Find Out The Best Time To Visit Ben Tre For Fruit Picking

Ben Tre, much like other provinces in the Mekong Delta, is a paradise for tourists who adore tropical fruits. Beyond the stunning river scenery, visitors can explore expansive gardens brimming with delicious tropical fruits such as star apples, rambutans, and durians.

Join Joy Journeys as we discover the best time to visit Ben Tre for fruit picking!

Ben Tre – A fruit lover’s paradise

As a province in the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre boasts soil that is highly suitable for agricultural development.

In addition to its famous coconut plantations, Ben Tre is also home to five other main fruit crops: rambutan, durian, mangosteen, green-skinned grapefruit, and longan.

These fruit trees thrive in the province’s natural conditions, offering significant export potential and contributing to the local economy.

fruits in ben tre
Green-skinned grapefruit is one of Ben Tre’s staple fruits, known for its sweet and juicy flavor

Visiting Ben Tre during the fruit season allows you to explore renowned orchards such as:

  • Cai Mon Fruit Garden (Cho Lach, Ben Tre): This is one of the province’s largest and most famous gardens. It grows a wide variety of fruits, including durians, grapefruits, and rambutans. The garden also grows ornamental flowers like marigolds, raspberries, and bougainvillea, making it a scenic destination to enjoy fresh fruit while soaking in the beautiful surroundings.
  • Hue Fruit Garden (Chau Thanh, Ben Tre): If you’re a fan of rambutan, this is the place to be. While other fruits such as durians and mangosteens are also grown here, the star of the garden is the rambutan, prized by tourists for its thin skin, thick flesh, and juicy flavor.
  • Bay Thao Durian Garden (Cho Lach, Ben Tre): Durians grown in the Mekong Delta are known for their rich flavor, and Bay Thao’s garden is no exception. Visiting during durian season, you’ll be greeted by the sweet, mild aroma of ripe fruit. You can savor the freshly harvested durians on-site, and if you decide to purchase some, you can be assured of their top quality.

When is the best time to visit Ben Tre for fruit picking?

While Ben Tre Vietnam coconuts are available year-round, the best time to visit Ben Tre for fruit picking is from April to August.

At this time, the orchards are brimming with fresh produce, and specialty fruits are sold everywhere. If you’re interested in visiting during a specific fruit’s season, here’s a guide to their harvest times:

  • Durian season in Ben Tre, an ideal time to explore durian orchards, runs from June to August. During this period, the durians are at their ripest, offering a rich, sweet, and creamy flavor that delivers an unforgettable culinary experience.
  • The season for Lo Ren Vinh Kim Star Apple lasts from September to April of the following year, with the ripest fruits available from November to December. These star apples are particularly delicious, juicy, and low in sap.
  • Mangosteen season typically starts from April and lasts until June. Visitors can savor this unique fruit and even purchase it as a gift.

Experience Ben Tre’s fruit season

Visiting Ben Tre during the fruit season offers a variety of enticing activities you won’t want to miss:

  • Fruit picking and tasting: Explore renowned orchards and immerse yourself in the daily life of farmers by picking and enjoying fresh tropical fruits straight from the trees.
  • Market visits: Local markets like Ben Tre Market, Cai Mon Market, and Tan Phu Market offer a wide variety of seasonal fruits at very affordable prices. Visitors can shop for fruits to take home as gifts for friends and family.
local markets bentre
Discover vibrant local markets to explore the seasonal fruits at affordable prices
  • Culinary experiences: Beyond tasting fruits in the orchards, you can enjoy unique culinary experiences with dishes like mangosteen salad and sour soup made with mangrove fruits. During the fruit season in Ben Tre, there are also many delicious dessert options to explore.
  • Photography: Ben Tre’s orchards are often expansive and grow a wide range of fruits, making them perfect for souvenir photos amidst the lush greenery.

Tips for planning a Ben Tre fruit trip

Research the specific fruit seasons

Tropical fruits are available year-round, but to meet your expectations, it’s important for visitors to research Ben Tre fruit seasons in advance. This will help you determine if weather or climate conditions may affect the harvest.

Additionally, if you want to visit during a specific fruit season, check the best time to go beforehand.

Consider the weather and pack appropriate clothing

When traveling to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, it is best to wear lightweight, cotton shirts that absorb moisture well, as the weather is typically hot and sunny. Avoid packing thick, heavy clothing, as it can make you uncomfortable in the heat.

For vibrant check-in photos, opt for bright colors like blue, red, or yellow. These shades, along with light or neutral tones, can also help minimize the effects of UV radiation on your skin.

protect your skin
Wear bright or neutral colors when visiting orchards in Ben Tre to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation.

Remember that activities in the garden may cause your clothes to get dirty, so it’s best to avoid wearing white. Additionally, since the garden may have mosquitoes and small insects, consider wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts for extra protection.

Local interactions

In addition to sightseeing and enjoying delicious fruits, visitors can learn about the lives of local farmers by chatting and getting to know the people.

The residents of Ben Tre are incredibly friendly and approachable, so engaging with them will make you feel more connected to this beautiful region.

Book tours or accommodations in advance, especially during peak season

The fruit season, which coincides with the dry season, is the busiest time in the Mekong Delta. If you plan to visit Ben Tre in June, July, or August, book your accommodation and plan your itinerary in advance. You might also consider choosing reputable tour providers to ensure a more stress-free experience.

Joy Journeys offers 1-day Ben Tre tours with small groups, allowing you to fully enjoy the natural surroundings and connect with the friendly locals. If you need more information about our Ben Tre Vietnam tours, please contact us:

FAQs from Ben Tre tourists

Is Ben Tre worth visiting?

Absolutely! Ben Tre is a unique destination with its own charm, making it well worth a visit for any traveler. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking a quiet, peaceful atmosphere and an immersive cultural experience, offering a true taste of Ben Tre Vietnamese rural life.

What is Ben Tre famous for?

Ben Tre is one of the top tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta, attracting visitors with its unique highlights, including its rich nature and famous fruit gardens that showcase the best of Ben Tre Vietnamese agriculture.

  • Rich nature: Along with its extensive river system, Ben Tre boasts a 65 km coastline and mangrove forests rich in diverse flora and fauna.
  • Famous fruit gardens: The fertile land, nourished by the Tien, Ba Lai, Ham Luong and Co Chien rivers, is ideal for growing fruits such as coconuts, durians, and rambutans.
  • Coconut products: Ben Tre is known for its coconut trees, which serve both as fruit and industrial resources. With over 70,000 hectares of coconut plantations, locals produce a wide range of products, including coconut candy, coconut oil, and coconut milk.
  • “Don ca tai tu”: This region also preserves and promotes this traditional art form, which is recognized as humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.

When is Ben Tre fruit season?

The fruit season in Ben Tre primarily occurs from June to August. During this time, the trees bear ripe rambutans, mangosteens, longans, and durians—fruits that are characteristic of the region—allowing you to enjoy them right in the garden.

Are there any fruit festivals in Ben Tre?

Ben Tre hosts an annual fruit festival with the Doan Ngo Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month) in Cho Lach. This is an ideal time for Ben Tre tourists who love this region to visit and experience its unique offerings.

Conclusion

Visitors to the Mekong Delta can immerse themselves in the enchanting beauty of rivers, lush mangrove forests, and expansive fruit gardens. With Joy Journeys, you’ll discover the best time to visit Ben Tre for fruit picking, ensuring an unforgettable experience as you explore the vibrant landscapes and flavors of this remarkable region.