Ben Tre

Ben Tre, nestled in the enchanting Mekong Delta, exudes an unparalleled beauty and serenity that captivates the hearts of all who visit. Renowned for its unpretentious charm, this idyllic province boasts warm-hearted locals who extend their hospitality with open arms. If you seek respite from bustling city life, Ben Tre stands as an oasis of tranquility, a haven where weary travelers can find solace. Known as the “Land of Vietnamese Coconuts”, Ben Tre boasts a tapestry of meandering rivers and lush gardens, adorned by tof captivating isles: Minh Isle, Bao Isle, and An Hoa Islet. It is a magnetic destination that allures enthusiasts of river and garden eco-tourism, as well as those with an appetite for cultural exploration, historical immersion, and craft village traditions. Visiting Ben Tre, don’t forget to participate in these not-to-be-missed activities!

Riding on boats through the canal

For many generations, Ben Tre rowing boats have been an image associated with the lives of coconut people and have become an indispensable means of transportation. Experiential activities revolving around Ben Tre rowing boats are most popular in Chau Thanh district and the center of Ben Tre Province. The emergence of waterway tourism originated from the desire to gracefully glide along the river, marveling at the picturesque landscapes, strolling amidst the sheltering canopy of trees and nipa palm groves, while relishing the invigorating embrace of the cool, revitalizing breeze. Picture yourself seated upon a canoe, effortlessly drifting upon the tranquil river, your eyes feasting upon the harmonious alignment of nipa palms, their clustered fronds forming a natural roof, allowing you to enjoy the serene ambiance and indulge in the refreshing atmosphere that envelops you.

In Ben Tre, Phung Islet is well-known and favored by many tourists and chosen to visit the river area. Recognized as an emblematic tourist destination within the Mekong Delta, Phung Islet has an airy atmosphere that harmoniously blends with the surrounding natural environment. Like a verdant sanctuary adrift on the gentle currents of the Tien River, Phung Islet offers a captivating retreat where tourists can delve into the authentic, pastoral existence. Exploring this enchanting locale unfurls a tapestry of idyllic garden-like living, immersing visitors in a rustic realm brimming with simplicity and harmony.

With the advantage of a rich and intricate canal system, islands full of fruits and flowers of Mekong Delta tourism, visitors to Ben Tre will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful natural landscapes and lush fruit gardens, crowded with boats.

Taste the juicy fruit inside the garden

Coming to Mekong Delta, visitors cannot miss the experience of enjoying fresh fruits at the garden. And the most famous fruit garden in Ben Tre is Cai Mon fruit garden. Located in Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province, Cai Mon is a village full of Southern vibes with roads covered with green trees laden with sweet fruits. This area has consistently served as a fertile ground for cultivating many kinds of delectable fruit, acting as an irresistible magnet for a bustling community of industrious honey bees. You will have unforgettable experiences when coming to Cai Mon, freely eating fresh fruits in the gardens, the list of fruits grown here will immediately attract your taste buds such as tangerines, rambutans, Orange, durian, grapefruit, whip… Leaving Cai Mon orchard, the fresh sweetness of the fruits still lingers on the tip of your tongue, The memories of Ben Tre will linger eternally within your mind, even in the midst of your long absence from this captivating place.

Visit old brick kilns

While it may not possess the same poetic allure and enchantment as numerous other renowned tourist destinations, the brick kilns scattered across the Mekong Delta region continue to captivate visitors with their unparalleled uniqueness and intriguing peculiarity.

For people in the Mekong Delta, brick making is an important occupation that has existed for a long time and most families here make bricks in a hereditary style. The exact origins of the brickmaking trade remain shrouded in mystery, with no definitive record of its inception. However, what is certain is that the children of this region, from the moment of their birth until they reach adulthood, form an inseparable bond with the towering brick kilns that dot the western landscapes, resembling Vietnamese renditions of majestic pyramids. With a unique look like the Vietnamese version of a pyramid, Western brick making villages are very popular with domestic and foreign tourists. Many people who come here will like to take a journey to experience sitting on a canoe, strolling along the river and admiring the brick kilns on both sides of the road.

The old brick kilns are now located among entertainment places such as Cai Mon flower garden with many colors and scents, as well as the famous Lo Gach Café in which was renovated from a brick kiln but still retains its rural features.

Coconut candy making

Legend has it that the inception of Ben Tre coconut candy dates back to the 1930s, when talented women from the Mo Cay region masterfully made this delectable treat. The ingredients for making coconut candy are all locally available ingredients, including coconut milk, malt, and sugar. Malt is made from delicious glutinous rice, large grains, evenly expanded, with sprouts or old buds. Once the malt is cooked, it takes on a deep yellow hue, possesses a pleasant sweetness, and emits a sweet-scented aroma. The candy’s sweetness is derived from rice and rice noodles, rather than the intense sweetness of sugar.

As well as being a typical rustic sweet, coconut candy has become a key hand-made product of the hande-made village and a typical hand-made village tourism product of Ben Tre. Visitors to coconut candy making facilities will be able to visit the making process and directly participate in the production process. Visitors often join in the process of pouring the mixture into molds and subsequently cutting into each piece of candy. With the unique variations of coconut candy today, visitors will be introduced by candy artisans to new ingredients of coconut candy, including pandan leaves, cocoa, and peanuts. Once the mixture of coconut candy and malt has been poured into the mold, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the hot, sticky, and delectable coconut candy that carries the delightful aroma of coconut and malt, right from the coconut candy oven.

It can be said that coconut candy is always associated with the journey of discovering culture, cuisine, and tourism in the land of coconuts. Therefore, when tourists come to Ben Tre, it seems like everyone is looking to buy coconut candy as gifts for family, relatives, and friends.

Enjoy ‘Don ca tai tu’ performance

A visit to Ben Tre will undoubtedly captivate you with the enchanting melodies and harmonious tunes of Don ca tai tu. This distinctive art form is regarded as a highlight of tourism in Ben Tre. Don ca tai tu holds the esteemed status of being Vietnam’s national music genre, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Originating from ceremonial music, Don ca tai tu flourished in the late 19th century and has become a quintessential folk art of the Southern region, sung by ordinary individuals, young men, and women in the rural areas of the South after their work hours.

Don Ca Tai Tu represents the embodiment of Vietnamese national art, deeply intertwined with the lives of Southern communities over countless generations. Each rendition of a Don ca tai tu song seems to echo the voices, innermost thoughts, and emotions of the countryside inhabitants, reflecting a society characterized by a profound appreciation for talent, generosity, and open-mindedness. It encapsulates a simplicity that is adorned with chivalry and courage.

Most of tourist destinations in Ben Tre now offer captivating performances dedicated to Don Ca Tai Tu, ensuring that visitors to Ben Tre cannot overlook the opportunity to enjoy the folk music of this coconut-laden region.

After visiting Ben Tre, visitors invariably return home with delectable culinary delights and exquisite handicrafts to offer as gifts to their loved ones. You can purchase specialty fruits like mangosteen, Cai Mon durian, green-skin grapefruit, and Nam Roi grapefruit. For longer-lasting gifts, consider options such as My Long rice paper, Son Doc puff cake, coconut jam, coconut candy, coconut wine, and various charming handicrafts crafted from coconuts.