The few travellers who push on beyond My Tho into Ben Tre Province are rewarded with some of the Mekong Delta’s most breathtaking scenery. Until recently this province was isolated by the Mekong’s wide arms around it, but the new Rach Mieu Bridge from My Tho (opened in 2009) is starting to bring a rush of visitors. Famed for its fruit orchards and coconut groves (Vietnamese call it the “coconut island”), the province has proved just as fertile a breeding ground for revolutionaries, first plotting against the French, and later against the Americans, and was one of the areas seized by the Viet Cong during the Tet Offensive of 1968.
Ben Tre
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.
Ben Tre, located at the end-stream of Mekong River , is a good place for boat trips. Exclusively, Ben Tre is famous for coconut candy. During journey, you will visit traditional family -run factories where women boil large cauldrons of sticky mixture, rolling it out, cutting into small squares and then wrapping them into paper for sale.
Ben Tre
It is possible for a day trip to Ben Tre from Saigon . In Bentre, boat trips to island are highlights beside other activities including visit orchards, bee – keeping farm, enjoy traditional music and see coconut candy production process at a local factory.
Trips to Mekong Delta are suitable all year round but the best time is the monsoon from June to September.
Bring along camera, hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.
