This calm Mekong Delta town has narrow streets filled with local markets and coconut farms. Known for its sweet, chewy coconut candy made by local families using traditional methods.
Ben Tre lies 85 kilometers southwest of Ho Chi Minh City in the Mekong Delta. The city's waterways wind between countless coconut palms, which have made coconut candy production a local specialty. You can paddle through narrow canals in wooden boats, watch rare storks at the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, or walk through Cai Mon's fruit orchards to pick fresh durians and mangosteens.
Getting to Ben Tre
You can reach Ben Tre by bus or private car from Ho Chi Minh City, with the journey taking about two hours. The Rạch Miễu Bridge and National Highway 60 connect the city to surrounding provinces. Many travelers join organized day tours from Ho Chi Minh City, which include transportation and multiple stops in the Mekong Delta.
Weather Patterns in Ben Tre
Ben Tre has two distinct seasons. The dry season (December to April) brings average temperatures of 27°C (81°F) with minimal rain. During the rainy season (May to November), expect afternoon downpours and 90% humidity. Water levels rise from September through December, creating deeper canals ideal for boat tours.
Exploring the Waterways
Four main canals - Cái Cá, Cá Lốc, Kiến Vàng, and Gò Đàng - form Ben Tre's water network. Local guides paddle wooden boats through these waterways, where you'll pass under coconut palms and see residents washing clothes, fishing, and transporting goods. Many tours stop at family workshops to watch coconut candy making and sample fresh coconut juice.
Local Food and Markets
The Ben Tre night market runs between Phan Ngoc Tong and Hung Vuong streets. Food vendors set up after sunset, selling Mo Cay district's coconut candy and Phu Da's signature snail pancakes. Local farmers bring mangoes, rambutans, and other tropical fruits from nearby orchards to sell at market stalls.
Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary spans across My Hoa and Tan Xuan communes, where 84 bird species nest in the mangrove forest. Walking paths cross the sanctuary on bamboo bridges, leading to bird watching spots. The area includes former military installations from past conflicts, now integrated into the mangrove landscape.
Cai Mon Orchard Village
Cai Mon grows and supplies tropical fruits to Vietnam's southern region, with a focus on bonsai cultivation. Different fruits ripen throughout the year - rambutans in summer, durians in fall, and mangoes in spring. Local farmers demonstrate grafting techniques and explain their cultivation methods as you walk through the orchards.
