Cities: Bentre

Ben Tre [1] is the capital of eponymous Ben Tre Province in southern Vietnam. Although only a 20 min ferry-ride away from bustling My Tho, this seems to be barrier enough to give the town a genuine backwater feeling. Tourists are still a scarce species and locals are open and friendly.

Ben Tre Province provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the Mekong delta. The milk coffee colored waters wind their way along small channels lined with water palms, thatch and bamboo houses are nestled in the lush orchards. The famous Vietnamese poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu was born in Ben Tre Province, but until now this fact hasn't spawned touristic exploitation.

Get in[edit]

By Boat[edit]

There is a ferry from Vinh Long Province to the north-western part of the island, again you may want to hire some sort of transport to cover the remaining distance to Ben Tre town. You will need a taxi (moto ~ 20,000 Dong for 10min ride). There is also bus 8 from ferry pier 4km east of Vinh Long city to Ben Tre. It seems frequent, costs 19,000 Dong (May 2016) for 2h trip. Pay attention when arriving in Ben Tre as the bus goes through town centre before going to outer bus station, so you can get & early & save a taxi fare. Best seems to stop at the roundabout after the two big bridge and Mat Kinh Dien Bien Phu optic shop and take a taxi (moto ~ 15-20k Dong) to the town center.

By Bus[edit]

Direct (mini-)bus services from Ho Chi Minh City are to be found at Cholon and Mien Tay bus station. A new bridge, constructed in 2009, now connects the city to My Tho so the bus ride is direct, without a ferry. You can find the location of Ben Tre bus station on Google Maps easily with the keyword "Bến xe Bến Tre".

* Thinh Phat Bus - 25A Su Van Hanh Ward 9, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh City - leaves every hour from 5 AM -7.30 PM, for 65 000 VND. * Minh Tam Bus - 204C Sư Vạn Hạnh, Ward 9, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh City - leaves every hour from 5 AM - 7.30 PM, for 65 000 VND.  * Hoang Khai Bus - 86C Hùng Vương, Ward 9, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh City - leaves every hour from 5 AM - 7.30 PM, for 65 000 VND.

Get around[edit]

The town is stretched along the river, so a bicycle or a motorbike seem to be the best way, especially if you are planning to take it to the orchards on the far side of the river. Bicycles can be hired from the large Ham Luong hotel on the north bank of the river ~1km west of central market. Ask nicely at reception.

It is not difficult to take the bus to many districts in Ben Tre Province. Here is the list of the buses:

• • Bus 01: Tien Giang Bus Station - Rach Mieu Bridge - Ben Tre Bus Station - National Roadway 60 - Ham Luong Bridge - Co Chien Bridge

  • Bus 02: Ben Tre Bus Station - Provincial Roadway 885 - Ba Tri Town - Tiem Tom Town

  • Bus 03: Ben Tre bus station - Tan Phu Ferry Station

  • Bus 04: Ben Tre bus station - Cau Van Bridge - Giao Thanh market (Thanh Phu district)

  • Bus 05: Chau Thanh town center - Binh Dai town center

  • Bus 07: Ben Tre bus station - Son Doc (Giong Trom district)

  • Bus 08: Ben Tre bus station - Cho Lach town - Dinh Khao Ferry Station (connect to Vinh Long city)

The schedule for the buses is flexible. So you must to wait about 10~ 30 minutes. The buses work from 5.00 AM - 5.00 PM

See[edit][add listing]

• • Taking a tour along the rivers in Con Phung Island is one of the most popular activities in Ben Tre. From Ben Tre city, take the bus no 01 or a motortaxi ("xe ôm") to Rach Mieu Bridge or Rach Mieu Ferry, you can buy a ticket of the tour easily. Price is about 100,000 VND - 200,000 VND (5 USD - 10 USD) which depends on the number of people.

  • Take the bus no 07 to Provincial Street 887 and then take a motortaxi, you can visit Con Oc Island easily. This islands will give you the memorable experiences of local life in Ben Tre.

  • There are some museums and temples, pagodas. Ben Tre Museum- Ben Tre city and Dong Khoi Building of Historical Value (Nhà tuong niem Dong Khoi) - Mo Cay District will make you know more Vietnam War and Dong Khoi Revolution in Ben Tre. Ben Tre was the beginning of the revolutions in Mekong Delta, with a famous woman army. There are some famous temples and pagodas with local people such as An Hoi Temple, Binh Hoa Temple, Phu Tu Temple, Tan Thach Temple, Van Phuoc Pagoda (Binh Dai)...

  • Nguyen Dinh Chieu Poet's mausoleum (Ba Tri) is also worthy to visit, especially in Ben Tre Traditional culture days (July 1st).

  • Every 4 years, there is a Coconut Festival with many exciting traditional activities. The last festival was from April 7th - April 13th, 2015.

  • You could have a look at the unspoiled market or visit the rice wine factory on the south bank, 0.5 km west from the old bridge. You can also visit the inevitable coconut candy factory here. It's a must if you haven't been to one yet, since in this "factory" basically everything is done by hand.

  • You also can visit the Traditional handicraft villages such as: My Long - Son Doc Rice Paper Villages (Ba Tri), Cai Mon Fruit and Flower Village Cho Lach), Hung Phong Coconut handicraft village (Giong Trom), Phu Le Traditional Alcohol village (Ba Tri).

  • Tips: Ben Tre has most beautiful scenes in Mekong Delta and they are still be very original. Rent a bicycle and riding around the streets in countryside is really an memorable experience. Inside the city area, it is recommended to ride bicycle along 883 Streets ( Đường huyện 883), Binh Phu village, and My Thanh An Village. If you have enough time, riding bicycle to other districts (Mo Cay Bac, Chau Thanh,..) is also amazing.

Do[edit][add listing]

Trung Tam Dieu Hanh Du Lich Ben Tre / Ben Tre tour operation center (closed during lunch) has some tours by boat (US$ 25/30 for 1/2 persons 3-4h), by bike or cart and homestay addresses. It also gives some information on the city. Another option is to speak to one of the man standing around the tourist oriented boat pier (best change is between 2PM and 5PM), which is located on the area west of the new bridge. Some offer nice boat tours combined with biking on one of the islands for around 30USD.

• Explore the Delta. boat trips are one of the nicest ways to negotiate the network of channels, but the land in between the waters is just as fascinating. It's fun to follow some of the small trails along the channels, crossing sidearms on very basic bridges and walking by fruit and coconut orchards.  edit

• Coconut candy factory. There are apparently four factories across town. The shop selling the coconut candy (keo dua) is in the front and the factory is in the back. The visit of the factory where you see the women making the handmade candy is free. 212B Dai Lo Dong Khoi (there is a second shop across the street). Enjoy!  edit

• Market on riverside.  edit

• Ben Tre green tourist (Bao Duyen Tourist), 18D, An Thuan A, My Thanh An, TP Ben Tre, Ben Tre, Viet Nam (Email: baoduyentour@yahoo.com),