Where to go,
what to do in Ben Tre

There are so many amazing things to go and explore in Ben Tre, from lush landscapes to local sites and traditions, promising an unforgettable adventure.

A fisherman on the Mekong River, using a traditional fish trap to catch his daily catch.

See fisherman

Ask a fishman randomly if you can get on the boat to see him working.

Mekong Sunset

Walking along Ben Tre bridge to see the beautiful sunset on the Mekong River.

Vibrant Market

Get up early and explore vibrant local markets in Ben Tre city, try some local cakes, try some fruits, see how abundant and fresh the food ingredients are here.

Ben Tre pancake, a popular local food in Mekong Delta

Streetfood

Try some street food in Ben Tre city. Adventurous sometimes but tasty. See the suggestions here: link

Cycle, walk, motorbike, tuktuk

Cycling, walking, riding a motorbike, or taking a tuktuk through lush villages. It's fun, safe, and okay to get lost.

Harvest coconuts

Stop by to see a man taking coconuts on top of the trees

Chop coconuts

Ask a local how to chop the coconut properly, how to peel coconut, how to take coconut flesh, how to cook coconut caramel

Men are pilling coconut fibre off the coconut shell in Ben Tre

Coconut Factories

Go to Cho Thom see the coconut river, where factories are densed on the 2 sides, with boats carrying coconuts busy moving up and down stream.

A lottery vendor in Ben Tre, Vietnam, selling his tickets with a smile

Buy a lottery ticket

Buy a lottery ticket for 10.000vnd and join with the local to bet for your fortune at the end of the day. Fun guarantee!

Kayak

Take a kayak, discover a quiet canal by yourself.

A vibrant sea of flowers in Cai Mon village, the flower basket of the Mekong Delta, supplying Ho Chi Minh City and other southern cities with fresh and beautiful flowers.

Cai Mon flowers village

Wonder around Cai Mon village, where the locals grow hundreds of flowers, bonsai, trees to sell to Sai Gon and all over Vietnam.

Vast Mekong river boat trip

Take a boat trip to really feel the vast Mekong River

The Vàm Hồ Bird Sanctuary in Bến Tre, Vietnam, is a haven for birds of all shapes and sizes. Egrets, herons, and cormorants soar through the mangrove trees, their calls echoing through the air.

This sanctuary is a vital habitat for these birds, providing them with food, shelter, and breeding grounds. It is also a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into the natural beauty of the Mekong Delta.

Vam Ho bird mangroves

Go to Vam Ho to see the birds, mangroves.

Fishing boats

Ask permission to get on a big fish carrying boat on Ben Tre fish market, feel the floating life.

Coconut milk coffee, speacilty in Ben Tre

Fresh Coconut Milk Coffee

Try coffee with fresh coconut milk at Ba Danh homestay.

Shrimp and prawns stir-fried with coconut milk, a specialty of Ben Tre that every housewife knows how to cook.

Taste Mekong food

Taste " Tep rang dua" "grill snake head fish" "Mekong salads" at Ba Danh homestay.

A hammock strung in a peaceful setting in Bến Tre, Vietnam. The hammock is surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of birds chirping.

Lie on hammock

Hang on a Mekong hammock, read a book, sip a drink

A tranquil full moon in Bến Tre, Vietnam, peeping through the coconut leaves. The moon's silvery light casts a soft glow over the water, creating a magical and serene scene.

Watch moon and fireflies

Walking around the village at night time, if you are lucky, you gonna see hundreds of fireflies on trees

Where to eat

Click on the image title to head to google map location

grilled pork with vermicelli noodles, a popular street food in Ben Tre city, Vietnam. The pork is grilled over charcoal until tender and juicy, and the noodles are served with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a dipping sauce.

Grilled meat with vermicelli

"Bun Thit Nuong" or Grilled meat mix with vermicelli is a traditional Southern Vietnamese dishes that includes sprouts and fresh veggies

A thin and crispy Banh Xèo pancake from Thay Cai, a famous local restaurant in Ben Tre, Vietnam. The pancake is filled with a variety of ingredients, including shrimp, pork, bean sprouts

Mekong fried pancake

Banh Xeo Thay Cai is a famous local fried pancake restaurant in Ben Tre. The cake is super thin and crunchy.

A taste of Ben Tre street food: smoky, juicy, tender beef wrapped in lolot leaves. This dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Experience the unique flavors of the Mekong Delta on a full-day tour with Con Thoi Loi.

Beef rolled in lolot leaves

This smoky, juicy, tender beef wrapped in lolot leaves dish is unbelievable delicious.

A vibrant bowl of green porridge made from pandan leaves and rice, served alongside coconut-fried shrimps or shredded radish in Ben Tre, Mekong Delta. This delightful dish is enjoyed during a scenic tour with Con Thoi Loi

Pandan leaf Porridge

Green porridge from pandan leaves and rice eat together with coconut fried shrimps or shredded radish

Braised Chicken Noodles

The dish is made with flavourful chicken broth, egg noodles, and vegetables. The small wooden restaurant sits quietly in an alley in Ben Tre, called Mỳ Gà Tiềm Nhà Gỗ

Indulge in the flavors of Ben Tre, Mekong Delta with Bánh canh bột xắt, thick Vietnamese noodles made from tapioca flour. Savor the dish with a choice of pork or duck meat, adding a local touch to your culinary journey during a delightful tour with Con Thoi Loi

Knife-cut rice udon cake soup

Bánh canh bột xắt is a thick Vietnamese noodles dish that can be made from tapioca flour and eat with pork or duck meat

Experience the culinary delights of Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta with this renowned Southern dish. Grilled lemongrass pork chops, a fried egg, and a medley of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber create a flavorsome ensemble. Savor the essence of Southern Vietnamese cuisine during an enriching tour with Con Thoi Loi.

Broken rice with grilled pork and fried egg

Famous Southern dish from grilled lemongrass pork chops, fried egg, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber

Rooted in Chinese culinary influence in Cambodia and later embraced in southern Vietnam, this cherished noodle soup is characterized by a clear, savory broth crafted from simmered pork and bones. Enhanced with a medley of vegetables and seafood, this dish reflects a harmonious fusion of flavors. Experience the cultural journey of this soup in southern Vietnam, particularly in Ben Tre, Mekong Delta, on a tour with Con Thoi Loi

Hu Tieu Noodle soup

Originating from Chinese immigrants in Cambodia and then making its way to southern Vietnam, this beloved noodle soup features a clear, savory broth made by simmering pork and bones, combining with veggies and seafood.

Savor the delightful experience of thick and sweet red bean soup, complemented by jiggling jelly and refreshing ice. A perfect treat to cool off, especially when enjoyed in the serene surroundings of Ben Tre, Mekong Delta, during a tour with Con Thoi Loi

Sweet Bean cool soup

Red bean soup is thick, sweet, combine with jiggling jelly and cool ice

Do & don't

To make the most of your visit and ensure a warm connection with the local community and environment, here are some friendly tips to keep in mind

Don't mind if they laugh at how silly you are, at anything you do. Laughing don't mean offending. Just laugh with them, at how silly you are.
Some factories might not be open to visitors, as they are serious in their work and prefer not to welcome strangers. If you're interested, consider visiting a local family instead. Politely express your desire to take photos, and if they offer you tea, don't hesitate to accept their hospitality.

a couple of women sitting on chair while waiting for street food in Ben Tre full day tour with Con Thoi Loi

Be adventurous with your taste buds! Don't shy away from trying local dishes you've never heard of before. I promise, you won't regret it!
If a local family kindly invites you to share a meal with them, take them up on the offer. They genuinely want you to be part of their experience, so relax and enjoy the moment. No need to worry; you're in good company!"
Don't try too hard to eat all the food on the table. Usually, you can't. They will bring more if they see the table are about to be empty. Nature, people in Mekong are very generous, offering more than you need is a culture fact, typical Mekong Delta.
Don't be shy. Be curious, engaging when you see something interesting. Ask them, by body language, if you can join, if you can try, if you can learn...peel off a coconut, get on a fishing rowing boat, sit and have a cup of tea with a group of local man, take a photo with a local woman on the way...Most of the time, you will got an "yes" with a smile.

Where to go, what to do in Ben Tre

Where to eat

Click on the image title to head to google map location

Do & don't

Where to go,
what to do in Ben Tre