Discover what to eat in Ben Tre, Vinh Long, from coconut rice to snail pancakes. Explore top dishes, prices, and book guided food tours with Legend Travel Group for an authentic Mekong Delta culinary adventure!
Capture the tropical essence of Ben Tre’s culinary gem
What to eat in Ben Tre? (Source: Internet)Ben Tre ward, nestled in Vinh Long province, is a culinary gem in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, celebrated as the “Coconut Kingdom” for its coconut-infused dishes and vibrant street food scene. Just 85 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre offers a tantalizing array of specialties, from creamy Ốc Dừa (snail in coconut milk) to crispy Chuối Đập (flattened banana), reflecting its lush waterways and fertile orchards. These dishes, rooted in local ingredients like rice snails, giant gourami, and tropical fruits, are served at bustling markets, riverside eateries, and homestays, per legendtravelgroup.com. Legend Travel Group, a premier local tour operator, curates immersive culinary tours that let you savor Ben Tre’s flavors, paired with cultural experiences like canal cruises and coconut candy workshops. Ready to taste the Mekong Delta’s culinary heart in Vinh Long? Book your tour via the links on this page and embark on a foodie adventure!
Coconut Rice "Cơm Dừa" - Seize the vibrant spirit of Ben Tre Travel (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of Mekong Delta flavors, blending coconut, seafood, and tropical fruits into dishes that are both familiar and exotic, per legendtravelgroup.com. Known for its 53,000 hectares of coconut groves, the region infuses coconut milk, water, and meat into specialties like Cơm Dừa and Kẹo Dừa, per legendtravelgroup.com. Local markets like Phu Cho and street stalls along Truc Giang serve rustic dishes such as Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo (snail pancake) and Bì Cuốn (shredded pork rolls), per vietnamnet.vn. From adventurous Đuông Dừa (coconut worms) to nostalgic Chuối Đập, Ben Tre’s food scene captivates with its diversity and authenticity, per legendtravelgroup.com. Legend Travel Group’s guided tours take you to the best eateries, ensuring a flavorful journey through Vinh Long’s culinary landscape.
Why Ben Tre’s Food Stands Out:
Coconut Infusion: Dishes like Ốc Dừa and Cơm Dừa highlight coconut’s versatility, per vietnam.vn.
Fresh Ingredients: Seafood and fruits from local rivers and orchards, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Cultural Significance: Specialties tied to festivals like Doan Ngo and Tet, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Affordable Delights: Meals start at $0.40, offering value and variety, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Legend Travel Group delivers authentic Mekong Delta experiences with English-speaking guides, sustainable partnerships with local vendors, and seamless logistics. Our Ben Tre food tours inspire action, combining culinary tastings with visits to orchards, markets, and cultural sites, per legendtravelgroup.com. Reserve your spot now and let us guide you through Vinh Long’s gastronomic and cultural treasures!
Snail in Coconut Milk "Ốc Dừa" (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s cuisine is deeply rooted in its geography, with four rivers—Tien, Ham Luong, Ba Lai, and Co Chien—nurturing a rich aquatic and agricultural landscape, per legendtravelgroup.com. The region’s 800 million annual coconuts fuel dishes like Kẹo Dừa, a national favorite since the 1930s, per legendtravelgroup.com. Seasonal specialties, such as Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạoduring the Doan Ngo Festival (mid-May), highlight rice snails from Phu Da Island, per legendtravelgroup.com. Street foods like Chuối Đập evoke nostalgia, while adventurous dishes like Đuông Dừa showcase Ben Tre’s bold flavors, per legendtravelgroup.com. From Phu Cho Market to homestays in Giong Trom, Ben Tre’s eateries offer a communal dining experience, often paired with đờn ca tài tử music, per vietnamtourism.vn. This culinary diversity makes Ben Tre a foodie haven in Vinh Long province.
Flattened Banana "Chuối đập" (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s culinary scene thrives year-round, but key times enhance the experience:
Fruit Harvest Season (June–August): Orchards yield ingredients for dishes like Cơm Dừa, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Doan Ngo Festival (Mid-May, Lunar Calendar): Peak time for Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Dry Season (December–April): Mild weather (25–35°C) suits market visits and outdoor dining, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Rainy Season (May–October): Lush landscapes and fresh seafood; morning tastings (8:00–11:00 AM) avoid showers, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Ben Tre Coconut Festival (July, biennial): Showcases coconut dishes, per vietnam.vn.
Tip: Book tours 1–2 weeks ahead for May–August or July’s festival to secure spots, as crowds peak, per tripadvisor.com.
Snail Pancake "Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo" - Photograph the savory allure of Ben Tre’s cuisine (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s culinary hotspots, like Phu Cho Market, Ben Tre Night Market, and riverside eateries, are 5–20 km from Ben Tre city center and 85 km from Ho Chi Minh City:
Route: Local roads to Truc Giang (for Chuối Đập), Phu Cho Market, or Chau Thanh (riverside restaurants).
Motorbike: 10–30 min, rental $8–$10/day (200,000–250,000 VND) + fuel $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND).
Taxi/Ride-Hailing: $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND), 10–20 min.
Local Bus: Buses to Cho Lach or Chau Thanh ($1–$1.60, 25,000–40,000 VND), 30 min, then xe ôm ($1–$1.60), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Route: Highway 1A to My Tho, cross Rach Mieu Bridge, follow Highway 60 to Ben Tre, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Bus: 1.5–2h from Mien Tay Bus Station ($3–$5, 75,000–125,000 VND), then taxi ($3–$5), per bestpricetravel.com.
Private Car: 2–2.5h, $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND).
Boat: High-speed ferries to Ben Tre piers, 2h, $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tip: Use Google Maps for navigation; Legend Travel Group’s tours include round-trip transfers for a seamless journey.
Shredded Pork Rolls "Bì cuốn" (Source: Internet)Below are Ben Tre’s must-try dishes, with approximate prices (1 USD ≈ 25,000 VND) and tour options to savor them authentically:
Coconut Rice (Cơm Dừa)
Description: Sticky rice soaked in coconut water, cooked in a coconut shell, and served with sautéed shrimp or pork, offering a fragrant, sweet flavor, per vietnamnet.vn.
Price: $1.20–$3.20 (30,000–80,000 VND)/serving.
Where: Con Phung Island or Ben Tre Floating Restaurant (Chau Thanh).
Experience: Enjoy with riverside views; pairs well with fish sauce, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Con Phung Island Tour includes Cơm Dừa in a traditional lunch.
Price: $48 (1,200,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: info@legendtravelgroup.com or (+84) 825862222.
Snail in Coconut Milk (Ốc Dừa)
Description: Rice snails simmered in creamy coconut milk with lemongrass and chili, a rich, aromatic stew, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND)/portion (serves 1–2).
Where: Snail Shop 6 Phung (29 Dong Khoi Boulevard, Ward 4) or Giong Trom homestays.
Experience: Suck snails from shells for an interactive meal, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Mekong Delta Culinary Tour features Ốc Dừa.
Price: $56 (1,400,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: Call (+84) 825862222.
Flattened Banana (Chuối Đập)
Description: Green Siamese bananas grilled, flattened, and re-grilled to a crispy, caramelized finish, often drizzled with coconut milk, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $0.40–$0.80 (10,000–20,000 VND)/piece.
Where: Truc Giang stalls (near Ben Tre General Hospital) or Ben Tre Night Market.
Experience: Nostalgic street food; best hot off the grill, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Ben Tre Night Market & Food Tour includes Chuối Đập.
Price: $36 (900,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Snail Pancake (Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo)
Description: Crispy rice flour pancakes filled with rice snails, bean sprouts, and herbs, served with fish sauce, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $1.20–$2 (30,000–50,000 VND)/pancake.
Where: Phu Da Island (Cho Lach) or Lach Canh Market, especially during Doan Ngo Festival (mid-May).
Experience: Seasonal treat; best with mustard greens, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Doan Ngo Festival Tour (mid-May) includes Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo.
Price: $50 (1,250,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: Call (+84) 825862222.
Shredded Pork Rolls (Bì Cuốn)
Description: Rice paper rolls filled with minced pork, pork skin, grilled rice powder, noodles, and herbs, served with aromatic fish sauce, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND)/roll.
Where: Ms. Hai’s stall (next to Ben Tre Market) or Phu Cho Market.
Experience: Light, flavorful appetizer; perfect for sharing, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Ben Tre Market Food Tour includes Bì Cuốn.
Price: $40 (1,000,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Coconut Candy (Kẹo Dừa)
Description: Chewy candy made from coconut milk and malt, in flavors like durian, peanut, or pandan, crafted since the 1930s, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $1–$3 (25,000–75,000 VND)/300g.
Where: Thanh Long or Ngoc Huong factories (An Khanh) or Phu Cho Market.
Experience: Watch artisans at work; ideal souvenir, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Coconut Village Tour includes candy workshop visits.
Price: $48 (1,200,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: Call (+84) 825862222.
Coconut Worms (Đuông Dừa)
Description: Coconut tree larvae served live in chili fish sauce, fried with butter, or baked and wrapped in lettuce, with a rich, yolk-like taste, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $4–$6 (100,000–150,000 VND)/portion.
Where: Specialty stalls in Cho Lach or homestays in Mo Cay Bac.
Experience: Adventurous dish; try fried for less intensity, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tour Option: Our Rural Ben Tre Food Adventure includes Đuông Dừa.
Price: $60 (1,500,000 VND)/person.
Book Now: info@legendtravelgroup.com.
Coconut Candy (Source: Internet)Phu Cho Market: Offers Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo, Bì Cuốn, and Kẹo Dừa at vibrant stalls, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Ben Tre Night Market: Features Chuối Đập and Bì Cuốn with riverside ambiance, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Snail Shop 6 Phung: Specializes in Ốc Dừa (29 Dong Khoi Boulevard, Ward 4), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Ben Tre Floating Restaurant: Serves Cơm Dừa with scenic river views in Chau Thanh, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Homestays in Giong Trom/Mo Cay Bac: Offer Đuông Dừa and Cơm Dừa with local hospitality, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Truc Giang Stalls: Known for Chuối Đập near Ben Tre General Hospital, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tip: Pair meals with đờn ca tài tử music at homestays or festivals for a cultural experience, per vietnamtourism.vn.
Lava "Đuông Dừa" - Dive into the adventurous flavors of Ben Tre Travel (Source: Internet)Plan Timing: Visit June–August for fruit-based dishes or mid-May for Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo during Doan Ngo; book tours 1–2 weeks ahead for July’s Coconut Festival, per vietnam.vn.
Pack Smart: Wear light clothing, closed shoes for markets, and raincoats for May–October. Bring a reusable bag for snacks, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Budget Wisely: Dishes cost $0.40–$10 (10,000–250,000 VND); budget $2–$5 for meals, $5–$10 for boat rides, and $10–$15 for cooking classes.
Respect Vendors: Follow stall etiquette; ask before photographing food prep, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Bring Cash: Small VND notes (5,000–20,000) for stalls; few vendors accept cards, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Stay Safe: Keep valuables secure in markets; use crossbody bags. Boat rides require life vests, provided by operators, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Join a Guided Tour: Legend Travel Group’s tours ensure vetted vendors, safe transport, and cultural insights, addressing crowding concerns noted on Tripadvisor.
Ready to savor Ben Tre’s iconic dishes? Legend Travel Group makes it effortless:
Browse Tours: Explore our culinary-focused options on this page (right or below).
Customize Your Trip: Contact us for private tours, festival itineraries, or cooking class add-ons.
Book Seamlessly: Secure your spot with a small deposit and enjoy free cancellations up to 24 hours before departure.
Live the Mekong Dream: Our guides deliver an authentic, unforgettable experience in Vinh Long.
Book Now and let Legend Travel Group craft your perfect Ben Tre food adventure!
Ben Tre Region, Vinh Long Province, a Mekong Delta culinary treasure 85 km from Ho Chi Minh City, captivates with vibrant dishes like coconut-infused Cơm Dừa ($1–$2, 25,000–50,000 VND), adventurous Đuông Dừa (coconut worms, $2–$5, 50,000–125,000 VND), crispy Bánh Xèo Ốc Gạo ($1.50–$3, 37,500–75,000 VND) at Phu Da Island, and savory Bì Cuốn (rice paper rolls, $0.50–$1, 12,500–25,000 VND) at local stalls, drawing thousands yearly. These dishes, enjoyed at spots like Ben Tre Market or homestays, reflect the region’s tropical and cultural essence, supported by sustainable practices like responsibly sourced ingredients and eco-friendly dining. Legend Travel Group’s Ben Tre Tours provide a seamless, authentic Ben Tre Travel experience, blending tastings with canal cruises, visits to Cai Mon Orchard and Con Phung Island, and cultural performances like đờn ca tài tử music. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your eco-friendly culinary adventure today!
Ready to eat in Ben Tre? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and immerse yourself in the Mekong Delta’s gastronomic heart!
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.
Sources:
Ben Tre Cuisine Information: vietnam.travel, vietnamtourism.org.vn, vemekong.com, saigoneer.com, lilystravelagency.com, vietnamtrips.com, scootersaigontour.com, dacsanday.net
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