Planning a trip to Ben Tre Mekong Delta? This is known as the “Coconut Kingdom” of Vietnam. It features green river vistas and numerous narrow canals. This article offers a neat overview of Ben Tre province, the town at the heart of it, the markets in the vicinity and how to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Tre An Introduction to the Coconut Land
First of all, let me introduce you to Ben Tre Mekong Delta. This province is located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. It lies near the end of the Mekong River system, where the river empties into the East Sea.
- Geography: Ben Tre has odd landscape. GeographyIt is created mainly by 3 big islets (An Hoa, Bao, Minh) formed by 3 big branches of Mekong River (specifically Tien river, Ham Luong river, Co Chien river) It is adjacent to the provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Tra Vinh. Its capital city is about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City.
- The “Coconut Kingdom”: Ben Tre is known for its many coconut trees. A significant percentage of the land area of the province is covered by coconut plantations. The culture of coconuts is woven inextricably into the local economy - coconuts are used in food and drinks, handicrafts and building materials. This happened to lend it the popularly used epithets ben tre coconut kingdom.]
- Complex Canal System: Aside from the major rivers, the province has a very densely woven natural canal and creek network running through it. These waterway networks make life in Ben Tre Mekong Delta. It remains a traditional means of transportation and affects settlement pattern in a lot of the province’s rural areas.
- Main Draws for Visitors: Ben Tre attracts people for its unique riverside scenery and cultural experiences. One of the main things to do is take a ben tre boat trip, ideally with a serene sampan ride through the narrow, shaded canals. Other popular draws are meals at coconut processing workshops (which are like candy making), and driving through orchards and on quiet village roads, or living more locals’ life by also staying overnight at a ben tre homestay.
These are key features that characterize Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
Common Ben Tre Tours Often Combined With My Tho
Realize how tours to Ben Tre Mekong Delta, particularly the very applicants day trips departing from HCMC, typically function. Most standard, packaged group tours advertised with reference to “Ben Tre” include activities in My Tho city (in neighboring Tien Giang province) and parts of Ben Tre province itself in the same tour.
This is the standard itinerary flow for this popular combined day trip structure:
- Road Transfer from HCMC: The tour starts with a bus or van ride from Ho Chi Minh City down to My Tho city (approx. 1.5 hours via expressway).
- Motorized Boat on Tien River: In My Tho, you switch to a larger motorized boat for the cruise of the main Tien River.
- Islet Things To Do (Tien Giang): The boat usually drops at the Thoi Son Islet (Unicorn Islet). And keep in mind that this island is in Tien Giang province and not in Ben Tre. Activities at such spots generally involve quick stops to view fruit orchards, maybe a beehive farm for honey tea tasting and often a short performance of local folk music.
- Sampan Ride into Ben Tre Canals: Once you get off the larger boat or Thoi Son Islet, you’ll transfer to smaller wooden rowboats (sampans). You are then paddled – often by women — through narrow, shaded canals. You’re likely to find this charming ride through water coconut palm groves when you venture into the smaller waterways of Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
- Coconut Candy Workshop (Ben Tre): The sampan usually drops you off at a coconut candy workshop on the Ben Tre side of river system. Here you see the making of Ben Tre’s famous specialty, and usually taste and have a chance for a purchase.
- Optional Short Land Activities (Ben Tre): Depending on the specific tour, optional add ons will include short horse cart rides along a village path or riding a bicycle locally on the Ben Tre side.
- Lunch — lunch of local dishes is generally included, often at a restaurant on one of the islets.
- Return Back: You motorboat back to yourself to the My Tho pier + bus/van back to HCMC (~1.5+ more hours on the road)
So, while partly promoted as a visit to Ben Tre, just know that broiler tour format allocates a lot of time to stops in Tien Giang province too. The main experiences traditionally attributed to Ben Tre per se on such a generic itinerary are the ride through the sampan canal and the coconut products. It makes a convenient and accessible overview of the immediate riverside areas close to My Tho and parts of Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
Exploring Ben Tre City
Ben Tre city is the provincial capital of Ben Tre province. It serves as the primary administrative, commercial, and service hub of the coconut-rich area. It tends to have a more curled, less bustling cosmopolitan vibe than Can Tho. The city sits on the banks of the wide Ham Luong River, a significant distributary of the Mekong.
Although many of the more popular tourist things to do connected to Ben Tre are located in nearby rural districts and canals, there are a few places of interest in Ben Tre city itself for visitors:
- Public Parks: Riverside parks are common along Ham Luong riverbank. They are nice places to walk, loaf around and watch the river traffic. The monument is located in the Dong Khoi Park area which is a central point.
- Ben Tre Museum: A provincial museum that offers information on Ben Tre’s local history, culture, revolutionary past and its relation the coconut industry. Be sure to confirm current opening hours.
- Ben Tre Market (Chợ Bến Tre) — The city’s main central market and a hub of local commerce (more below).
- Local Restaurants & Cafes: There are numerous restaurants in the city for you to enjoy Ben Tre specialties and relaxation.
- Starting Point for Short Trips: Locally, you could book boat trips or land tours more easily and comfortably from somewhere else, at say an earlier or more popular township such as My Tho or Can Tho.
If you choose to use the provincial capital as your base when visiting Ben Tre Mekong Delta, spend some time exploring the city. Especially a glimpse of the daily life of typical Bedouins in the Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
Ben Tre Market Understanding the Local On Land Market
What does Ben Tre market mean in tourism? When you search for ben tre market, you are looking for something that usually is conventionally understood as tourism. Unlike Can Tho, which has the popular Cai Rang, floating market, Ben Tre province is not famous for large, active tourist-trap floating markets.
- The Main Market is Land Based: When we talk about the “Ben Tre Market,” we are precisely referring to the main central market that is on land (Chợ Bến Tre) in Ben Tre city itself.
- Market Type: Typical Vietnamese wet and dry market. Its main purpose is to meet the grocery needs of the local population. One word of caution: Related: Some of the best free things to do in Jakarta It can get busy and crowded, especially in the morning hours when locals would purchase groceries and household items.
- What you can buy here: A little bit of everything. They grow many Balkans, Coimbatore, vegetables and fruits (especially coconuts and other specialties from local farms in Ben Tre Mekong Delta), as well as meat, fresh fish and seafood, frozen products, necessities, clothes, and shops of local dishes.
- Visitors experience: You definitely visit Central Ben Tre Market It provides a real chance to witness local trade and day-to-day existence. Local snacks may also be available, as well as packaged specialties such as coconut candy or rice paper which you can buy directly from street vendors. But it is not a purpose-built tourist site with set performances or English-language explanations hanging at the ready; it is a working local marketplace.
- Difference from Tour Stops: It is also important to highlight that the central market is different from the small coconut candy workshops or handicraft stalls that are commonly part of stops on organized tours through the Ben Tre area. These stops are specifically designed for tourist displays and sales, separate from the main city market.
However, keep your expectations in check it is a regular land market, not a floating one though a trip through the central market gives an authentic glimpse of local commerce in Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
How to Travel from HCMC Saigon to Ben Tre
There are several easy transport options for getting to ben tre from ho chi minh city (HCMC, commonly known as Saigon). By road, the distance is approximately 85 kilometers.
By Bus Coach Most Popular
Taking the bus (xe khách) is the main way means of Ben Tre Mekong Delta travel for most people, locals and tourists. It is like a lot of direct and cheap.
- Departures (HCMC): In HCMC, the overwhelming majority of buses leave from Mien Tay Bus Station (Western Bus Station) in Binh Tan District. You should also factor the need to allow a good 30-60 minutes or more to arrive at this station from central HCMC districts, usually by taxi or a ride-hailing app like Grab.
- Point of arrival (Bến Tre): Directly at the Bến Tre Bus Station (Bến xe Bến Tre), in the center of Bến Tre city. It’s easy to take a short taxi or motorbike taxi (xe ôm) from the station to your hotel or accommodation.
- Well-Known Train Services: Many reputable companies run regular Saigon to Ben Tre services. One very popular operator is FUTA Bus Lines (Phương Trang), which has many departures per day and a very smooth online/app booking process. This route also operates other companies such as Thinh Phat, Thao Chau, etc (usually, you can look up the schedule and buy tickets on Vexere, etc.)
- Duration: The bus ride will take around 2 to 2.5 hours. It all depends on traffic, particularly when leaving HCMC and crossing the Rach Mieu Bridge close to Ben Tre.
- Reference fare: The price for one way tickets is quite cheap and usually from 80,000 VND to 120,000 VND (Approximated in April/2025). Prices may differ; always check the current rate upon booking.
- Departure frequency: Major operators like FUTA have very high usage, with buses setting off every 30 to 60 minutes over the course of the day.
- Pay methods: You can book tickets directly at the Mien Tay station counters, on the official website or app of the bus companies (such as FUTA which is often recommended) or on third-party booking websites like Vexere. It is recommended to book online in advance particularly on weekends or holidays.
The bus is a fast and convenient way to reach Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
Other Transport Options
The bus is the most popular option, but there are alternative ways to get to Ben Tre Mekong Delta:
- Private Car / Taxi / Ride-sharing: For maximum door-to-door convenience and flexibility on timing, consider hiring a private car with driver. Traditional taxi (or ride-hailing app) services may also provide intercity service. This option is significantly more expensive than the bus.
- Motorbike: Experienced drivers with an international driving license and who are confident with Vietnamese highway traffic can enjoy the maximum freedom by riding a motorbike. The 85km distance likely takes 2 hours or more to do, not including stop(s). Make sure your bike is appropriate and you wear the correct safety equipment.
Select the mode of transport that suits your budget, level of comfort and travel preferences the most.
Other Activities And Attractions In Ben Tre
Are you searching for things to do in ben tre beyond the city centre and the standard combined tour stops? More of the river culture and coconut identity of the province awaits out on the periphery. Some popular types of activities are found in Ben Tre Mekong Delta:
- Sampan Canal Ride: (This deserves repeating as it’s one of the key activities) A calm rowboat tour through the small, shady canals that are lined with water coconut palms may well be the most stereotypical Ben Tre activity.
- Coconut Product Workshops: Most tours include visits to local facilities to see the production of coconut candy (kẹo dừa, the coconut equivalent of caramel) from start to finish. It often includes tastings.
- Coconut Handicrafts: Keep an eye out for visits to artisan markets where you can see coconut wood, coconut shells, or coconut fibers transformed into local handicrafts.
- Fruit Orchard Exploration: Nearby fruit orchards are great to walk or cycle through, along with the opportunity to learn about cultivation and consume fruits in season (rambutan, longan, pomelo and the like).
- Keep Pedaling on Rural Paths: Whether you rent a bicycle on your own or go on a cycling tour, taking the time to pedal down the quiet village streets and countryside scenery is a slower-paced introduction.
- Special: Stay one night or more in a homestay in a remote village to experience traditional lifestyle with locals.
- Cultural/Historical Sites: Another ben tre attractions is cultural or historical points. Such is the case with the Nguyen Dinh Chieu Memorial complex – dedicated to the region’s beloved blind poet.
They offer a deeper look into Ben Tre Mekong Delta beyond the very basic stops offered in the most basic combined tours.
Conclusion Ben Tre A Peaceful Place With Mekong Identity
We hope that you had a glimpse of what Ben Tre Mekong Delta could offer you in close up. Its well-deserved nickname, “Coconut Kingdom,” also means that product and groves play a significant role in its character. It’s often defined by travelling its dense network of smaller canals by boat.
Although Ben Tre city itself has just basic services and is not the drawcard for most visitors, the surrounding countryside is attractions with tours or visiting independently. Note: What to visit in HCMC common day trips usually have 1 bloated itinerary with My Tho. Ben Tre offers its lily pads and mangroves and a peaceful, green life living mainly in agriculture as a riverine society. If you visit, you get to see this unique and different corner of the Ben Tre Mekong Delta.
