Ben Tre at a glance
Ben Tre is known for coconut growing and for coconut candy, made in small workshops. A national tourism guide describes coconut sweets, coconut dishes and coconut hearts, boat rides on canals lined with nipa palms, workshops and cycling routes through the countryside. It lists Ben Tre as a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, about 2 hours away by road.
One point about the name. Ben Tre is no longer a province of its own. Since 1 July 2025 it has been merged with Tra Vinh and Vinh Long into Vinh Long province. The name still works for the place and the coconut region, and tour operators still use it.
What a Ben Tre day trip includes
Based on one published day program from Ho Chi Minh City in 2026.
Motorboat on the river
The program includes a motorboat ride on the river.
Coconut candy workshop
You see how coconut candy is made. Ask whether tasting is included and whether the workshop expects you to buy something.
Mat weaving and rice paper
The program visits a mat weaving workshop in Nhon Thanh and a rice paper maker in My Long. Ask before taking photos of the people working there.
Village ride and meals
A short village ride by xe loi, a local motorcycle cart, is part of the plan. Breakfast and lunch are included in the listed program.
Our picks: Ben Tre
A day trip from Ho Chi Minh City or a private boat tour on the river.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private river and mangrove boat tour in Ben Tre
Three hours by boat and sampan with coconut water, an English-speaking guide and entry, plus an optional bike. Lunch and tips are not included, and hotel pickup costs extra.
Check availability →Mekong Delta day trip with My Tho and Ben Tre
Nine hours with pickup in districts 1, 3 and 4, an air-conditioned bus, a guide, a bike ride, boat rides and lunch. Other drinks and tips are extra.
Check availability →Ben Tre and Mekong Delta day trips
Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre and My Tho, with live prices and availability.
Two sample tours and their prices
The first is a day program by Saigontourist called Ben Tre, with the Vietnamese subtitle of a river love song. It costs from VND 1,079,000 per person in 2026. The booking form shows the same VND 1,079,000 for an adult and a child, and VND 0 for an infant, but without readable age limits. Departure dates published for 2026 are 25 October, 8 November, 22 November, 6 December and 20 December. That means it does not run daily. The group returns to the company office at 19 Hoang Viet in Ho Chi Minh City, and no exact return time is given.
The second is a small-group tour to My Tho and Ben Tre, with a maximum of 7 guests. The adult price is USD 55, rising to USD 66 on holidays. The program has a motorboat, a rowing sampan, a coconut workshop and lunch. Pick-up in Ho Chi Minh City is between 07:00 and 07:30, and the drive to My Tho is about 1.5 hours. Holiday dates for 2026 are 15 February to 3 March, 26 April, 30 April to 1 May and 1 to 2 September.
Child prices on that page appear in two ways: USD 40 (USD 49 on holidays) for ages 4 to 10 in the price table, and 75 percent of the adult price in the general section. Children under 4 are free when they share a seat, and from 11 years the adult price applies. Ask the operator which figure applies.
Ben Tre is not Cai Rang
A day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre does not include the Cai Rang floating market. The two lie in different parts of the delta, and a trip to one does not cover the other. If the market is your goal, read our Cai Rang floating market guide. A night in Can Tho makes the early start easier, and our tour comparison shows the options.
For the wider picture of towns and routes, start with the Mekong Delta. From Ho Chi Minh City, see getting to Can Tho if you want to continue south.
Practical tips
Published prices are for the whole program, not for single workshops. Boat fares, workshop fees, opening hours and tastings differ, so ask each operator what is included and what you pay on the spot.
- Carry small notes in dong for snacks, candy and tips.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen, and bring a light rain jacket in the rainy season, May to November.
- Wear shoes you can walk in on village paths.
- Ask permission before photographing workshop staff, and skip photos of children.
If you like coconut palms and small boats, central Vietnam has its own version near Hoi An. Cam Thanh is known for its coconut palm forest and basket boats.
Ben Tre: frequently asked questions
How far is Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City?
A national tourism guide gives about 2 hours by road. Add time for pick-up and traffic, and note that tour programs also include boat rides.
Is Ben Tre still a province?
No. Since 1 July 2025 it is part of Vinh Long province, together with Tra Vinh. The name Ben Tre is still used for the town, the area and the coconut region.
How much is a Ben Tre day trip?
One published program costs from VND 1,079,000 per person in 2026. A small-group tour to My Tho and Ben Tre lists USD 55 for adults. Prices vary by tour and date.
Does a Ben Tre day trip include the floating market?
No. The My Tho and Ben Tre programs do not visit Cai Rang, which is in the Can Tho area.
Can I join a tour any day?
Not every program runs daily. The Saigontourist program lists specific dates, with the next ones on 25 October and 8 November 2026. Check dates before you plan.
Can children join?
Yes, on the programs above children are priced separately, but the child price rules differ by operator. Check the exact age limits when you book.