Ben Tre vs Can Tho 

Ben Tre vs Can Tho: Which Mekong Destination Is Right for You?

Planning a trip to the Mekong Delta but not sure where to go?
Ben Tre and Can Tho are two of the most talked-about spots in southern Vietnam — but they offer very different experiences. Whether you’re dreaming of floating markets or coconut trees, this guide will help you choose the destination that fits your travel style.

🌇 The Vibe: City vs Countryside

Can Tho is a bustling riverside city — full of life, traffic, and modern comforts.
It’s the largest city in the Mekong Delta and feels like a mini-Saigon, with shopping malls, rooftop cafes, and an airport.

Ben Tre, on the other hand, is slow and soulful. It’s known as the land of coconut palms, with quiet villages, small farms, and muddy canals where life hasn’t changed much in decades.

✨ If you’re looking to unwind and connect with nature, Ben Tre is your place.

🚤 What to Do in Each Destination

Top things to do in Can Tho:

• Visit the Cai Rang Floating Market at sunrise
  
  

• Explore the Ong Pagoda and night market
  
  

• Stay in a city hotel or riverside resort
  
  

Top things to do in Ben Tre:

• Ride a bicycle through coconut groves
  
  

• Join a farm tour and try harvesting tropical fruits
  
  

• Take a peaceful rowboat ride under jungle canopy
  
  

• See fireflies glowing in the dark at night 🌌
  
  

🧑‍🌾 Want the full farmstay experience in Ben Tre? Coco Happy Farm offers a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure.

🍲 Food: Street Eats or Home-Cooked Meals?

In Can Tho, you’ll find everything from street noodles to rooftop fusion restaurants. It’s great for foodies who want to try lots of local dishes quickly.

In Ben Tre, the food comes straight from the land — and the family kitchen. Think:

• Fresh coconuts picked that morning
  
  

• Home-cooked hủ tiếu, mì xào, and even vegetarian hotpots
  
  

• Cocktails like Mango Daiquiri and Piña Colada, made with local ingredients by your host’s sister!
  
  

🚗 Getting There & Around

Can Tho has an airport and is easier to reach by long-distance bus.
Ben Tre is about 2–2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, and best accessed by car or local bus.

But once you arrive in Ben Tre, time slows down — and that’s the point.

🌿 So… Where Should You Go?

Choose Can Tho if:

• You love urban energy
  
  

• You want convenience and quick tours
  
  

• You have just 1 night and need easy access
  
  

Choose Ben Tre if:

• You love nature, local life, and slow travel
  
  

• You want to stay with a local family and hear real stories
  
  

• You want to see Vietnam beyond the tourist lens
  
  

📍 Why We Chose Ben Tre

We might be biased — Coco Happy Farm is our home — but we’ve had guests who visited both and said:

“Ben Tre gave me what I thought the Mekong would feel like — and it was even better.”

If you’re curious, come and see for yourself.

📞 Message Thuan on WhatsApp: +84 363 332 613
📸 Or follow our daily farm life: @cocohappyfarm