What to See and Eat in Ben Tre on Mekong Tours

Best Things to Do in Ben Tre Vietnam 

Boat Trip Through the Coconut Canals

One of the signature things to do in Ben Tre Vietnam, is embarking on a boat tour to visit the picturesque canal network lined with coconut palms. You have your choice of a paddle boat for quiet appeal or a motorized boat for getting around. Departure points:

• Departure points:
  • Ham Luong Wharf (Ward 5, Ben Tre City)
  • An Binh Hamlet, Chau Thanh District
• Ticket price:
  • Shared group: 100,000-150,000 VND/person
  • Private boat: 250,000-400,000 VND
• What’s included:
  • Stop at a coconut candy workshop, watching these hard-worked candies being made is a process similar to that of caramel.
  • Make a stop at a mat-weaving house for a hands-on demonstration
  • Sip honey tea with lime and fresh fruit
• Best time: Morning or sunset (cooler temperatures and best photographs).

This slow, tranquil ride provides a genuine insight into rural life along the water, one of the top answers to what to do in Ben Tre Vietnam for travellers.

Bicycle Tour Through Rice Fields and Villages

The best way to discover Ben Tre Province Vietnam, is by bike, with a leisurely and encompassing experience. It’s flat, and you’ll remember the scenery along the way, rice fields, rivers, and coconut forests for life.

• Recommended routes:
  • Ben Tre City → Nhon Thanh → Phu Tuc → Giong Trom (15-20km loop)
  • Comprises craft villages, fruit gardens, and temples
• Bike rental:
  • Can be found at most homestays or hotels for 30,000-50,000 VND/day
  • Some homestays offer free use
• What to see:
  • Coconut groves, temples such as Phu Le Temple
  • Locals sun drying rice paper or producing incense
  • Fresh rambutan, longan, or durian sold by the roadside stands

Tip: Go before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. Opportunities to stop at a neighborhood Ben Tre restaurant for local dishes such as banh xeo and ca kho to should not be overlooked.

Visit My Long Rice Paper Village

This somewhat obscure Ben Tre Vietnam attraction allows visitors to see rice paper being made by hand, the old-fashioned way, with coconut milk for fragrance and flavor.

• Location: My Long Commune, Giong Trom District
• Entry fee: Free (though purchasing products is encouraged)
• What you’ll do:
  • See the locals steaming and drying enormous sheets of rice paper
  • Try making your own with some direction
  • Read all about those banh trang nuong and cuon textures here!

Tip: Come between 8-10 AM for optimal lighting and an opportunity to observe the full drying racks stretched out beneath the sun.

Discover Phu Le Wine Village

It’s located 25km out of town, and a great place to taste some shochu and learn about rural traditions.

• Location: Phu Le Commune, Ba Tri District
• Entry fee: Free
• What you’ll do:
  • Visit the rice wine distillery in a traditional ethnic minority clay pot.
  • Walk to the over 100-year-old temple Phu Le nearby
  • Have a brute of a shot of the local firewater, Mekong whiskey (if you dare!)

Tip: This stop meshes beautifully with your biking route, if you’re exploring the area by bike, that is.

Coconut Handicraft Village – Hung Phong

Ben Tre Vietnam, is not only the birthplace of coconut water, but the birthplace of coconut everything! In the village of Hung Phong, the villagers transform coconut shells, fibers, and wood into gorgeous and practical items.

• Location: Hung Phong Commune, Giong Trom District
• Entry fee: Free
• Highlights:
  • See woodworkers carving bowls, bags, spoons, and brushes
  • Buy eco-friendly souvenirs
  • Talk to skilled senior artisans in a relaxed atmosphere

Tip: Great place for candid shots, particularly of the creative process. If you want to support local makers, bring cash.

Visit Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary

If you’re a nature lover, Ben Tre Vietnam has a surprising find: a huge mangrove bird sanctuary filled with life.

• Location: Tan Xuan Hamlet, My Hoa Commune, Ba Tri District (~45km from Ben Tre City)
• Entry fee:
  • Sanctuary: 20,000 VND/person
  • Optional boat tour through the cave: 30,000-50,000 VND
• Best time: April to October, especially around sunrise or late afternoon
• What to expect:
  • Over 80 bird species like herons, storks, and egrets
  • Elevated viewing platforms
  • Canoe trips through mangroves and monkey bridges

Tip: Spending the night? Dress in long sleeves and pack mosquito repellent. Perfect addition to eco tours or small groups.

Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village

History and resistance movements come alive for visitors in this living museum.

• Location: Dinh Thuy Commune, Mo Cay District
• Entry: Free (donations welcome)
• What you’ll see:
  • Caves and tunnels, and guerrilla shelters
  • Historical plaques on the 1960 Dong Khoi uprising
  • Personal stories of veterans (if and when available)

Tip: It is best to visit with a guide to appreciate the cultural significance of each exhibit. This is bottom-up history.

Ben Tre Revolutionary Museum

Ready to explore more of Ben Tre Vietnam Rebel History? This museum provides a detailed overview of the province’s wartime heritage.

• Location: 108 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 5, Ben Tre City
• Opening hours: 7:30-11:30 AM & 1:00-5:00 PM, Mon-Sat
• Entry: Free
• Highlights:
  • Remnants of the American and French wars
  • An unusual chapter on the coconut religion

Tip: Pair this with lunch at a nearby Ben Tre restaurant, like Pho Anh Hong & Lanh Chai 2.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu Mausoleum

A tranquil spot dedicated to one of Vietnam’s most revered literary figures and patriots.

• Location: An Duc Commune, Ba Tri District
• Entry: Free
• Special time to visit: July 1, local celebration with poetry reading and traditional performances
• Significance: Significance: Nguyen Dinh Chieu was a blind poet-in-doctor who spurred resistance through literature. He was announced as a UNESCO Cultural Celebrity in 2021.

Tip: Even if you don’t have much exposure to Vietnamese poetry, the admiration you experience in this slice of space is tangible.

Watch a Don Ca Tai Tu Performance

This enchanting form of music is the heart of southern Vietnam and a thing to experience in Ben Tre Province Vietnam.

• Where to watch:
  • Con Phung Island (as part of a boat tour)
  • At some of the homestays, or on the banks of the river, during dinner
  • Culture centres in Giong Trom or Chau Thanh
• Ticket: Included with tour or meal
• Instruments: Moon lute, zither, fiddle, monochord
• Theme: Love, land, tears, pride songs

Tip: Want to savor this performance with some local food? Book us for a country lunch and entertainment. Some Ben Tre restaurant branches serve this as a set menu!

What to Eat in Ben Tre Vietnam – Local Specialties to Savor

Coconut-Based Dishes You Can’t Miss

Coconut is the symbol of Ben Tre Province, Vietnam, and the residents know how to make the most of this fruit.

Coconut Rice (Com Dua)

• What it is: Fragrant rice cooked in a coconut, typically served with roasted shrimp or salted peanuts.
• Where to try:
  • Mekong Home (Ap 9, Phuoc Long, Giong Trom District)
  • Ut Trinh Homestay (Nhon Thanh Commune)
• Price: 90,000-120,000 VND
• Tip: Arrives at your table best when consumed fresh and with a view of the river!

Coconut Candy (Keo Dua)

• What it is: A pastry or candy made of coconut milk and malt, it’s a chewy and classic treat.
• Where to see & taste:
  • Thanh Long Coconut Workshop (Chau Thanh District – covered in all boat tours)
• Price: Free samples; 30,000-50,000 VND/box to buy

Coconut Pancake (Banh Xeo Dua)

• What it is: A crackly Mekong-style savory crepe with coconut milk, stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.
• Where to try:
  • Banh Xeo 7 Toi – 285C Dai Lo Dong Khoi, Ben Tre City
• Price: 30,000-40,000 VND/piece

Signature Mekong Dishes

If you are looking for the very essence of Ben Tre Vietnam, then you may find local fish and hotpot not to be missed. These are dishes that display the wealth of the Mekong Delta.

Elephant Ear Fish (Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu)

• What it is: Whole river fish fried to a turn, with rice paper, herbs, and dipping sauce. Where to try:
• Where to try:
  • Lang Be Tourist Area – Quoc Lo 60, An Khanh, Chau Thanh
  • Homestays along the Ham Luong River
• Price: 300,000-400,000 VND/fish (serves 2-3 people)

Snakehead Fish Hotpot (Lau Ca Loc)

• What it is: A sour, spicy, fish-filled hotpot with river-sourced snakehead and tamarind broth, brimming with Mekong herbs
• Where to try:
  • Quan Am Thuc 45 – 45A Nguyen Thi Dinh, Ben Tre City
• Price: 200,000-250,000 VND/pot

Banh Xeo (Traditional Style)

• What it is: A somewhat bigger and fatter cousin to the coconut banh chung, this one is filled with even more pork and shrimp.
• Where to try:
  • Banh Xeo Mien Tay Que Toi – 33A Nguyen Thi Dinh, Phuong Phu Khuong
• Price: 35,000-45,000 VND/piece

When to Visit Ben Tre Vietnam – Seasonal Highlights for Every Traveler

December to April – Dry Season Bliss

Let the Golden Months arrive here in Ben Tre Vietnam! From December to April, the skies are blue, the air is dry, and every path through the countryside is wide open for exploring.

• Why go now:
  • Ideal for cycling in the coconut villages
  • Fresh morning boat rides along quiet canals
  • Awesome time for nature photographers and small groups.
• Temperature: 28°C to 33°C with low humidity
• Activities to enjoy:
  • Riding Nhon Thanh – Phu Tuc loop
  • Boat tour with coconut candy workshops
  • Exploring the traditional craft villages on dry days

Tip: Wear light cotton clothing and take a hat with you. It’s also a great time to check out any of the neighboring Ben Tre restaurant spots and take in a refreshing, breezy bowl of phở on a full stomach after a nice bike ride.

May to August – Fruit Season & River Life in Full Bloom

It is the season when Ben Tre Vietnam, is basked in colors, scents, and flavors! The orchards groan with fruit, and each meal couriers freshness.

• Why go now:
  • Peak Season for rambutan, mangosteen, longan, durian, jackfruit
  • Tropical produce is spilling out of local markets
  • The ideal period to take the pure tender coconut juice fresh from the garden.
• Floating markets: Smaller than Can Tho’s but well worth the early-morning boat scene in Chau Thanh or nearby Cai Be (only 50km away).
• Must-do:
  • Participate in picking fruit at the Cai Mon orchard
  • Have hotpot (in fall) and seasonal vegetables for a local’s lunch.
  • Take a trip to a traditional brickyard as the river breeze chills out the day.

Tip: Time your visit with a meal at Lanh Chai 2, a Ben Tre restaurant celebrated for its claypot fish and sautéed coconut shoots.

September to November – The Floating Season Enchantment

Ah, the floating season, this is when Ben Tre Vietnam, really flaunts that soulful symbiosis with the river. When it rains upriver, floodwaters surge, and as floodplains expand, one of the most poetic transformations of the Mekong Delta takes hold.

• Why go now:
  • Paddle through rice fields under water
  • See locals picking water lilies and lotus stems
  • See high-water life in action every day
• Cultural value: The floating season affects the agriculture and traditions of the region. Villagers cook, fish, and commute by boat. It’s also an extraordinary opportunity to visit the Dong Khoi guerrilla village, where underground tunnels are still partially filled with water.
• Best experiences:
  • Narrow canal rowboat cruise
  • Go birdwatching at the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary as flocks return from migration.
  • Feasts at home with fish just hauled from a flooded field

Tip: Pack a pair of waterproof sandals, a poncho, and a ready-to-try-anything attitude. It’s as true a Dong Van Meo Vac style experience as is available to those of us who want to get as deep and as connected to the land and its people as possible. 

Conclusion

Ben Tre Vietnam, is more than a destination; it’s a sentimental journey through canals, coconuts, and culture. With slow boat rides and hearty home-cooked meals, it’s an experience that screams to take life as it comes in its simple glory. Whether you’re discovering what to do in Ben Tre Vietnam, eating at a friendly local spot, or trying to get in on some intimate Mekong Tours, this riverside retreat has you covered. So go ahead and pack those bags, and follow the mild current. Ben Tre Vietnam, awaits you. See you again on the quiet shores of the Mekong!