One of the most popular jumping-off points for an exploration of the Mekong Delta region in southern Vietnam, Ben Tre Province is also well-connected to the capital, Ho Chi Minh City. While one of the best things to do in Ben Tre Province is cruise the waterways, visitors to this rice-producing province can also explore coconut groves, learn about the history of the Vietnam War, and admire Ben Tre’s lotus lakes.
Ben Tre has plenty to offer visitors year-round, but if you want to see this sleepy palm-fringed province in all its glory, you’ll want to time your visit for fruit season, which is best June–August. However, this also coincides with the region’s rainy season, so you may want to bring an umbrella. Other calendar highlights include Ky Yen Rite festival (March) and Nghinh Ong Rite festival (June), which showcase Ben Tre’s colorful cultural heritage.
Just 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre is accessible by bus or taxi. In Ben Tre, bicycles are a great way to get around, with both self-guided adventures and guided tours available. To head further afield, try going by taxi or motorbike. Boat trips are another great way to explore the region’s picture-postcard villages, orchards, and coconut groves—you can either join a tour or hire a boat and cruise through the canals.
Ben Tre has become an ecotourism hot spot, thanks in part to the construction of bridges to My Tho and Tra Vinh. Outside of the city, visit local coconut candy factories, craft villages, orchards, rice wine distilleries, rice paper villages, and flower villages. Visit the nightly Ben Tre Market to squeeze in all the sights—and flavors. Don’t skip the city itself, where there’s plenty to do including the Ben Tre Revolutionary Museum, local brick factory, and beautiful pagodas.
