Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre
Ben Tre is 90 km south of Saigon, located by Ham Luong River- Mekong Delta. It is famous for coconut trees as the vast plantation. Since the coconut trunks, shells, and leaves had been used to make fibres, handicraft products, and coconut mats, family businesses also grew up. Begin the day trip with a 2 hours private vehicle drives south of Saigon to Ben Tre. The province is famous for its coconut trees as it looks like the plantations.
After an hour and half drives south of Ho Chi Minh, you arrive in Ben Tre around 10:00 a, and then you take a boat trip along the lively river bank before crossing the Cai to visit the village, stop at a coconut processing workshop. You can see locals making plenty of valuable products and experience daily life. Next, you will have a short tour through the village by Italian 3 wheel vintage Lambro. This three wheels passengers vehicle will remind you and locals about Saigon City from 1960 to 1975. However, the War ended and the Italian 3 wheels cars still using until late 1990. The vintage Lambro continues taking you to another family workshop producing coconut mats.
After the experience of making it with the family, take a walk to lush orchards, taste some tropical fruit before you enjoy a leisurely small sampan rowed on a natural creek through green water palms alongside. At the next stop, you get back on the boat and continue cruising. You will have a special lunch at your local home and continues to boat ride back to the dock. Say goodbye to the boatman for travel by car to Mr Sau Khanh. His hobby is collecting antiques; Altar vases made of bronze and ceramic, antique clocks, lights, and sculptures from different countries. His home now looks like a gallery/ showroom to display what he collected from 1980. Afterwards, keep on driving to My Tho and stop at Vinh Trang pagoda before returning to Saigon in the late afternoon.