Ben Tre, MekongDelta, Vietnam

Capital city: Ben Tre

Area (sq km): 2,287

Population: 1,308,200

Average temp: 26 - 27°C

Ethnic data: Viet/Kinh, Cham, Khmer, Thai.

Districts/wards: Binh Dai, Ba Tri, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Giong Trom, Mo Cay, Thanh Phu.

Description:

Ben Tre Province geography is a plain of 1.25 metres above sea level combined with a 65 kilometres coastline and riddled with tributaries of the Mekong Delta. This makes it susceptible to flooding. It is bordered on the north by Tien Giang; on the southwest by Tra Vinh and Vinh Long; and the southeast by the South China Sea.

Four rivers dissect the province: Ba Lai, Co Chien, Ham Luong and Tien Giang.

Economy:

Agriculture, fishery, food processing industries, fruit.

Natural beauty sights:

AVOID CON PHUNG (aka Coconut Monk complex on Phoenix Island), That said, for your education, Con Phung is located in Tan Thach Village of the Chau Thanh District, near the Rach Mieu Ferry between My Tho and Ben Tre on Highway No. 60.

It is situated on an island emerging from the middle of the Tien River, and has an area of 28 hectares. Visitors can see original architectural works of the site of the holy land of the Coconut Religion.

In Con Phung there is also a handicraft village producing furniture with materials taken from the coconut tree, and families raising bees for honey from the longan flower. The product is sold on the spot to visitors. Again, AVOID the complex - it is a fraud - on your pocket.

Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary

The locals make much of the stocks that nest at the local bird sanctuary, San Chim Vam Ho. It would be interesting to see a community of birds and stocks including 84 species like pelicans, cattle ergets, night herons and gray cranes.

Distance: 34km/40km from Bentre city town by road / waterway

Access: 1hr / 2hr by road / waterway

Tour: Optional

Combination: Optional

Tan Vinh Islet.

Ecological travel:

Cai Mon Fruit Tree Garden is located on the bank of the Tien River in the village of Tien Thuy in the Chau Thanh District.

It is considered the cradle of fruit trees in South Vietnam, with fruit ready for visitors in any season. Cai Mon’s professional village annually supplies millions of products, such as durians, mangosteens, mangoes and longans.

There are also artists who use grafting techniques to create fantastic ornamental plants is the shapes of deer, dragons or phoenixes.

Historic sights:

Phu Le communal house. Ben Tre is proud to be the motherland of poet NGUYEN Dinh Chieu. The residents are noted for its spirited defence of the country against the Americans during the American War. There are several monuments.

Festivals:

Ca Ong sacrificial festival, Go Thap festival.

Transport:

Ben Tre is 86 kilometres south of Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon; 14 kilometres south of My Tho. Access is by water only.

Water

Water access is by ferry from My Tho, after travelling there by bus. Various sized boats and ferries can be used.