Sandwiched between two major branches of the Tien Giang River, Ben Tre is situated on a small island in the Mekong Delta known among other things for its fruit production, its tranquil atmosphere, and as the site of the first Viet Cong victory at the start of the Vietnam war. Once infamous as the village that had to be "destroyed in order to be saved" by American forces, the small town is now a wonderful place to experience the charms of the Mekong Delta. Today, Ben Tre is a tranquil, serene town, whose highlights include old villas, beautiful countryside, and a fascinating, teeming wet market. For a chance to experience relatively untouched parts of Vietnam that few foreigners visit, board a private and relax as the boat makes its way downriver.
Experience it firsthand
Boat trip in sampan
Explore the back roads and intriguing waterways of Ben Tre Province, deep in the heart of the Mekong Delta. You can see many local women work in small factories making coconut candy. They spend their days boiling cauldrons of the sticky coconut goo before rolling it out and slicing sections into squares. The hand-rowed sampan journey under the shadow of the water coconut trees is always a not to be missed part.
Bike Tour of Mo Cay
After your boat ride, hop on a bike and start your two –wheeled exploration of Mo Cay, the site of an excellent wet market. Here, local residents come to buy fresh fish, meat, and vegetables; also available, though admittedly much rarer, are specialties like rat, snake, and spiders, few of which find their way into a typical Vietnamese meal. Stop at a local guesthouse and eat a delicious lunch of traditional Vietnamese dishes served in a breezy pavilion overlooking the river.
Ben Tre Museum
A collection of weaponry, photos, and propaganda from the Vietnam War (referred to as the American War by the Vietnamese), the Ben Tre Museum is housed in a nondescript structure, and is an excellent way to escape the heat or tropical rains. Recently, the museum received some donations in the form of nineteenth century pottery, thus expanding their collection.
Coconut Festival
Held in April of each year, the Coconut Festival is a sort of showcase of Ben Tre’s agricultural sector. At the Festival, coconuts, coconut-related handicrafts are exhibited, judged, and rated. One special treat is the coconut candy, or keo dua, a soft, sticky, and chewy candy beloved by adults and children alike.
Vien Minh Pagoda
While the original structure, built almost a century before, was demolished to make way for the more recent, stone and concrete temple, the Vien Minh Pagoda serves as the headquarters for the provincial Buddhist association. The pagoda also features a white statue of Quan Am, the female bodhisattva, or Buddhist saint, of mercy and compassion.
