The more visited areas, on the other hand, can be crowded and busy at times, especially on weekends and holidays, so picking the right part of the province matters. Even so, they’re still worth visiting, since many of the things to do in Ben Tre are found in these livelier sections.
This guide covers what to do in Ben Tre, which homestays and hotels are worth considering, how to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City, and how to know whether this part of the Delta fits the kind of traveler you are.
Is Ben Tre Worth Visiting
Bến Tre sits just across the river from My Tho and is often seen as the more rural and peaceful alternative to the larger Mekong Delta cities. The area is known for its coconut farms, quiet jungle‑like canals, and small villages. You can ride along backroads with rice fields on both sides, pass farmers using water buffalo to plough their plots, take a sampan boat through narrow canals, and buy a fresh coconut before settling into a hammock. It’s slow, peaceful, and deeply rural — the countryside of the countryside.
If that’s the kind of Delta experience you’re looking for, Bến Tre is worth visiting.
Ben Tre Things To Do
Ben Tre is more about small villages and calm river life than big attractions. The things to do in Ben Tre are simple and close to everyday life: cycling through coconut groves, drifting along narrow canals, stopping at small workshops, trying durian in different forms and spending time in homestays that sit right on the water are the kinds of things you do here. Nothing is grand or dramatic — the appeal is in the small moments and the slow rhythm.
Ride Sampan Boats in the Canal
This is the classic Mekong Delta scene you’ve probably seen in photos: sitting in a small sampan boat while the boatman or boatwoman sits at the front and gently paddles the boat forward with an oar. You’ll glide through narrow, jungle‑like canals surrounded by coconut groves and more often than not wearing a typical Asian farmer’s hat that’s handed to you before the ride. Along the river you might spot even water coconuts, typically grown along river banks. It’s definitely touristy, but still an experience you shouldn’t miss out on. It’s calm, cozy, and a unique way to see some of the landscape.
I rode a Sampan boat in this area — view location on Google Maps.
Visit a Coconut Village
Coconuts are a big deal in Ben Tre — they’re the backbone of the local economy and a defining part of daily life. The province produces nearly half of all coconuts in Vietnam and exports coconut products to around 90 countries. The industry brings in close to a whopping $500 million USD per year.
In Ben Tre, you’ll see coconut trees everywhere, along with small family workshops turning them into all kinds of products: coconut candy, coconut oil, handicrafts, charcoal, vinegar, and even eco‑friendly household items. Visiting a coconut village gives you a closer look at how nothing goes to waste — every part of the coconut is used for something.
It’s a simple experience, but it’s one of the best ways to understand why Bến Tre is known as Vietnam’s “coconut capital.”
Many tours bring visitors to Mo Cay Town and Chau Thành District, which are the more commercial stops. If you want something quieter and more authentic, rent a motorbike and explore on your own. Chances are you’ll find a smaller family workshop just around the corner.
Taking a Horse Tour in Unicorn Island
A short horse‑cart ride runs through Unicorn Island, taking you along narrow village roads between the different stops. It’s definitely touristy, but it’s a way people move around the island. It takes you to different small spots where they make honey and coconut candy, plus a few simple restaurants and tasting areas.
Explore with a Motorbike
Exploring the area with a motorbike is definitely the best way to see what Ben Tre and the surrounding area had to offer. It gave me complete freedom to move around without relying on taxis, which are harder to find the deeper you go into the countryside. Ride‑hailing apps don’t work well out here, and prices from local taxis can vary a lot — often based on how foreign you look.
The real reward is the landscape you get access to with a motoribke. You’ll ride along quiet backroads with rice fields on both sides, pass farmers working with water buffalo in the fields, stop at small cafés, and buy a fresh coconut before relaxing in a hammock. It’s slow, peaceful, and one of the most enjoyable ways to experience daily life in the Delta because you’re far away from the mass-tour groups.
You can also explore My Tho easily with a motorbike from Ben Tre since it’s just about 15 km away. Most homestays rent them out, and I paid $5 USD for a full day, including a tank of gas.
Try Durian in Different Forms
The Mekong Delta is not only famous for coconuts, but also for its creamy, delicious, and very smelly durian. You can eat the fruit as it is, but you’ll also find it in all kind of forms: smoothies, ice cream, pastries, cakes, and even sticky rice. It shows up everywhere, and trying it in different forms is a fun way to understand why people here love it so much.
Join a Cycling Tour
Cycling around the countryside is a great way to explore Bến Tre too, though your range is shorter than on a motorbike and the heat can make long rides tiring. Many homestays offer free bicycles or rent them out for a small fee, but joining a guided cycling tour can be easier for many travelers since the route, bikes, and logistics are all taken care of. A tour takes you along small backroads you might not find on your own. You’ll pass fruit orchards, quiet villages, coconut workshops, and narrow bridges, and you’ll often stop at family homes or small cafés along the way. Cycling tours can be booked through platforms like Klook or GetYourGuide.
Popular and Affordable Bike Tour
Relax in a Hammock
Relaxing in a hammock is one of the simplest and most satisfying things you can do in Bến Tre. Sometimes the best plan is no plan at all. The quiet countryside is full of small cafés tucked between coconut trees, each with a few hammocks strung up in the shade. Order a fresh coconut, stretch out, and let the heat and stillness slow everything down.
If you don’t have that in your homestay already, these spots are usually scattered along backroads, so you’ll need a bicycle or motorbike to find them. Once you do, the atmosphere is effortless: the sound of rustling palms, the occasional passing scooter, and nothing else demanding your attention. Bring a book and a couple hundred thousand dong, and you can spend hours in that soft, sleepy calm that defines the Delta.
Where To Stay in Ben Tre
Ben Tre has plenty of homestays, but there are a few decent hotels as well, with pools and views over coconut‑filled landscapes. The city has a built‑up area too, though most travelers choose the countryside for a quieter, more rural experience.
Ben Tre Homestay
Homestays are a big part of the Mekong Delta experience, and choosing one can feel a bit overwhelming at first because there are so many options. But people in the countryside are generally friendly and hospitable, so you’ll have plenty of cozy, family‑run places to choose from. I stayed at Hoa Lan Motel & Homestay and paid $10 USD per night.
Other well‑reviewed homestays include:
- Ba Danh Homestay — A peaceful, family‑run homestay in a quiet riverside setting, known for warm hosts, good food, and a relaxed, social atmosphere. It’s simple but clean, with hammocks, free bikes, and easy access to nature.
Book With Hotels.com | Book With Agoda.com - Nam Binh Homestay — A warm, family‑run homestay in a peaceful riverside setting, known for kind hosts, great food, and genuinely local experiences. Guests appreciate the quiet atmosphere, simple comfort, and the insightful tours that start right from the property.
Book with Agoda
Homestays are ideal if you want slow mornings, hammocks, and easy access to the countryside.
Ben Tre Hotels
If you prefer more comfort, there area hotels in Ben Tre with pools and broad views over the Mekong Delta’s rice fields and coconut forests, and they’re surprisingly affordable.
Hotels work well if you want comfort, air‑conditioning, and a base that’s easy to return to after exploring.
The hotels with the highest reviews and best prices include:
Diamond Stars Ben Tre Hotel — A well‑liked hotel with spacious rooms, friendly service, and wide views over the Mekong Delta. Some rooms have bathtubs facing the river, there’s a pool, and staff help arrange transport and small local visits — often described as the best stay in town. It’s popular, so book in advance.
Mango Home Riverside — A quiet riverside lodge with a great pool, clean rooms, friendly staff, and free bikes for exploring the area — a place many guests wish they’d booked for longer.
How to Get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City
The easiest way to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City is by bus. It takes about 1.5-2 hours and costs roughly $6-7 USD, and you can book your ticket directly on 12Go. Most buses run via My Tho before continuing to Ben Tre.
A private car is another common option—it’s slightly faster and usually costs about $60 USD for a four-seated vehicle. It’s a good choice if you are arriving at the airport with a group and want to head straight to the Mekong Delta without hassling with buses. Book a car on 12Go.
Final Thoughts on Ben Tre
Ben Tre is less explored than many other parts of the country, and taking it a bit further by exploring on your own will show you an authentic side of the Mekong region. Many areas see few visitors, and even simple moments — like children waving as you pass by or water buffalos pulling simple ploughs to prepare rice fields — remind you how untouched parts of the province still feel. Getting around by yourself is the best way to go, but if you’re uncomfortable driving a motorbike and don’t have anyone with you who is, it will be harder to explore the quiet backroads and small villages. In that case, joining a small tour might be a better option.
Top-Rated Tours on GetYourGuide
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