Discover Ben Tre’s iconic foods, from coconut candy to elephant earfish. Explore prices, where to eat, and book exclusive culinary tours with Legend Travel Group to taste the Mekong Delta’s best!
Capture the vibrant flavors of Ben Tre’s culinary gem (Source: Internet)Ben Tre, nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is a food lover’s paradise, famed as the “Coconut Kingdom” for its coconut-infused cuisine and vibrant local flavors. From crispy elephant earfish to sweet coconut candy, the region’s dishes reflect its lush waterways, fertile orchards, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re dining at a riverside eatery or exploring bustling markets, Ben Tre’s culinary scene promises an unforgettable experience.
At Legend Travel Group, we craft immersive culinary tours to guide you through Ben Tre’s foodie highlights, pairing authentic meals with scenic boat rides and village visits. Ready to tantalize your taste buds? Dive into our curated list of the 10 best foods to try in Ben Tre, complete with prices, dining tips, and tour options to make your culinary adventure seamless.
Elephant Ear Fish (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s food is a celebration of its natural bounty—coconuts, freshwater fish, tropical fruits, and rice fields shape a cuisine that’s both rustic and refined. The region’s dishes are often fresh, fragrant, and balanced, combining sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes. Many specialties incorporate coconut, from savory rice to desserts, making Ben Tre a must-visit for food enthusiasts. Pair your meals with Legend Travel Group’s guided tours to explore local kitchens, markets, and dining spots for an authentic taste of the Mekong Delta.
Culinary Highlights:
Coconut-Driven Dishes: Coconut candy, rice, and wine showcase the region’s star ingredient.
Fresh Ingredients: River fish, rice snails, and tropical fruits are sourced daily.
Unique Flavors: Expect bold combinations, like snails in coconut milk or fermented fish dips.
Accessible Dining: From street stalls to restaurants, meals are affordable and approachable
Coconut Rat Meat (Source: Internet)Here’s our handpicked selection of Ben Tre’s must-try dishes, with approximate prices (based on local eateries and markets) and recommendations for where to enjoy them. All prices are in VND/USD and include taxes unless stated otherwise.
Description: A Mekong Delta icon, this deep-fried giant gourami is crispy outside, tender inside, and served whole with its scales and fins intact. Wrapped in rice paper with herbs, cucumber, star fruit, and dipped in tangy fish sauce or fermented mắm nêm, it’s a textural delight.
Where to Try: Ben Tre Floating Restaurant or local riverside eateries in Chau Thanh.
Price: 150,000–250,000 VND (~$6–$10 USD) per fish, serving 2–3 people.
Tour Option: Our Mekong Delta Boat & Culinary Tour includes a stop to savor this dish with a riverside lunch.
Tour Price: 1,400,000 VND (~$56 USD) per person (group tour). Book at info@legendtravelgroup.com or (+84) 825862222.
Description: Ben Tre’s signature sweet, made from coconut milk and malt, is chewy, fragrant, and available in flavors like durian, peanut, or cocoa. Handcrafted by local artisans, it’s a perfect souvenir. Brands like Thien Long and Ngoc Huong are renowned.
Where to Try: Coconut candy workshops in An Khanh or Ben Tre Night Market.
Price: 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–$4 USD) per 500g pack.
Tour Option: Join our Coconut Village Tour to visit a candy workshop and sample fresh batches.
Tour Price: 1,200,000 VND (~$48 USD) per person. Reserve at (+84) 825862222.
Description: This crispy rice flour pancake is stuffed with fragrant rice snails, harvested seasonally (April–July). Served with fresh herbs and lime-chili fish sauce, it’s a Ben Tre specialty best enjoyed at Phu Da Island or Lach Market during the Parasite-Killing Festival.
Where to Try: Ms. Hai’s stall near Ben Tre Market or Phu Da Island eateries.
Price: 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–$2 USD) per pancake.
Tour Option: Our Ben Tre Market & Food Tour includes snail pancake tasting and market exploration.
Tour Price: 900,000 VND (~$36 USD) per person. Book now at info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Description: Sticky rice soaked in coconut water and cooked inside a coconut shell, served with sautéed shrimp or braised pork. Its fragrant, slightly sweet flavor is uniquely Ben Tre.
Where to Try: Local restaurants in Chau Thanh or Con Phung Island.
Price: 80,000–120,000 VND (~$3.20–$4.80 USD) per serving.
Tour Option: Our Con Phung Island Tour features coconut rice as part of a traditional lunch.
Tour Price: 1,200,000 VND (~$48 USD) per person. Call (+84) 825862222 to reserve.
Description: A daring delicacy, these fat coconut tree larvae are served live in chili fish sauce, fried with butter, or baked and wrapped in lettuce with tamarind dip. Their rich, yolk-like texture is surprisingly delicious.
Where to Try: Specialty stalls in Cho Lach or rural homestays.
Price: 100,000–150,000 VND (~$4–$6 USD) per small portion.
Tour Option: Our Rural Ben Tre Food Adventure includes a guided tasting of coconut worms.
Tour Price: 1,500,000 VND (~$60 USD) per person. Book at info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Description: These fresh spring rolls combine minced pork, pork skin, grilled rice powder, and herbs, wrapped in rice paper and dipped in a savory peanut-fish sauce. Their crunchy, aromatic filling sets them apart.
Where to Try: Street vendors near Ben Tre Market or Ms. Hai’s stall.
Price: 15,000–25,000 VND (~$0.60–$1 USD) per roll.
Tour Option: Our Night Market & Food Tour includes shredded pork rolls and other street food.
Tour Price: 900,000 VND (~$36 USD) per person. Reserve at (+84) 825862222.
Description: Small rice snails simmered in creamy coconut milk create a rich, aromatic dish that’s both comforting and flavorful. Served with rice or as a side, it’s a Ben Tre classic.
Where to Try: Riverside eateries in Giong Trom or local homestays.
Price: 70,000–100,000 VND (~$2.80–$4 USD) per bowl.
Tour Option: Our Mekong Delta Culinary Tour includes this dish during a village lunch.
Tour Price: 1,400,000 VND (~$56 USD) per person. Book now at info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Description: Rats that feed on coconuts are prepared grilled, steamed, or curried, offering tender, flavorful meat with a hint of sweetness. Grilled rat with lemongrass is a local favorite.
Where to Try: Rural restaurants in Mo Cay Bac or homestays.
Price: 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–$8 USD) per serving.
Tour Option: Our Off-the-Beaten-Path Food Tour offers a chance to try this unique dish.
Tour Price: 1,600,000 VND (~$64 USD) per person. Call (+84) 825862222 to reserve.
Description: A nostalgic street food, these bananas are halved, grilled, flattened, and re-grilled until golden and crispy. Simple yet addictive, they’re a beloved Ben Tre snack.
Where to Try: Stalls along Truc Giang, near Ben Tre Town Hospital.
Price: 10,000–20,000 VND (~$0.40–$0.80 USD) per piece.
Tour Option: Our Ben Tre Street Food Tour includes fattened bananas and other snacks.
Tour Price: 900,000 VND (~$36 USD) per person. Book at info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Description: A smooth, sweet liquor made from glutinous rice wine incubated in fresh coconut, available in 18%, 29%, or 35% alcohol variants. It’s a refined gift or sipping drink, served chilled or warm.
Where to Try: Local markets or Phu Le village distilleries.
Price: 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–$8 USD) per 500ml bottle.
Tour Option: Our Cultural & Culinary Tour includes a visit to a coconut wine distillery.
Tour Price: 1,300,000 VND (~$52 USD) per person. Reserve at (+84) 825862222.
Lava "Đuông Dừa" (Source: Internet)Ben Tre Night Market: Affordable street food like shredded pork rolls, fattened bananas, and coconut candy. Open evenings along Phan Ngoc Tong Street.
Ben Tre Floating Restaurant: Ideal for elephant earfish and coconut rice, with scenic river views. Located in Chau Thanh.
Ms. Hai’s Stall: Famous for snail pancakes and shredded pork rolls, near Ben Tre Market.
Rural Homestays: In Giong Trom or Mo Cay Bac, try coconut worms, coconut rat, or snail in coconut milk with local families.
Phu Da Island: Seasonal snail pancakes during the Parasite-Killing Festival (May–July).
Dining Tip: Pair your meals with Legend Travel Group’s food tours for guided tastings and insider access to the best eateries.
Coconut Candy (Source: Internet)As a premier local tour operator, Legend Travel Group offers immersive food-focused tours to explore Ben Tre’s cuisine. Our expertly crafted experiences combine dining with cultural and scenic adventures:
Cruise Ben Tre’s canals, visit a coconut candy workshop, and enjoy a lunch featuring elephant earfish and coconut rice.
Duration: 6–8 hours
Price: 1,400,000 VND (~$56 USD) per person (group tour); private tours from 2,800,000 VND (~$112 USD).
Book Now: info@legendtravelgroup.com or (+84) 825862222.
Explore Ben Tre Night Market and local stalls, tasting snail pancakes, shredded pork rolls, and fattened bananas.
Duration: 4 hours
Price: 900,000 VND (~$36 USD) per person.
Book Now: Reserve online or call (+84) 825862222.
Venture into villages for coconut worms, coconut rat, and snail in coconut milk, with a homestay lunch.
Duration: 5–6 hours
Price: 1,500,000 VND (~$60 USD) per person.
Book Now: info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Visit Tuyen Linh Temple, a coconut wine distillery, and enjoy a meal with coconut rice and snail in coconut milk.
Duration: 6–8 hours
Price: 1,300,000 VND (~$52 USD) per person.
Book Now: Call (+84) 825862222 or book online.
Shredded Pork Rolls "Bì Cuốn" (Source: Internet)As of late 2026, Ben Tre will transition from a province to a ward within the restructured Vinh Long Province, following the merger of Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Tra Vinh provinces. This change will not affect tourism, dining, or accessibility, and Legend Travel Group ensures all tours and dining experiences reflect the latest regional updates.
Snail Pancake "Bánh Xèo Ốc gạo" (Source: Internet)Legend Travel Group is your trusted local partner for authentic Ben Tre experiences. Here’s why foodies choose us:
Local Expertise: Our Mekong Delta-native guides know the best eateries and recipes.
Tailored Tours: Customize your food adventure with private or group options.
Affordable Rates: Transparent pricing with no hidden costs.
Seamless Booking: Reserve online, via email, or through our hotline for instant confirmation.
Fattened Banana "Chuối đập" (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of coconut-infused delights, fresh river catches, and bold local specialties. From bustling markets to tranquil riverside restaurants, every bite tells a story of the Mekong Delta’s heart. Legend Travel Group’s Ben Tre Tours guide you through this culinary journey, ensuring a sustainable Ben Tre Travel experience with expertly curated tours that support local communities. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your food tour today!
Ready to taste the Coconut Kingdom? Reserve your eco-friendly tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on a delicious Mekong Delta adventure!
Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys. By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group to certify content copyright.
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