed into a host family and taken to a cozy room with coconut tree or lotus pond views.

6:30 PM – Dinner & Cultural Experience
Enjoy a home-cooked meal of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, perhaps braised pork in coconut juice, river fish, and greens pulled out of the garden of your hosts. Then sit over tea with your hosts and discuss what life is like in the delta. Perhaps they will even instruct you in the art of making rice paper or weaving a palm hat.

Coconut Candy Workshop (Source: chihieuvo)

Day 2: Craft Villages & River Memories

7:00 AM – Wake Up to a Delta Sunrise
Wake up to birdsong and the scent of fresh air. Start your day with a banh mi breakfast, tropical fruits, and hot tea before saying goodbye to your friendly host family.

8:00 AM – Visit a Craft Village
Visit Nhon Thanh or Hung Phong, two of the best-preserved craft villages in Ben Tre. Watch villagers weave colorful sedge mats on ancient looms in Nhon Thanh village. In Hung Phong village, you can see how coconut leaves are used to make baskets, hats, and trinkets. You can even join in and make a simple craft to bring home with you.

10:00 AM – Visit a Local Market or Rice Paper Workshop
Depending on your interest and time available, you may spend some time at a morning market or a small rice paper workshop. Watch how this staple food is steamed, sun-dried, and rolled—a key element of Vietnamese cuisine.

11:30 AM – Lunch at a Countryside Restaurant
Enjoy one final Southern-style meal at a restaurant just beyond Ben Tre City, where meals are eaten from clay pots with fresh herbs and seasonal fruits.

1:00 PM – Begin Your Journey Back to Ho Chi Minh City
Say farewell to Ben Tre, Vietnam, and begin the drive back. You’ll return by mid-afternoon, refreshed, reconnected, and with a heart full of memories.

Visit Rice Paper Workshop (Source: congly)

Travel Tips for Visiting Ben Tre, Vietnam

What to Pack for a River-Based Adventure

Ben Tre is movement—boat tours, bike rides through orchards of fruit, muddy path walks, and tea beneath nipa palm thatched roofs. So pack wisely but lightly!

• Clothing: Light, ventilated clothing (cotton, linen), long sleeves for sun and mosquito protection.
• Footwear: Waterproof sandals or wet-shoes for walking (except boat docks and garden paths).
• Essentials: Mosquito spray, sunscreen, refillable water bottle, hat, and sunglasses.
• Rainy season tip (May–Oct): Bring a lightweight poncho or carry an umbrella. The rain is unexpected, but short.

Dress Code for Temples and Cultural Sites

Numerous tourists searching for what to visit in Ben Tre will include pagodas such as Vinh Trang Temple or smaller ancestral shrines throughout Ben Tre province. Always dress respectfully:

• Cover shoulders and knees—this applies to both men and women.
• Remove shoes and hats when inside temple buildings.
• Speak softly and do not point at statues or altars.

Responsible Travel in Ben Tre

Is Ben Tre worth visiting? Absolutely—especially when you’re an aware traveler. Here’s how to travel light and make a positive impact:

• Support local: Stay in family-run homestays, hire local guides, and buy handicrafts from artisans in craft villages directly.
• Skip plastic: Bring a refillable water bottle (refills are often provided at many guesthouses), and skip plastic straws.
• Be respectful to wildlife: When you are in Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary or natural environments, be quiet, avoid feeding animals, and hike on marked trails only.
• Learn & listen: Be curious. People here love sharing stories about coconuts, rivers, and rhythms of daily life—it’s how you’ll learn what to do in Ben Tre, Vietnam, from the inside out.

Conclusion

Even still thinking about what to do in Ben Tre, Vietnam, or wondering to yourself, is Ben Tre worth visiting? This tranquil gem of the Mekong Delta offers it all, from coconut-lined canals and hands-on craft villages to memorable dinners and an authentic local lifestyle. Whether in town for a short escape or a more immersive cultural experience, Ben Tre Vietnam offers loveliness, hospitality, and meaning. Then pack your bags, chart your course, and come see what to see in Ben Tre—a place where the heart of Vietnam beats slow and true.

FAQ 

What is Ben Tre famous for?

Ben Tre, Vietnam, is famous for its green coconut plantations, traditional crafts villages, peaceful canals, and warm-hearted inhabitants. It’s where Vietnam’s favorite coconut candy originated, and a portal to cultural experiences like boat tours, mat weaving, and visits to orchards. For anyone pondering over what to do in Ben Tre, Vietnam, its combination of nature, culture, and tradition offers a richly rewarding slice of the Mekong Delta.

Is Ben Tre worth it?

Yes—Ben Tre is worth it, especially for travelers who crave authenticity, slow travel, and an abundance of local life. Unlike touristier destinations, Ben Tre invites you to socialize with real people, cruise down picturesque sampan under coconut leaves, and relish home meals. For a more laid-back alternative to big cities, discovering how to get around Ben Tre, Vietnam, will be both poignant and unforgettable.

Can Tho vs Ben Tre?

Can Tho is livelier, with its active floating market and river evening life, and Ben Tre is calmer and more interactive, ideal for nature and culture lovers. If you can’t choose, visit both! Feel the energy of Can Tho, followed by a homestay and boat excursion in Ben Tre, Vietnam. It’s not an either/or situation; it’s what kind of experience you desire.

How many days in Ben Tre?

You can enjoy a super good overview of activities in Ben Tre, Vietnam, in 1 entire day—perfect for a river cruise, a local lunch, and a candy workshop. But to discover more, 2 days and 1 night is best. That way, you can experience a homestay, drive through fruit orchards, visit craft villages, go to nearby islets, or even the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary.