"Coconut Land" Tourism - Building special products

 Ben Tre is one of thirteen provinces and city in the Mekong Delta - consisting of three islands – Bảo, Minh and An Hóa, embraced by four of the nine tributaries of the gentle Mekong River: Tiền, Hàm Luông, Ba Lai and Cổ Chiên rivers. It is dubbed as the Land of Coconuts with a system of interlaced canals, has created the tourist brand "Eco-waterway coconut land" - A safe, friendly and quality destination.

Cù Lao Minh consists of four districts: Chợ Lách, Mỏ Cày Bắc, Mỏ Cày Nam and Thạnh Phú, creating a eco-waterway tourist route "From the river to the sea" known to many tourists and travel agencies. In particular, the province's tourist industry is rebuilding a specific tourist route, a eco-waterway tourist route that can only be experienced in the Coconut Land of Bến Tre. It is the route to the coconut floating market, the large cococraft village on the Thom river – Mỏ Cày Nam and the Chợ Lách Cultural and Tourist Village.

Coconut Homestay

Mỏ Cày Nam district has the top coconut growing area and output in the province with handicraft villages, fiber, desiccated coconut. Mỏ Cày Town will be oriented to become a "coconut city" and built on the foundation of an ecological urban area with cultural identity, associated with coconut trees. This place is convenient for both road and waterway traffic - the intersection of National Highway 60 and 57. Special national relic "Đồng Khởi relic" in Định Thuỷ commune - displays coconut shells, machetes, home-made guns, self-made bombs and mines, guerilla - fighting villages; national relic of Tuyên Linh Pagoda in Minh Đức commune. Thom river connects two big rivers, Hàm Luông and Cổ Chiên, bustling with coconut floating market - day and night; production facilities of handicrafts from coconut; boat building craft village in An Định commune; green skin pomelo cooperative groups; organic coconut gardens; Coconut Homestay using materials from coconut trees,…

Ornamental flower village and Cai Mon seedings

Chợ Lách district - "Cái Mơn - the kingdom of ornamental flowers", "the land of good fruit trees" or "the largest seedling production area in the country" is a new rural district with many OCOP (one commune one product) products which are considered local specialties such as: rambutan, durian, green-skin pomelo, mangosteen, bonsai, seedlings - ornamental flowers,... of 31 traditional villages with famous and long-standing brands. Besides, the district is rich in spiritual life and many ancient religious architectural works: Kim Long pagoda, Cái Mơn ancient church, Cái Nhum church... Currently, the district has many attractions, homestays, accommodation facilities are operating such as: Hoàng Duy, Năm Công ornamental gardens...(Hưng Khánh Trung B), Lâm Nga hanging flower (Vĩnh Thành), Nguyễn Gia ecotourism (Tân Thiềng) and homestay Năm Hiền (Chợ Lách Town), Ba Ngói eco-tourism site (Vĩnh Bình), Đại Lộc (Sơn Định), Jardin Du Mekong (Hòa Nghĩa),,, Trương Vĩnh Ký commemorated stele, Cái Mơn bio-technology application area. Especially, Chợ Lách Culture and Tourist Village consists of 4 communes: Long Thới Commune: Rooster Mekong Resort; Vĩnh Thành Commune: Cái Mơn largest ornamental flower village in Chợ Lách and the fruit gardens of Bảy Thảo and Minh Thanh …; Phú Sơn commune: producing all kinds of colourful-paper flowers; Vĩnh Hòa commune: seedlings, ornamental flowers and special fighting cocks farm. The Village of Culture and Tourism has installed a lighting system in An Hòa hamlet, Long Thới commune; expanding district road 34, 35 and 37; concreting 2 dike roads at Đông Kinh and Lân Đông hamlets (3.5km) to make a new road for electric vans and bicycles; building piers at Lân Đông hamlet and  at Kinh Bảo Vàng bridge, welcome gates to Culture and Tourist Village in Vĩnh Nam, Đông Kinh, An Hòa hamlets...

The eco waterway tourist itinerary (Sông Thom) and Chợ Lách Culture and Tourist village will be prominent tour, attracting tourists in the near future, specifically the 2 days / 1 night program as follows:

Day 1:

Depart from Ben Tre City to Chợ Lách. Stop at Chợ Lách Cultural and Tourist Village, ride a bicycle or take electric van to visit Cai Mon ornamental flower gardens and Bay Thao durian garden, Lan Dong paper flower village , experience the cock-farm… Continue to Long Thoi commune, rest and have lunch at Rooster Mekong Resort. Afternoon, cruise on Ham Luong river, visit Cai Ga islet. Back to Mo Cay Nam, on the way, visit the memorial stele of Truong Vinh Ky, Cai Mon church, Cai Mon biotechnology application area. Dinner and overnight at Coconut homestay.

Day 2:

Breakfast, visit Tuyet Phung coconut candy kiln and special national relic "Đồng Khởi relic" Định Thuỷ commune, Mỏ Cày Nam; row sampan in the coconut water canal, experience handicrafts and small-scale coconut processing, boat  trip on the Thom River, visit the coconut floating market, cycle around the craft village, An Thanh commune market... Get in the car, go to the tourist destination - Thành Long Coconut Garden, Thành Thới B Commune, have lunch, visit the temple of Whale, admire the bridge and Cổ Chiên River. End program. Continue the journey to Trà Vinh - Khmer culture.

With cultural values and potentials, in the coming time, Cù Lao Minh in general and the Chợ Lách – Mỏ Cày Nam tourist program will promote its strengths in tourism. In the near future, Bến Tre tourism will show up and has new shirt, attracting more and more domestic and foreign tourists.

Source: dulich.bentre.gov.vn

Ben Tre tourism service activities at night

 In order to serve tourists for staying in a locality when they join in an experience and enjoyment travel itineraries.Tourists often find out the suitable service activities at night so that they can meet the needs without wasting their time in trip that is really essential.Coming to Ben Tre, the hometown of Coconut Land, the service activities at night are not much; The typical activities are introduced to help tourists choose them when they stay at night in Dong Khoi Homeland.When tourists have their needs for entertainment such as watching art performances, the travel companies will take or pick you up to the Provincial Culture - Cinema center (April 30, Ward 4) to watch the Water Puppet program, "Singing - Sac bua Phu Le" or come to the Provincial Museum (Hung Vuong Street, An Hoi Ward) to enjoy and exchange the Southern amateur music on weekends; For watching the movie service, let's go to the Galaxy Cinema Ben Tre (Co.op Mart Ben Tre Supermarket).Karaoke is also an indispensable type for tourists who like participating in singing such as: Karaoke Bum, karaoke Cozy; karaoke Diamond; karaoke Ut An; ...

Electric car or van on  city tour in the center of Ben Tre city 's the area.

Visitors wish to shop, go to Sense City Trade Center (Tran Quoc Tuan street, ward 4); GO trade center (Highway 60, Phu Tan ward) or go to Ben Tre night market (Hung Vuong street, An Hoi ward). If you want to be more beautiful, you can go to Viet SIAM Health Care Facility, which is a qualified facility to operate its business.

Food and beverage is also indispensable during the period of your stay. Let's enjoy the typical dishes of the Homeland of Coconut that have recognized as restaurants, facilities for customers, tourism such as:TTC Floating or garden restaurants; TTC Palace Ben Tre; Viet - Uc Restaurant; Ben Tre Rirverside; Diamond Stars Ben Tre; An Nam Restaurant; Pho Loc Restaurant; Hung Vuong Restaurant; Con Phung Tourist and some fastfood services lovely such asJollibee, Lotteria, ... The coffee shops: Hemo, Lo Gach, Vuon Hong, Lang Van, ...Some transportation services which are participated in the accompanying services such as electric car for sightseeing in City tour; The tourism boats serve the services of sightseeing, eating and drinking, such as: Bao Duyen, Nam Bo,...(Ben Tre City), Mango Home (Giong Trom); Cai Ga, Nguyen Gia (Cho Lach); Chin Song (Thanh Phu); Cai Cam (Mo Cay Bac)

A group of skilled cooksis frying Vietnamese pancake at Con Phung countryside market (photo C.Phung)​

To meet the requirements of taking souvenir photos both day and night, you can come to Ben Tre Museum; An Hoi Park with the work of 13 sets of stone instruments; Dong Khoi Ben Tre Park; My Hoa Park; Tran Van On Park (Truc Giang Lake; Hung Vuong Riverside ) combining with the image of Ben Tre bridge.

At present night-time products are still limited, some services are only available until 22-23 hours and not enough to meet the needs of tourists to stay at night in Ben Tre. So the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also advised the Provincial People's Committee to carry out some projects to develop night tourism in Ben Tre according to Plan 6445 / KH-UBND dated December 2, 2020 on implementing the Prime Minister's Decision No. 1129 / QD-TTg dated July 27, 2020 approving the Night Economic Development Project in Vietnam such as: The Weekend Fair Project; Implementing the project of Coconut Country Night Street; Implementing the Ben Tre tourism development project up to 2030;Some decisions to develop the night tourism.Hopefully, Ben Tre tourism from now on to 2030, will have more investors to come and invest more products to achieve the goal of making Ben Tre tourism become an important economic sector in 2025 to a spearhead one in 2030./.

Source: dulich.bentre.gov.vn

“Coconut Land” Tourism - Awaken potentials of Binh Dai district

With a 27km coastline of  Ben Tre province and being located on An Hoa island, bordering Chau Thanh district in the north-west -  Tien River in the north, Ba Lai River in the south-west and the East Sea in the east, Binh Dai is one of three coastal districts with great economic potential (especially the aquaculture and fishing). Tourism - a non-smoke industry - has also been seen as the district's advantage in recent times to attract tourists.

Tourism potentials of Binh Dai are diversified with two beaches of Thua Duc and Thoi Thuan and many casuarina, mangrove anh lowland-salt forests, plus mango, longan, watermelon fields, salt fields, shrimp lakes; or Chay Muoi islet with sandy beach and sea-snail bank 1.5m high, 6,000-7,000m long to hold back sea-wave (unique dyke in Viet Nam country); or fishing port associated with the dry-fish processing village and Nghinh Ong Nam Hai Festival, Binh Thang commune ... The homestays are welcoming guests such as: Homestay Ut Trinh, Tam Hiep Commune; Ba Tu islet Homestay in Thoi Thuan commune and Thua Duc commune's Forest Keeper homestayare also gradually being promoted and exploited better and better.

The tourists take photo in Thua Duc Beach

Long Thanh, Long Phung Temples are national-level architectural one. Ba Lai Dam (the largest dam in the country) and Van Phuoc Pagoda are the places for historical, cultural and spiritual research with very nice views. The cuisine of Binh Dai district is also very rich and attractive with many dishes of brackish and salty waters such as shrimp, crab, fish, clams, oysters and many dishesto be processed from fresh seafood ...

It can be seen that the destinations and activities of tourism in Binh Dai district are quite diverse from relaxation, spiritual, experience tourisms. However, the tourist spots still face many difficulties and service quality is not yet guaranteed and connected to complete tours for tourists.

The tourists visiting in Binh Dai District

To awaken the potentials and develop tourism in Binh Dai district becoming a spearhead economic sector need to be surveyed, built and promoted many things. It is necessary to increase the propagation of Politburo Resolution No. 08-NQ / TW; Action Program No. 22-CTr / TU dated 20/7/2017 of the Provincial Party Committee; Plan No. 4573 / KH-UBND dated October 9, 2017 of the Provincial People's Committee; Action Program No. 17-CTr / HU of the District Party Committee for the political system and people to realize that tourism playing an important role, contributing to economic development and making Binh Dai people hospitable and dynamic.

A corner of Thua Duc Beach

Looking on the Ben Tre map, Binh Dai district has 3 tour itineraries: Con Tam Hiep (community tourism), Phu Long islet(freshwater ecotourism) and Thua Duc - Thoi Thuan  salty ecology. With their own characteristics, the diversified types of tourism can be connected 2 or 3 programs into 1day or 2days /1night tours to attract tourists to travel and experience agricultural tourism products and study about the farmer's life here:

1/. The first itinerary: Going to Binh Dai district, crossing An Hoa bridge, visit Dinh Long Thanh, Long Dinh commune (National level relic). Cruise on the Tien River, land at Tam Hiep Islet, rest at Ut Trinh homestay, eat, experience going- fishing, visit beekeeping gardens, statue sculpture sites and enjoy herb jelly. Rowing on the water palm canals and cycle around the village road under the green longan gardens.

2/. The second itinerary: Visit Huynh Tan Phat Temple, Phu Long islet - type of agricultural resort, fruit garden. Experience freshwater ecotourism, scent coconut garden. Cruise, visit Ba Lai dam and Vam Ho bird sanctuary.

3/. The third itinerary: Binh Dai Sea, visit the fishing port and Binh Thang dry fishing village. Van Phuoc Pagoda, “Forest keeper" Farmstay, De Dong market - Thua Duc commune. “Ba Tu islet" Homestay,  sea bathing atThoi Thuan beach beside the “Viet snail" dyke.

Surely, Binh Dai tourism will improve competitiveness and attract tourists. Tourism investment in Binh Dai district not only develops economic but also brings environmental benefits, ensures long-term and sustainable development of relaxation, rural tourism and community based tourism. It also contribute to the socio-economic development target of Binh Dai district./.​​​

Source: dulich.bentre.gov.vn

Coconut Tree - Soul in Ben Tre Tourism

Ben Tre has long been known as the "green coconut capital" because it has the largest area and production of coconut in Viet Nam. Ben Tre province has 72,000 ha (occupy nearly 50 % whole country's coconut area); with 200,000 households planting coconut, the output reaches nearly 800 million fruits per year, the value of coconut products occupies 20% industrial production and 25% Ben Tre province's export. Therefore, this tree has important position in production and life. In addition, Ben Tre province also defines coconut tree in tourism as homeland's particular.

According to the statistich from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of  Ben Tre province, in 2019, Ben Tre welcomed 1,882,025 visitors, up 20% to the same period  in which  international visitors reached 796,186 bouts and domestic visitors reached 1,085,839 bouts. Especially, when they come to Ben Tre, all their activities relate to coconut trees.

The cool shade of coconut charms soul of visitors

"Eco Tourism in Coconut Land" is Ben Tre province's particular.  Green tourism from coconut trees not only helps visitors close to nature but also saves energy and protects the environment.

In Ben Tre, tourism in isles retain its pristine character. When visiting coconut land, visitors are always interested in participating in many activities such as: boat rowing on palm canals; drinking coconut juice; learning how to grow, take care of and harvest coconuts; sitting on horse carriage,…Moreover, visitors can visit the "Cho Noi Dua" on Thom River where has many enterprises producing products from coconuts.

Visiting the craft villages in coconut land, visitors will have the opportunity to try many famous products and many dishes from coconut such as: My Long rice paper cake, Son Doc glutinous rice cake, coconut candy, coconut cake, coconut salad with shrimp and meat, rice in coconut, roasted shrimp,…

Tourist  are trying peeling coconut

Since 2000, Ben Tre has organized 9 times of the provincial Coconut Festival and 5 times of the national Coconut One. These festivals have not been only an opportunities to honor the value and importance of coconut trees but also promote the tourism brand "Sinh Thai Song Nuoc Xu Dua" (Waterways ecotourism in coconut land).

Opening the 5th Coconut Festival in Ben Tre province

Traveling to coconut land in Ben Tre has two models: farm tourism with many outdoor activities for students and ecotourism for domestic and foreign tourists. In addition, this place also has cultural, sports, cuisine tourisms,…and have been associated with coconut trees which have brought visitors a lot of experiences and helped tourism in Ben Tre province more and more developing.

In order to promote the potential of coconut trees in tourism, practical solutions are needed to combine coconut ecotourism with craft village tourism and historical relics such as: Special national relic Dong Khoi Ben Tre (Mo Cay Nam district); Nguyen Dinh Chieu Monument and Memorial Area (Ba Tri district), ... From there, Ben Tre Tourism links with the eastern provinces of  Mekong Delta (Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, ...) to create more diverse and attractive tours.

Author: Bao Tram

Translator: Tuong Vi

Source: http://dulich.bentre.gov.vn

Ben Tre Tourism - New linked products

Travel people said that: "If you go alone, you can go fast, but when you want to go far, you should associate and cooperate with each other - group (G). Therefore, the link to build a specific tourism product in the tourist of the eastern provinces of the Mekong River Delta (Mekong Delta) including: Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh and Dong Thap, have been namely one of the main tasks that leaders of the six Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism has set out in the coordinating goal of linked group.

In the eastern tourist group of the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh are two provinces that have linked in the route of the coastal provinces of the East and West. Tra Vinh and Ben Tre have the same Co Chien peaceful river and many tourism potentials that will create unique products, nowhere else. If they are combined together a province, with a lot of tourists exploring and experiencing Coconut Land over the past decade, now cooperates, connects and extends to Tra Vinh province with a rich and unique Khmer culture that creates conditions for both provinces attract and keep tourists staying longer, and be the dominant platform in the group to develop tourism economy in the future.

Floating Coconut Market on Thom river (Photo: Ben Tre Que Toi)

"Waterway - Ecotourism of Coconut Land" wants to mention that Ben Tre province owns 04 large branches of the Mekong River, the green islets and vast coconut and fruit gardens green ornamental plants, traditional craft villages to identity the region. National Special Vestige The tomb and memorial relics of Vietnamese poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu and over 50 national and provincial are introduced to visitors together with kind and hospitable people, have created unique tourism products that few localities have.

Special national relic - Dong Khoi relic

The tourist destinations of Coconut Land have been formed and put into using to serve tourists such as Lan Vuong and Phu An Khang tourist areas in Ben Tre city; Lang Be tourist site and Bao Thach fruit gardens in Chau Thanh district; Culture and Tourism Village is famous for ornamental flowers - seedlings in Cho Lach district; salt - mash and eco-tourism area in Bung islet - Thanh Phu ... have been attracting many tourists. Tour programs of waterway - ecotourism in Coconut Land fascinate visitors on the coconut-lined rivers and village roads, coconut gardens to be interspersed with green grapefruit, fruit trees, craft villages and stayed at comfortable and peaceful homestays. Coming to Ben Tre, visitors also enjoy the coconut culinary culture with the coconut salad with shrimp, coconut rice and coconut fried shrimp which are recognized in 100 Vietnamese specialties. This is a favorable condition for Ben Tre to link and develop with other provinces in the tourist group, especially adjacent provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long or Tra Vinh to create new products to attract domestic and foreign tourists to longer in the province.

Tra Vinh is connected to Ben Tre via Co Chien Bridge and considered as one of the provinces with rich potentials for cultural and sea tourism, gardens and waterways and "sap" coconuts specialties especially exploring Khmer ethnic festivals and owning over 140 Khmer temples with unique architecture.

Tra Vinh tourism meets the needs of tourists when visitors experience the routes such as Ao - Om Cultural and Tourism Zone, Khmer Cultural Museum, Ang Pagoda, Hang Pagoda; have sightseeing at the orchards of Tan Quy islet, specialty "sap" coconut Cau Ke district and homestays of rustic and hospitable Khmer ethnic group or Ba Dong Sea, Truc Lam Pagoda, Duyen Hai Thermal Power Plant, Long Khanh Mangrove Forest, etc. In addition, Chim islet community tourism zone at in Chau Thanh district is gradually attracted visitors by local people to protect environment and farm under the model of "shrimp hugging rice plants"

Experience of making flat rice at Tra Vinh

From the rich nature of tourism resources of the two provinces, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Tourism Promotion Information Centers link existing products, tourist destinations with the same guidance and make bridges for the tourist companies of two provinces to build, design tours, specific inter-provincial route 2 days / 1 night, 3 days / 2 nights to attract tourists. This is one of the sightseeing programs that can be adjusted according to the quality of each group of travelers or each tour operator who cooperates to take guests:

Day 1: Picking the visitors up at Ben Tre city, departing for Mo Cay Nam, visiting Dong Khoi traditional House, learning about female military group and Dong Khoi movement in 1960. Enjoying coconut jam, fresh coconut juice, fruits. Rowing on water palm canals. Visiting Tuyet Phung coconut candy mill, experiencing coconut floating market - the place to exchange coconut production and process, coconut fiber on the banks of the Thom river. Overnight at Coco homestay in the coconut garden. For this tourist route, visitors can choose and expand to visit Cho Lach Cultural and Tourist Village (seedlings, ornamental flowers and many tropical fruits); or return to Thanh Phu mangrove forest (Con Bung beach, Ho Chi Minh sen rout relics, ancient house of Huynh Phu, Dai Dien commune ...).

Day 2: Departuring for Tra Vinh along Highway 60, passing Co Chien Bridge. Riding a bicycle or tuktuk around Ba Om Lake, Khmer Culture and Tourism Village Khmer Cultural Museum, Ang Pagoda, seeing traditional dances and music of Khmer people, craft villages (making hats, crowns or swat of glutinous rice). Integrating daily life and enjoying coconut. In addition, visitors can continue to visit the eco-tourism route of Tan Quy islet, coconut gardens in Cau Ke district and homestays with rustic and Khmer hospitable ethnic; or choose to experience ecotourism destination of Chim islet in Hoa Minh commune, Chau Thanh district.

In the similarity of Land and People between the two provinces of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh, the culture, tourist resources have many unique features that many provinces do not have. The link of tourism products of the two provinces has created new products which have been well received and signed by many travel companies. The solidarity and consensus among the four houses: The Government, the Travel Company, the tourist and the people doing tourism will increasingly promote the development of inter-provincial tourist cooperation and help an eastern tourist cluster in the Mekong Delta become an attractive destination for tourists today and tomorrow.

Author: Thanh Son

Translator: Phuong Thy

Source: http://dulich.bentre.gov.vn

Ben Tre Tourism: Coconut's a glimpse of the city

With a rich history of more than 100 years, Ben Tre city has witnessed many ups and downs through periods that have been close-knit to generations of Coconut Land. Today, Ben Tre city’s appearance has changed in the direction of modern civilization but it still retains its simple and rustic features. Ben Tre has become a safe, friendly and attractive tourist destination, especially for international tourists.

On February 13, 2019, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 174 to recognize Ben Tre city as a grade-II city belonging to Ben Tre province. This is a great joy for the Communist Party, local authoritiy and the people in the province, in general, and those in Ben Tre city in particular. It is the economic, cultural and social center of the province, located on the Bao island, including Giong Trom, Ba Tri and Ben Tre city with an area of 71.11 km².

According to statistics, the number of tourists visiting Ben Tre city is increasing and gradually gaining the affection of many domestic and foreign tourists from the its safety, the freshness of its landscape, the environment, enthusiasm, and the friendly and hospitable people of Coconut Land. In 2017, tourism in Ben Tre city attracted 323,750 visitors and the total revenue from tourists was nearly 264,250 billion VND; the number of passengers increased by 21% per year on average; average revenue increase of 25% / year compared to the same period last year. In 2019, the number of visitors to Ben Tre city reached 409,312 visitors and the total revenue from tourists was nearly 334 billion. This has been very impressive figure and shown that the tourism potential in Ben Tre city is plentifu.

The 3-star Viet - Uc Hotel in Ben Tre (Photo: XTDLBT)

Currently, Ben Tre city has more than 30 accommodation establishments, including one, 04-star hotel (Coconut hotel - Ben Tre Riverside Resort), two, 03-star hotels (Ham Luong, Viet - Uc hotel); three, 01-star hotels (Dai An, Sao Mai and Oasis Kiwi hotel) and many homestays with close and harmonious style (Muoi No, Ba Danh, Duyen Que, Nguyet Que, ...) They make up 1/3 of total number of accommodation establishments in the whole province of Ben Tre today.

At the same time, Ben Tre city is also promoting the development of a ecotourism in the land of Coconut with many interesting experience activities such as boating, fish catching, ... Typically, the famous tourist destinations such as Lan Vuong, Phu An Khang, Ha Thao, Vuon Xanh, ... have attracted a lot of tourists. 

Currently, Tourists from Europe and North America always choose Ben Tre city in particular and Ben Tre province in general as a safe and quality destination in their travel itineraries tour to be known as “The ecoutourism of Coconut Land” 

Slapping ditches for fishing (Photo: PAK)

Traveling to Ben Tre city, besides the ecotourism, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience many other types such as spiritual tourism through sightseeing and worshiping at temples with long standing history (Vien Minh pagoda, Vien Giac pagoda, Bach Van pagoda, Phu Tu temple and ancient white apricot tree (recognized as a national heritage tree). 

Tourists can visit traditional craft villages (mat weaving, coconut candy processing village, coconut handicraft, etc.) and visit cultural and historical architectural works (Dong Khoi monument, Tran Van On monument, Ben Tre museum - relics and residence of the hero of the Revolutionary armed forces Colonel Pham Ngoc Thao (national monument), victory monument on the Ben Tre river at Hoang Lam park, ... 

Truc Giang Lake (Photo: Collection)

Tourism of Ben Tre city also attracts visitors through wonderful dishes. Visitors can easily enjoy delicacies such as cooking rice in coconut, roested shrimp with coconut milk, fried elephant - ear, fish hotpot, ... at many local of restaurants. Especially coconut sprout salad and cooking rice in coconut with roasted shrimp with coconut milk are 02 of the top 100 delicious dishes in Vietnam. 

In addition, domestic and foreign tourists can buy a lot of specialties here as gifts for family and friends such as green skin pomelo - a fruit that has been granted by the national office of intellectual property of Vietnam since 2005. Ben Tre green skin pomelo and green siam coconuts have also been granted the certificate of geographical indications by the national office of intellectual property since 2018. Coconut cakes, coconut candy, cosmetics from coconut, handicrafts made of coconut of Ben Tre are sold at many markets or tourist stops. Currently, the situation of covid-19 epidemic has seriously affected many sectors of the economy including tourism. In Ben Tre city - in particular and Ben Tre province - in general, hotels, resorts, tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, ...always actively implement many measures to prevent and control epidemic to ensure safety for locals and visitors. According to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre, Mr. Truong Quoc Phong, “All the natural features as well as the strict epidemic prevention solutions of our country are the basis for proving Vietnamese tourism, including Ben Tre” is a safe destination for visitors. Ben Tre with the featured products of eco-tourism and association with organic agriculture is a reliable choice of travelers. The tourism industry together with tourism business, join together in implementing safe epidemic prevention solutions and stimulus solutions to create trust for tourists."

Therefore, the tourist destinations and businesses in Ben Tre have simultaneously implemented many programs to stimulate and promote, tourism, ... Hope, tourism in Ben Tre city in particular and province in general will grow more and more after the epidemic season because it is always a safe and quality destination for domestic and foreign tourists./.

Author: Tuong Vi

Translator: Phuong Thy

Coconut floating market: A beautiful tourist destination on the Thom River

The Thom River is a historic river that has been embedded in the memory of many generations of people in Ben Tre. From a small canal, the Thom River today has gradually changed its look with the busy trading scene of coconut products on the river; the two riversides are villages processing coconut fiber stretching over 3 km. Since then, the Coconut floating market on the Thom River is like a unique tourism brand of Ben Tre that is different from any other floating markets in the Mekong Delta provinces and the whole country. The operation of the Coconut floating market helps local people develop not only the economy and trade but also the field of tourism.

During the French colonial period, the French dug Thom canal in Mo Cay district to connect the Ham Luong river with Co Chien river for colonial exploitation. In the two wars of resistance to liberate the people from oppressive foreign reign, the Thom River was a place which marked many victories of our army and people, also attached to the childhood of many generations of people in this Land of Coconuts.

Coconut Floating market on Thom River (image from public source)

For a long time, the Coconut floating market on the Thom River has been dubbed it a unique floating market of the West because of its main products such as coconut and other products from coconut. Floating markets are a cultural beauty in the Southwestern region because it is the gift of nature with a system of rivers and canals, so the scene of trading and exchanging goods often takes place on the boat and thrills tourists to enjoy and want to experience it. If Can Tho city has Cai Rang floating market, Tien Giang has Cai Be floating market, Hau Giang used to have Nga Bay floating market, An Giang has Long Xuyen floating market... then Ben Tre has its Coconut floating market on Thom river as a pride of the people of Mo Cay Nam in particular and of Ben Tre in general.

The Coconut floating market originates from the Thom river connecting the Co Chien and Ham Luong rivers, which is the central waterway of Cu Lao Minh coconut forest. Many coconut processing enterprises have been built with a lot of buyers and sellers exchanging and trading, the area has gradually became what is now known as "the floating Coconut market". Every day, there are hundreds of boats from both inside and outside the province (Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, and neighboring districts in the province) flocking there to buy and sell coconuts. Visitors will have the opportunity to see for themselves: the workers work from early in the morning to the evening doing familiar jobs such as peeling coconut, making coconut meat, separating and drying coconut fiber... Thereby, visitors can empathize with the hard work in the lives of the people here, with the joy and smiles that are always radiant on their faces. It is because coconut, which is the typical tree of the homeland, has been attached to generations so the works which related to planting, exploiting and processing coconut in Ben Tre have always been a beautiful characteristic that needs to be preserved and promoted.

Currently, on the two banks of the Thom River, there are many establishments operating overnight to promptly supply goods to businesses in the province in order to make various unique products from coconut such as dried powder coconut, coconut fiber, coconut charcoal, clean coconut soil, coconut oil, coconut candy, coconut fiber nets, coconut handicraft products... Notably, craft villages along the Thom River in An Thanh commune, Mo Cay Nam district, Khanh Thanh commune Tan, Mo Cay Bac district... have created jobs for thousands of workers, helped local people to settle down and be a part of this unique tourism brand in Ben Tre.

The tourism industry will become a key economic sector of Ben Tre province in the future, be characterized by thousands of coconut forests, lush orchards, and many tourist products from this Land of Coconuts. The brand of "Land of Coconuts’ River Ecotourism" has been promoted more and more recently. Capturing the potential and beauty in tourism at the Coconut floating market on the Thom river, in recent years, many travels and tour companies have included this product in tours and routes to offer tourists visiting the Coconut floating market, combined with many other tourism products of Ben Tre and other provinces in Viet Nam.

From Ben Tre city, visitors can walk to the town of Mo Cay Nam and take boat, along the Thom River or travel from the piers in the center of Ben Tre city to Ham Luong River, connecting to the Thom river. Currently, Ben Tre has many ecotour programs for visitors to freely explore this floating market from tourist agencies in Ben Tre.

Tourist visitors visit the Thome River by boat (image from C2T tourism)

When experiencing this river in the Land of Coconuts, visitors will be seated on a boat and listened to information from the tourist guide and enjoyed the poetic scenery of the rows of coconut trees on the banks of the Thom River. After that, the tour guide will take tourists to visit craft villages so that they can learn about the work of the local people such as peeling coconut, making coconut meat, making coconut candy... and take souvenir photos. Next, visitors will move to Thanh Long island to visit the extremely sacred Thuy Tuong temple and dine at local’s houses with many rustic dishes such as sour snakehead fish soup, coconut fried shrimp, chicken porridge. In addition, this 1-day journey also takes visitors to Ben Tre special national historical sites, Dong Khoi Movement to study about the historic years of heroic resistance war in the Dong Khoi movement in 1960 in Mo Cay Nam district...

Having experienced many ups and downs of history, the Thom River that has become a legendary river and the Coconut floating market on it always brings an extremely simple, rustic cultural beauty and is one of the hidden charms with a lot of potential for the tourism industry in the Land of Coconuts. Hopefully, in the near future, tours, trips, and experiences in Ben Tre will be increasingly promoted so that domestic and foreign tourists and they have the opportunity to experience interesting and unique activities at the Coconut floating market on the Thom river./.

Author: Tường Vi

Translator: Phương Thy

Companion in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention

Tourism is a synthetic economic sector and it seems vulnerable whenever disease or natural disaster happens. Therefore, in the situation of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complicated occurring, Ben Tre tourism is trying to inform tourists about some Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) methods to prevent to minimize infected ability, to help them protecting themselves, their family as well as our community.

A lack of tourists in a souvenirs display during COVID-19

According to VNExpress.net, until 13/02/2020, there have been 60161 cases of infection all over the world, including 8243 cases in critical condition and 1365 people in death because of this disease. 27 countries and territories have confirmed having cases of infection. Vietnam has confirmed 15 cases of infection in Vinh Phuc province (10 cases), Thanh Hoa province (1 case), Khanh Hoa province (1 case) and in Ho Chi Minh city (3 cases), but especially China - the biggest tourism market of Vietnam (Northern and North Central of Vietnam) is the outbreak country and currently in the process of spreading most seriously and dangerously.

Concerning Ben Tre, we have not had any cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 ) infection yet. However, the most important mission is to prevent and deal with the danger of the COVID-19 penetration in our province because it has been affected gradually our economy - especially tourism, agriculture,… and also our worried mind because of the complications occurring in many provinces and countries all over the world.

With the aim of propagating and preventing the danger of the COVID-19 penetration, following the government’s instruction (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ben Tre Province People’s committee), Ben Tre Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has promulgated two documents, consist of:

1. Official correspondence number 206/SVHTTDL-QLDL published on February 5th, 2020 about the urgent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID - 19) prevention.

2. Official correspondence number 210/SVHTTDL-QLVH published on February 5th, 2020 about using the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID - 19) prevention measures.

According to these documents, Ben Tre tourism information promotion center accompanied with tourist businesses to survey and consult a lot of methods about the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention campaign, as follows:

- For the domestic traveler: Domestic tourist agencies must not organize tour, journey to any Coronavirus disease 2019 infected area (26 infected countries all over the world and 4 infected provinces in Vietnam). During the itinerary, help tourists avoid crowds by not taking them to pagodas, festivals,…. Instead, we encourage tourists to have sightseeing tours to mountains, scenic spots and any kind of ecotourism. Check and update the newest information about tourists’ health to have measures to prevent, isolate and report follow the local health authorities…

Tourists are going to travel by boat in Ben Tre

- Concerning traveler in Ben Tre: Both international tourists and inbound tourists who follow a contract between a travel agency inside our province and a travel agency outside our province as well as private tourists also obey all the listed instruction. But pay attention that we do not accept anybody who has gone to infected area. Ben Tre ecotourism is a safe destination and still opens as normal. 

- Concerning all the tour administrators, operators and staffs: obey all the leaders’ instructions. Do up all the tourist accommodations regularly to destroy all the virus. Remind your colleagues and your tourist accurate information about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to avoid their worried mind. Raise your alert in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention. Do not ignore obeying the instructions for sake of money. 

During the itinerary, remember to remind tourist that they have to provide all the information about their journey and where they had gone whether they have a health problem or not. Cooperate with local health authorities providing information for disease surveillance. Use medical masks correctly and avoid being in the crowds. Do personal hygiene regularly, wash your hands by hand wash correctly, gargle by mouthwash. Do not spit higgledy-piggledy. When you cough, remember to cover your mouth and nose by tissue papers or handkerchief. Put used tissue papers in the wasted basket then wash your hands by hand wash or alcoholic solutions. Avoid contacting people who have temperature, cough, flu,…. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Only eat cooked food. Do not contact any wild animals or pets. Keep checking your health state continuously for 14 days after having contact infected people or living in the infected area (During this time, always wear medical masks and avoid being in crowds…)

Hoping with the consensus of Vietnam tourism, especially Ben Tre tourism, we will soon destroy the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and minimize the economic loss for our country. And we also hope that there won’t be any cases of COVID-19 infection and Ben Tre tourism will develop steadily with the feature: “Ben Tre ecotourism with the criteria: “safety - friendly - quality.” 

Writer: Thanh Son

Translator: Minh Thuy

Wonder of nature: snails wash ashore for kilometers in Ben Tre coast

A seashore in Ben Tre where horn snails wash up in their millions between October and April each year. Photo by VnExpress/Khuong Nha

Millions of horn snails drift ashore to Chay Muoi islet in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre for six months every year.

Paddling through the Yen Hao Canal to this place in Thoi Thuan Commune, Binh Dai District, you will find a beach seven kilometers long filled with these snails.

From October to April the wind blows from the northeast, bringing these creatures to shore, according to locals. "This shore is the only place that has this huge quantity of snails. Every year the snails washing ashore build a natural wall to protect our fields," Le Van Phuoc, a local, said.

When local people discovered that the snails stack up a meter high and five meters wide for seven kilometers, they began to do what humans do everywhere. They would wait for the tide to recede and collect the snails to sell.

Usually they get around $0.2 for a kilogram though occasionally the price could go up to $0.5. Locals can earn up to $10 a day.

You can get to Chay Muoi either by boat or motorbike.

According to local, this horn snails shore is still primitive though it's receiving increasing attention from tourists.

Ben Tre Province, situated around 86 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh city, is not only famous for its orchard tourism but also for relics like Huynh Phu ancient house, Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail, Van Phuoc Pagoda, and craft villages.

Author: Khuong Nha

Source: https://e.vnexpress.net

Thanh Phu tourism on the development road

About 50km from Ben Tre city, Thanh Phu is the coastal district of Ben Tre province. If you go more 20 km from the district center, you will reach Con Bung. It has not only traditional values of history - culture, nature with bold beauty, but also of craft villages, good people, all of which have created Thanh Phu potentials and opportunities for tourism development.

Determining the potential and strength of Thanh Phu in tourism development, the district is calling for investment, promoting tourism in the area. In recent years, Thanh Phu has promoted tourism, proposed many solutions for developing tourism solutions. To 2020, the tourism industry has basically become a key economic sector, creating a driving force for social - economic development.

Tourism products of the district have been increasingly invested and developed, the quality of tourism services has been improved to meet the tastes of tourists such as: eco-tourism, marine tourism, cultural-tourism research tourism. history, community tourism, traditional trade tourism, and tourism about researching history and culture, etc. In addition, Thanh Phu has an extremely attractive marine ecosystem with fresh seafood, creating a special attraction for tourism of the district as well as the province. The material and technical facilities are currently developing in terms of quality and quantity, accommodation facilities have been invested and built to serve the needs of tourists; As on December 2018, 6 accommodations were established with more than 88 rooms serving tourists, Con Bung currently has 13 households dealing in catering services.

Traveling to Con Bung - Thanh Phu beach (Photo: P.VHTT)

In Thanh Phu district, there are currently many invested projects with capital up to hundreds of billion dong. The project of preserving, embellishing and promoting the values of Ho Chi Minh historical relics on the sea in Thanh Phong and Thanh Hai communes with a total investment of VND 1,500 billion, in the first phase more than VND 80 billion and currently is now in phase II. Embellishment of a monument at the pbridgehead receiving North-South weapons in Thanh Phong commune is invested 500 million VND. In addition, the district has upgraded the asphalt road 57 from Cau Van (Giao Thanh commune) to Con Chim junction (Thanh Phong commune) and put the road from Ho Co Cemetery to Con Bung commune (commune) in use. Thanh Hải), Cau Van's bridge connects the upper communes of the district with three coastal communes to satisfy of the local people and tourists visiting the Con Bung beach.

However, Thanh Phu tourism also faces with many challenges, difficulties and major limitations. Up to this time, the district does not have entertainment facilities to meet the needs of visitors. Infrastructure is not synchronized. Tourism products are not diverse, attractive and duplicated. Con Bung tourism activities only focus on coastal and inland areas, unexploited sea space with existing potentials. The accommodation facilities are mostly small in scale, unable to meet the high demands of tourists.

Human resources do not meet the current development needs. The progress of projects is still slow, infrastructure is still poor due to lack of investment capital, ...

Nghinh Ong festival in Thanh Hai commune, Thanh Phu district (Photo: P.VHTT)

Therefore, the district needs to focus on promoting propaganda, calling for investment, building tourism products, creating specific characteristics so that they do not overlap elsewhere, and well exploit the traditional cultural and artistic values to make distinctive product through festivals: Nghinh Ong Festival, visiting Ba Chua Xu Temple ...

Linking with local people to develop, looking for consensus, raise tourism awareness, create jobs for people, build an image of Ben Tre people who have been always friendly and hospitable are advantages to get back to visitors. At the same time, educating the environment protecting marine resources in the context of climate change affecting tourism for local people in the locality are also needed.

Ben Tre needs to promote the exploitation of marine tourism potential, the space between the mainland and the sea. Calling for investment good policies to encourage investors inside and outside the province to build restaurants, hotels, amusement parks and resorts near the sea to serve tourists' needs, as well as extend the length of stay. Implementing well the promotion through the application of advanced technology, taking advantage of the 4th industrial revolution, exploiting the local cultural identity in promoting the image of land and people of Ben Tre.

District Government should strengthen tourism cooperation with neighboring localities to create inter-district tours such as Cho Lach - Mo Cay Nam - Thanh Phu, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Mo Cay Bac, Thanh Phu, cultural spiritual tours in the district ... or linking tours with neighboring provinces: Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, ... In particular, each locality has its own specific tourism product so that it will not be duplicated and bored.

Thanh Phu is a district with outstanding tourism potentials. If you know how to develop and invest in the right direction, Thanh Phu will be an attractive destination to attract tourists every time you visit Ben Tre./.

Author: Bảo Trâm

Translator: Phương Thy

Ben Tre Homestay - Orientation and Development

Nowaday, there are many types of travel which are formed by the increasing demand of travelers. Homestay is becoming the trend of many places all over the country. Tourists want to experience the life of the local people and enjoy the natural invironment. It is the desire of many tourists when they check in homestay.

Speciality of Homestay in Ben Tre 

In the Mekong delta, homestay is being viewed and used by many travelers. Homestay is thriving in Ben Tre and focus in Ben Tre city, Mo Cay Bac, Cho Lach, Giong Trom. However, because of spontaneity it should not create general definition and lack of sustainbility.

In Ben Tre, there are more 30 homestays which can accommodate over 300 guests. Some of them have equipment full and good facilities, for example: Coco -Homestay, Jardin du Mekong Homestay, Mekong-home, Mai Homestay, Duyen Que Homestay, Mango Cruises... The homestays in the southern Ben Tre city also have the potential in the tourist trend nowaday. 

These destinations are impressive and attracted tourists to experience and explore the countryside when they come to Ben Tre. This serevice helps improving the lives of the people; protecting heritages, ecological environment and making sustainable tourist development.

Homestay at Tan Thanh Binh - Mo Cay Bac

Direction of management, construction and exploitation homestay

Nowaday, the experiential tourism has the potential to develop but not yet developed spontaneously in Ben Tre. People have build a lot of homestay but up to now they have not yet conformed to the standard. The hosts and their staff have not trained about foreign language and skill of communitcation with the tourists. Maybe, we donot have specific development strategies. Therefore, the direction, management, guidance are seen to be very important.

Homestay Hoa Dừa - Nhơn Thạnh - Bến Tre City

Besides, the spontaneous development of homestay will make the insecurity and environmental pollution. Therefore, in order to develop homestay in the right direction, the authority needs to avoid negative happens.

Implementation of resolution no.08-NQ/TW - 16/01/2017 of the politburo about the tourist development becoming the spearhead economic industry; Plan no. 4573/KH-UBND - 09/10/2017 of Ben Tre Provincial People’s Committees about implementation the action program no.22-CTr/TU - 20/07/2017 of the standing Committee; The Department of culture, sports and tourism has directed the tourist information and promotion Center to set up project for the development of this tourism towards sustainability.

One year of experiment, Grassroots science project on "Building community tourism model with new type of homestay in Ben Tre" with new standards - Asian standards of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism - to develop uniform and efficient tourism. The project has been carried out about the content and methodology which is expected to start making on 7/2018 - after being approved by the province people’s Committee. Specifically: The homestays are designed with natural materials (by coconut trees and some kinds of materials closed environment), using information technology to promote travel products, training on Community tourism knowledge, communication, behave skills with guests and conserving social-environment, connecting and exploiting complementary services about biking, destinations, traditional villages and the potential of tourism in the locality to attract tourists and keep long-term visitors.

Tourism is a general economic sector, helps international integration, promotes economic development, creates many jobs and exchanges the culture between regions together. Because of diverse activities, Ben Tre authority must cooperate closely, synchronize and implement the project on "Building community tourist model with new type of homestay in Ben Tre" to make new tourist  products which can appy in replication on many region of the country./.

Source: Ben Tre Tourism Information Promotion Center 

Thua Duc and Thoi Thuan sea tourism - The beauty of the sea

If you have the opportunity to return to Binh Dai, visit long sandy beaches of Thua Duc and Thoi Thuan Commune - Binh Dai district. Thua Duc and Thoi Thuan Beaches are far from Ben Tre City over 60 km of road. It attracts tourists from its wild beauty, with the stretch of fine sandy beach together with the dark green poplar swinging in the wind along the beach, the sound of the waves whispering to harmonize with the whisper of the poplar rows creating a unique sound as a piece of music performed to captivate the people’s heart. All will make visitors forget the hustle of everyday life, to spread their hearts along with the sea, with the wind.

(Source: Internet)

From Ben Tre City, only 60 minutes away by car, travelers come to Phu Sa Sea, Tourists, not only swim in the sea and watch beautiful scenery of the sea but also enjoy seafood specialties such as: Clam, shrimp, crab, oysters, … and especially the pancakes (Vietnamese pizza) at the sea location.

Huynh Tan Phat Memorial

Architect Huynh Tan Phat (1913-1989) is great-grandchild of Huynh Van Thieu and born at Chau Hung, Binh Dai, Ben Tre Province. He was high ranking official of Vietnam Communist Party. In the past, he held office as Former Chairman of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, former Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Socialist Vietnam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Commission Central Vietnam Fatherland Front. He was awarded the State Party and the Medal of Ho Chi Minh, the Medal of the Resistance class. Therefore, when he died, the villagers was built memorial near Tan Hung Communal house to educate the young generation. The photos, documents, artifacts which related to his revolutionary activities were solemnly exhibited here.

Photo: Ben Tre museum

Tan Hung Communal house and Huynh Van Thieu tomb

Tan Hung Communal house located in Chau Hung, Binh Dai (25km from Ben Tre city). With an area 2,100m², The house was built in 1905 and worship Mr. Huynh Van Thieu as village tutelary genie. He gathered villagers and followed the movement of general Truong Dinh to fight French colonialists. During the war, Tan Hung Communal house is the place where revolutionary soldiers gathered and learnt the guidelines and policies of the communist Party. Tan Hung Communal house was recognized as provincial historic culture relic by Decision 1698/QD-UB on April 12th, 2001.

Nam Thanh Eco-Tourism

This is an eco-tourist destination, with extensive, cool orchards, and the main house is an ancient one. In the fruit plantations are kinds of fruit in Southern area, serving tourist all year round.

From Rach Mieu bridge, down to Tan Thach village, only a few kilometers appeared Nam Thanh tourist site is coming to Nam Thanh destination, visitors not only have lunch, with specialties: Bushily fried fish, grilled prawns, spring rolls, chicken soup, but also eat seasonal fruit: plums, star-apples right the garden and many other fruits. Taking a nap on the hammock swinging side to side, tourists will have comfortable, refreshing feeling rolling with the cool breeze. The tourist Attraction is a stop for the hundreds of visitors every day, as well as the place tourists have a look at honey-bee in the captive tanks and do not hesitate to ship honey mixed with almond juice at the feeding place, both fairly sweet and nutritious.

Address: Hamlet 1, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province

Telephone: (84-275) 3.860.634

Destinations in Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province

Que Dua - Choppy waves on the river

Address: Hamlet 3 - Tan Thach Commune (Chau Thanh District)

Tel: 0918.948.383, 0986.832.543 - (84-275) 3.860.403

Que Dua has various types of service for tourists, such as: eating fruits, drinking honey, listening to amateurish traditional music, rowing boat or sitting on the carriage carrying tourists around the routes in the district, watching the ditches along the green garden, straight orchard banks. That’s interesting.

Tan Phu Ecotourist Destination

Address: Hamlet 1, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province

Tel: (84-275) 3860554

The services offered by Tan Phu ecotourism are very rich as: authentic dishes of rural Southern part refreshments, scooping ditch for fishing, bicycle for rent for tourists to go sight seeing. For Homestay service, guests will participate in catching fireflies at night. It’s very interesting and excellent. In addition, the site will organize to wrap rice cake at night for tourists (if any) to feel peaceful and authentic life of people of the Southern part.

Thao Nhi Tourist

Coming to Ben Tre, visitors should come to Thao Nhi tourism to explore the many unique features of waterway ecotourism, the charm of natural landscape with lush green orchards, the cruise on the Tien River to explore the waterway at night, watching the fireflies from rowing boat along the small canal. Thao Nhi tourist has motorcycle tour for sightseeing in the Mekong delta provinces.

Location: Hamlet 1, Tan Thach Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province

Tel: (84-275) 3.860.009 – 0903.343.452 (Cao Van Hoan)

Phong Phu Tourist site

Chau Thanh District - Ben Tre Province is known for its tourist attractions to visitors from near and far to visit and relax, with a variety of services, travelers can agree with life of the people here. Phong Phu Tourist site, is located at the address: 54/A, Hamlet 3, Tan Thach Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province. Only 14 km away from Phong Phu tourist site, its tourist products are preferred by many visitors as: ovens to produce coconut candy with the traditional method for visitors to learn; Phong Phu Homestay service is also a highlight. Tourists stay the night here to experience the feeling of how to stay in the garden overnight, with the quantity of 13 rooms and the service from 20 - 30 at the same time, you’ll be pleased to be here.
Tel: 0908.818.663 (Mr. Ly Tan Phat)

Phong Phu II Tourism (Ben Truc Tourism)

Located at the address: No. 17/3 Hamlet 3, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province, for reservation and information you can contact the phone number: (84-275) 3.860.403
With characteristic of ecotourist, Ben Truc Tourist will prepare for visitors to enjoy delicious hot cups of honey tea and platter of a variety of fresh fruit picked from the garden, at the same time, tourists will be listening to traditional music amateurs, performing folk songs, dance, new and old exchanges, ... with the singing voice of the hick country girls and the delicate boys in a very mellow and deep voice.
Next, visitors are taken down sitting in the sampam for th rower to tour through the canals of green coconut gardens and orchards. Or clop-clop of the carriage to enjoy the feeling of the peaceful village of Ben Tre.

Nam Thanh Eco-Tourism

This is an eco-tourist destination, with extensive, cool orchards, and the main house is an ancient one. In the fruit plantations are kinds of fruit in Southern area, serving tourist all year round.

From Rach Mieu bridge, down to Tan Thach village, only a few kilometers appeared Nam Thanh tourist site is coming to Nam Thanh destination, visitors not only have lunch, with specialties: Bushily fried fish, grilled prawns, spring rolls, chicken soup, but also eat seasonal fruit: plums, star-apples right the garden and many other fruits. Taking a nap on the hammock swinging side to side, tourists will have comfortable, refreshing feeling rolling with the cool breeze. The tourist Attraction is a stop for the hundreds of visitors every day, as well as the place tourists have a look at honey-bee in the captive tanks and do not hesitate to ship honey mixed with almond juice at the feeding place, both fairly sweet and nutritious.

Address: Hamlet 1, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province

Telephone: (84-275) 3.860.634

Quoi An Destination

As not to overlap with the type of eco-tourism in the region, Quoi An distinctions are coconut houses built of all the building materials of coconut trees, columns, rafters, beams, walls, doors etc.
Coming to Quoi An you will feel the gentle strokes of Southern village, the folk, traditional music and amateurish song … the sweet cup of honey inside the eye-catching contingent, and fresh fruit dishes.
Coming to Quoi An today is not only convenient by boat but also by car. Someone who was once at Quoi An would not forget the feeling exciting when taking horse cart on the path, go shopping handicraft items from coconut - a specialty of the coconut Ben Tre, buying as a gift after trip to visit relatives living along the river.
Address: Hamlet 3, Tan Thach commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Telephone: (84-275) 3.860.403 - 0986.832.543

Homestay Phu Tuc

Phu Tuc tourist destination has services like: Overnight stay, cycling tours, food and drinks, listening to amateurish traditional music… After resting comfortably to regain health, visitors can rife a bike up to the market to visit the surroundings and everyday life of the people hear. Then, tourists return to join the staff with the cuisine at Phu Tuc tourist destination, particularly the tourist destination of Phu Tuc has powdered fried banana and spring rolls which are specialties of the place. If visitors feel tired after a long trip, there will be a relaxing foot massage service for visitor.

To be instructed on whole-hearted tour and the hospitality of the people here, you can contact here for counseling services with very hospitable owner Phan Thi Hoang Lan, telephone: 0918.775.727 - (84-275) 3.860927

Located at: No. 144A, Phu Thanh hamlet, Phu Tuc commune, Chau Thanh district

Chau Thanh Cocoa Garden

Just crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, visitors run into the coconut groves along National Road 60 (An Khanh commune, Chau Thanh District). These fresh green coconut gardens have two floors, the upper one is the top of tree connected together and the lower is cocoa trees blooming and giving fruit. In Chau Thanh district area, most of the district villages develop cocoa intercropped in the coconut garden.

Cocoa garden Nguyen Van Lap (An Phu Hamlet, An Khanh Commune) has an area of 7,000m², giving stable harvest of 10 tons/year. His fruit harvest has been finished, he made fermentation of brewing process of cocoa beans to sell to local stores. Cocoa prices change from 4,500 - 4,800 VND/kg of fruit, cocoa surpasses the coconut trees. Currently, the province of Ben Tre has over 9,000 hectares of cocoa intercropped in the coconut garden.

Address: Quarter1, Chau Thanh town, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province

Telephone: Cacao purchasinh station ARMAJARO Co., Ltd in An Khanh: 0918.820.697

Qui Islet - Tu Bi Ecotourist Destination

Address: Hamlet 2, Quoi Son commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province
Telephone: (84-275) 2.214.872 (Mrs. Thuy)
This is an islet of 40 hectares of land located on the Tien Giang River belonging to two communes Tan Thach and Quoi Son, Chau Thanh district. Away from Ben Tre city center 15km of the river, and 13km of road. On the islet is vast green orchards, lush, laden with fruits. Hear visitors enjoy ripe fruits as: sapodilla, longa, pomelo, .... It also maintains pristine natural features. Going by boat on the river around the islet is interesting to look at the beauty of the grow of green water growing along the bank to hold the alluvial soil.

In addition, tourists enjoy the delicious food at the tourist attractions on the islet. Spacing airy space, the eating-houses built of bamboo and leaf but full of facilities with the local cuisine characterized homeland such as: belly-fish sour soup of cork fruit with spinach, pink fish steamed with pumpkin flower, tilapia, mudfish, snakehead cooked in the bowl. Tourists can both taste freshly picked fruit, sip honey tea, and listen to folk music melodiously.