Mekong Delta Ben Tre: River Boat, Coconut Workshop & Xe Loi Ride

Summary

Ben Tre’s coconut groves, riverside lunch and village life in the Mekong Delta

You’ll feel the slow rhythm of Ben Tre on this Mekong Delta day trip—boat rides along peaceful canals, tasting fresh coconut at a local workshop, cycling or xe loi rides under swaying palms, and sharing lunch by the river with new friends. It’s less about sightseeing and more about soaking up small moments you’ll carry home.

What’s the experience like?

The morning didn’t exactly go as planned—I forgot my hat in the hotel lobby and only realized once we were halfway to Ben Tre. Our guide, Hien, just grinned and handed me a spare. The drive out of Ho Chi Minh City felt like slipping into another world: motorbikes fading behind us, rice paddies opening up under a hazy sun. By the time we reached the Mekong River for our boat trip, the air was thick with that sweet green smell you only get near water. I remember thinking, “So this is what quiet sounds like.”

We drifted past floating markets and stopped at a coconut processing workshop—honestly, I never knew there were so many ways to use a coconut. The women working there laughed when I tried to say “dua” (coconut) in Vietnamese; pretty sure I mangled it. There was this moment where Hien cracked open a fresh one for us—cold juice running down my fingers—and it tasted nothing like the ones back home. After that, we wandered through a tiny village where chickens darted between our feet and an old man weaving mats waved us over to watch. I got roped into trying it myself; let’s just say weaving is harder than it looks.

Lunch came at a riverside spot shaded by palms—the kind of place where you lose track of time because everyone’s just talking and eating slowly. We had fish wrapped in leaves and fruit so sweet it almost didn’t taste real. Later, we hopped onto these xe loi tuk-tuks (I’d never even heard of them before), rattling along paths lined with endless rows of coconut trees. The breeze finally picked up and I could hear kids laughing somewhere behind the hedges. We finished with a sampan ride down narrow canals—just quiet water, tangled roots, and sunlight flickering through leaves. It stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ben Tre and Mekong Delta

• Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
• Boat trip to local market
• Visit coconut processing workshop
• See local mat-weaving house
• Walk in quiet Delta village
• Enjoy local fresh fruits
• Take Xe Loi or cycling tour
• Have lunch at riverside restaurant
• Row sampan along coconut canals

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the Ben Tre Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, pickup from hotels in Ho Chi Minh City Districts 1 and 3 is included.

How long does the Ben Tre day trip from Ho Chi Minh City take?

The tour lasts approximately one full day with pickup starting around 7AM.

What activities are included in the Ben Tre Mekong Delta tour?

You’ll enjoy a boat trip on the river, visit a coconut processing workshop and mat-weaving house, walk through a village, taste fresh fruit, ride a xe loi or cycle around coconut groves, have lunch by the river, and take a sampan ride along canals.

Is lunch provided on this Mekong Delta day trip?

Yes, lunch at a riverside restaurant is included.

Are there options for cycling during the tour?

Yes, you can choose between cycling or riding in a xe loi (tuk-tuk style vehicle) to explore around the village.

What should I bring on the Ben Tre tour?

A hat or sun protection is recommended due to outdoor activities; bottled water is provided.

Is this Ben Tre tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Will there be an English-speaking guide on this Mekong Delta tour?

Yes, an English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Ho Chi Minh City districts, transportation by boat and xe loi or bicycle as described in the program, an English-speaking guide who shares local stories along the way, fresh fruits to sample during your stops, bottled mineral water for each guest—and lunch at a riverside restaurant before heading back in the afternoon.