Ben Tre is a desirable destination for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its pleasant year-round climate, abundance of attractions, and mouth-watering local produce.
when to go
Ben Tre is a province in the Mekong Delta, 85 kilometers southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), bordering the provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh and the sea.
With a warm and sunny climate all year round, visitors can visit Ben Tre in any season. The most ideal time to visit the state is during the summer months of June, July and August. This is the time of year when you can admire the colorful natural scenery while enjoying exotic fruits such as mangosteen, durian, and rambutan, freshly picked from the trees.
what to explore
Concuy – Turtle Island
Kong Kui is a district of Kyauktan known for its delicious fruit and fish. Concuy is the smallest of four islets named after the four sacred animals of the Mekong Delta: Long or Dragon, Lai or Unicorn, Cui or Turtle, and Hun or Phoenix. Don ca tai tuSouthern Vietnamese folk music, which embodies the identity of the southern river region, is another attraction for visitors to Kong Quy.
Con Hung – Phoenix Island
Con Phung is located on a floating island in the middle of Tien River in Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh District. Visitors can take a motorboat ride along the dunes to visit coconut candy processing facilities and coconut souvenir shops, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride to visit an orchard and enjoy tropical he fruit. Many tourists are drawn to fun experiences such as crocodile fishing and feeding carp using baby bottles.
Orchard
There are several orchards to visit. Kai Mon Orchard in Cho Lak District and Thien Long in Tan Phu Orchard in Chau Thanh District. Surrounded by lush gardens, you can taste the fresh fruits you picked yourself on the spot. Your ticket includes 1 entry to the garden where you can freely enjoy the fruits on site. If you plan to bring fruits home as a gift, you should buy them.
coconut garden
More than 200,000 families grow coconuts in Ben Tre, accounting for about two-thirds of all households in the state. Cycle through the coconut gardens and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. While cycling, visitors can stop to chat with locals to get a better understanding of rural life.
Van Ho Bird Sanctuary
Visitors can see more than 100 species of birds at the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary. Several birds that live here are endangered. The entrance ticket to the sanctuary is VND150,000 ($6.40).
Tomb of Nguyen Dinh Chiu
The Tomb of Nguyen Dinh Chieu, located in An Duc Commune, Ba Tri District, is the tomb of the great Vietnamese poet and patriot, known for his nationalist and anti-colonial writings against the French colonization of southern Vietnam. am. Every year on July 1st, the residents of Ben Tre hold a festival in his honor.
If you are already here, you can go further 9 kilometers to Gao Beach and Thiem Thom Harbor to see the Ba Lai and Ham Luong Gates (the third and fourth gates of the Mekong River leading to the East Sea). These two gates are only a few kilometers apart.
bindai beach
Binh Dai Beach is located on the banks of the Cua Dai River. The beach has not been affected by commercial tourism, so it is less crowded than Vung Tau or Nha Trang. Besides swimming and enjoying seafood, visitors can also go fishing and visit attractions such as the Long Phung Communal House and Van Phuoc Pagoda.
Dongkoy Guerrilla Village
Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village is located in Dinh Tuy commune in Mo Kai district. The exhibition hall, which is open to visitors, displays the basic weapons a Ben Tre resident once used to fend off US invaders in his 1960s.
my long rice paper village
Visitors can watch locals making rice paper at My Long Rice Paper Village. The rice paper is dried before being charcoal-grilled, so it’s always piping hot, crispy and full of coconut milk flavor.
Song Duc Van Phong Village
Over 100 years old, Son Doc Banh Phong Village is located in Hung Nhuong Commune.Visitors can learn about the production process Ban Phong, Or rice paper crackers. A well-made cracker should be spongy and crispy, and he should double in size after baking. The craft village sells a wide variety of products. beinfon For customers to buy as gifts, such as egg crackers, jackfruit crackers, durian crackers.
weaving village
The textile village in Phuoc Tuy commune in Ba Tri district is about 40 kilometers east of the capital of Ben Tre. This craft village has been around for a long time, where locals make daily necessities out of bamboo. Visitors can experience the culture and learn how the locals make these products.
the river is thrilling
Visitors to Ben Tre are also encouraged to take a river tour on a dingy wooden boat that offers the chance to pass through the myriad nipa trees that have sprouted along the canal.
You can also test your balance skills by walking cow key (Monkey Bridge) is basically two bamboo poles tied together and is a symbol of the rural Mekong Delta.
accommodation
In recent years, the number of homestays in Ben Tre has increased. You can enjoy local specialties and learn about their way of life while dining, staying and visiting with your hosts. You can choose to stay at places such as Cocohut Homestay, Quoc Phuong Riverside Homestay, Nguyet Que Homestay & Tours, or Ba Danh Home. Rates range from VND400,000 to VND800,000 per night.
In addition, there are many motels and hotels in the city, such as Kong Doan Hotel, Ham Luong Hotel, Cu Long Hotel, Tu Tu Guesthouse, and Que Huong Guesthouse. At night, you can step out onto the rooftops of these hotels to view the riverside streets while sipping your late-night coffee.
what to eat
Coconut specialty
The variety of Ben Tre dishes made with coconut will amaze visitors. Besides coconut water, you can make many different kinds of dishes from coconut such as rice cooked in coconut, coconut rice porridge, coconut fried shrimp, coconut buds, coconut candy, and coconut cake.
grilled bananas
Bananas are flattened and grilled over charcoal and served with coconut milk. The hot and crunchy texture of the banana and the rich flavor of the coconut milk will fill your mouth.
Banh canh bot xat – thick noodle soup
When banh canh bot xatUnlike the ready-made noodles sold in the market, the noodles are handmade using rice flour. Duck meat is used in the rich soup. A small cup of fish sauce and ginger is served with the dish. This is a specialty of the Mekong Delta.
Choi Buoy – sweet pomelo soup
Choi Buoy It is made from pomelo skins with the green skin removed. Pomelo skins are soaked in salt water and then boiled.Add durian Choi Buoy So it always has a unique taste.
rat meat
This may not be to everyone’s taste, but rats living in coconut trees are a favorite dish of locals. Meat can be grilled, steamed, or curried.
Banh xeo oc gao – Crispy snail crepe
In the Mekong Delta, Lak Market’s Pouda Dunes are the best Banseok GaoThe snail season is from April to July of the lunar calendar. Diners will be impressed by the crepe shell made from wheat flour mixed with fragrant coconut milk. Okugao – Assiminea lutea Snails, sprouts, chopped cassava roots.
crayfish
Crawfish are another rustic specialty that diners love. Whether grilled, boiled in coconut water, or fried with salt and lime leaves, crayfish meat still retains its sweetness and firmness.
fruits
You can enjoy many kinds of fresh fruits such as durian, rambutan, longan, mangosteen and especially macapuno at very cheap prices.
termite mushroom
Termite mushrooms usually emerge from April to July and grow in extruded termite mounds. This Ben Tre specialty has a unique aroma and sweetness.
Shop for fresh local produce such as mangosteen, kai mon durian and pomelo. If you are concerned about the freshness of your gift, you can choose coconut specialties such as rice paper, rice crackers, jams, candies, wine, and other lovely coconut crafts.
how to get there
Travelers can start their trip at Mien Tai Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City. There are multiple bus routes that make the two-hour journey. Ticket prices range from VND85,000 to VND140,000 ($3.63 to $5.97).
You can also travel by motorbike or car, so you can stop and admire the scenery along the way. It is recommended to leave early in the morning or after 9am due to rush hour from 6am to 8am Travelers should follow Highway 1A to My Tho City, cross the Rach Mieu bridge and turn right into the center Arrive at Ben Tre’s.
For a more convenient sightseeing experience, you can choose a tour arranged by a travel agency in Ho Chi Minh City.
Stories by Du Hy, Phuc Trinh
