Content [Switch to sidebar]

What To Do In Ben Tre ? Explore The Festivals In Ben Tre Vietnam

And its palm-lined rivers, fragrant floating markets and numerous traditional craft villages come together to truly embody the alluring authenticity of this city. Yet it is equally feted for its traditional festivals, that most direct way to the Vietnamese heart and mind — where music, dance and ancestor worship intertwine into a unique cultural experience not easily forgotten. However, if you have no idea what to do in Ben Tre, then let the travelling festivals of Ben Tre Vietnam entertain you – a touch of drums and flutes along with some traditional dance and local colours. Between folk songs by the water and open-air shows under the coconut trees, each festival becomes a sensory immersion in the heart of Mekong culture. With Autour Asia, live these unforgettable moments close to the inhabitants.

I. Why choose to visit Ben Tre during the festivals ?

During the festive season, a visit to Ben Tre is worth much more than a simple tourist curiosity. Indeed, at Christmas and around that time, the city reveals all its heart and soul. Stroll through its colorful streets, its floating markets that resound with drums, and its villages where people love to sing and dance. Particularly at this time, you will be immersed in several popular activities. In addition to the making of various handicraft objects, linked with the ancient traditions of this place, folk games are what unite, from generation to generation. Find unique images at every street corner.

This trip is also the opportunity for you to taste specialties such as coconut sweets, dishes prepared only in the delta but also the foods that the locals prepare successively for the occasion. The local population, warm and open, will not hesitate to invite you to taste their cuisine and to watch them perform rituals. With each bite, you will understand the true meaning of Ben Tre – the history, the culture and the people who will welcome you there. If you are wondering what to do in Ben Tre, nothing is worth more than an immersion in these authentic flavors and traditions.

II. Unmissable festivals in Ben Tre: traditions and colors of the Mekong

1. Traditional revolutionary festival of Ben Tre – symbol of the festivals in Ben Tre

Every year, this month of January is tinged with the colors of the Đồng Khởi Revolution festival, taking place mainly in the city of Ben Tre and the historical sites of the district of Mỏ Cày. Among the traditional festivals in Ben Tre, this last day of January brings the festival to the whole province, at the same time as to all of Vietnam. Indeed, it is the Revolutionary Commune from which this festival is held. The memorial of the Revolution of 1960, this pivotal year of the struggle for national independence, is thus commemorated with sadness and great pride all at once. They commemorate those who were heroes and martyrs, to whom freedom is owed but who, themselves, lost their lives.

During these holidays, you can see parades and ceremonies, visit exhibitions illustrating different moments of the revolution. Without forgetting, the artistic performances of all possible and imaginable styles will allow you to become familiar with the past and the present of the local culture. It is a chance to converse with the local population with eloquent speech and poignant stories.

On the other hand, just like the tradition of memory and pride, the Nguyễn Đình Chiểu festival is organized to celebrate the heritage of this great Vietnamese poet and patriot. Nguyễn Đình Chiểu was a master of the pen native to Ben Tre, educator, doctor, and patriot. Of course, all leaders are ultimately relative, but in any case, about him: for the people, poetry and lessons.

Every year, around July 1st – anniversary of his death – the festival is held at the site of the tomb of Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, in the district of Ba Tri. On this occasion, this place of memory is transformed into a living and exciting space. Visitors gather especially for the solemn ceremonies organized, the playful performances that are prepared, and the spiritual occasions of poetic readings. At the same time, many national specialties are offered on site. If you are wondering what to do in Ben Tre, attending the Nguyễn Đình Chiểu festival is a unique cultural experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the history and the soul of the region.

2. Ben Tre Coconut Festival: Activities in Ben Tre in the heart of the Mekong

• Time: end of November, every 4 to 5 years (the 5th edition from November 16 to 20, 2019)
• Place: Ben Tre city and different cultural spaces of the province

Ben Tre Coconut Festival is more than a simple cultural tradition, the festival reflects the living and prosperous identity of the inhabitants of the Mekong delta. Therefore, each edition of the festival is a celebration of the soul of the Mekong delta. However, the most significant is that it is a homage to the palm of a coconut tree, which besides being an agricultural product turns out to be an economic and moreover cultural and also spiritual symbol for the native of this area. That is why these days, this festival in Ben Tre has become a bustling carnival with exhibition of handicraft products, traditional arts performances including coconut candy – making process and music show as well as events like coconut cooking contest or the carnival. Visitors will be able to discover the exceptional objects of the craftsmen who create a great variety from its products from decoration to food.

To participate in this festival is also to dive into a friendly and warm atmosphere. Between the sweet aromas of coconut-based delicacies, the demonstrations of carving on coconut wood, and the shows of folk music and dance, each moment becomes an unforgettable sensory experience. It is the dream occasion to capture authentic images, exchange with the inhabitants and understand why Ben Tre is nicknamed the “kingdom of coconuts” and why the Ben Tre Coconut Festival is among the unavoidable answers to the question what to do in Ben Tre.

3. Nghinh Ông Nam Hải Festival: maritime traditions and popular fervor in Ben Tre

• Time: the 16th day of the 6th lunar month (sometimes variable depending on the localities)
• Place: coastal communes and fishing villages, especially Binh Dai, Ben Tre

The coastline of Bình Đại, in Ben Tre province, comes alive every summer with the solemn rhythm of the Nghinh Ông Nam Hải Festival. The maritime festival, which respects the fishermen’s custom, pays tribute to the whale, a benevolent god in their eyes, and gives thanks for the protection of its waters and fish. The ceremonial part, rich in rituals, includes the Nghinh Ông procession, the offering ceremony, and prayers for calm seas, favorable winds, and prosperous fishing seasons. The boats, richly decorated with lanterns and fresh flowers, carry at their prow offering trays made up of fruits, rice cakes, meats, and incense, in a sacred and moving fragrance. If you are wondering what to do in Ben Tre, attending this festival means diving into a rare moment where religious fervor and visual beauty meet.

After the sacred rituals, excitement fills the streets and docks with a vibrant atmosphere. In an ambiance full of folk games, such as tug of war or lion dance, the folk performances, traditional music, and tastings of local specialties follow one another. Fellow villagers, dressed in their finest clothes, share meals, stories, and songs, strengthening village ties. Thus, the village becomes the center of cultural and social life. This privileged moment allows travelers to immerse themselves in the authentic soul of festivals in Ben Tre Vietnam. It also makes one feel the human warmth as well as the generosity of this region of the Mekong Delta.

4. What to do in Ben Tre ? Explore the Festival of Delicious and Safe Fruits of Ben Tre

• Time: the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (Tết Đoan Ngọ, generally in June)
• Place: Chợ Lách district, Ben Tre

One of the traditional festivals of Ben Tre which stands out by its explosion of color, flavor and creativity is also well called the Festival of Delicious and Safe Fruits of Ben Tre. The event is organized every year during the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in Chợ Lách district. In addition to celebrating the richness of the orchards of the Mekong delta, it highlights the know-how of local farmers and artisans. The schedule is full: breathtaking artistic presentations made from tropical fruits, exhibitions of rare regional varieties and casual discussions between producers, artisans and fruit lovers. The atmosphere is joyful each year but no less friendly, a living tribute to the richness of the inhabitants.

If you are looking for what to do in Ben Tre during this period, the festival is an experience not to be missed. Immerse yourself in the impressive fruit sculptures, taste local specialties picked at the last minute and discover the art of fruit arrangement, unique in Vietnam. Meet directly with the producers, discover sustainable cultivation methods and buy local products. More than a festival, it is an insight into the agricultural culture and rural dynamism of Ben Tre.

5. Discovery of the Kỳ Yên Festival, traditional festival in Ben Tre

• Time: generally in February or March of the lunar calendar; sometimes also during the Thượng điền festivals (lunar November–December) and Hạ điền festivals (lunar March–May)
• Place: mainly in the communal houses of Ben Tre, notably at Phú Lễ communal house and An Hội communal house

One of the most important and significant festivals in Ben Tre is the Kỳ Yên Festival. In translation, its name means “pray for peace and prosperity”; the importance of protecting and coordinating the yin and the yang of all is clearly illustrated. Celebrated since immemorial times and passed down from generation to generation, the festival aims to worship the Thành Hoàng, the guardian genie of the village. The solemn ceremonies and the well-known popular games, the social events, the hát bội, or the traditional opera of the South, all at once: during the worship rituals, the highest piety is respected, the opera, in particular, is very noisy, and the games and other popular social events take place. A successful mixture of spirituality and social interaction allows visitors to fully understand the culture and the mentality of the South of Vietnam.

For those who really want to dive into the traditional festivals of Ben Tre, Kỳ Yên is an unmissable event. Here, one must not only attend ancestral ceremonies, but also touch the soul of craftsmanship, taste the spices of local folklore, and feel the fragrance of simple and colorful joy of village life. The human experience of summer, mingled with the brilliance of people’s smiles, homemade cooking, traditional music, and Vietnamese popular belief, is a cultural sculpture and sprawling artistic delicacy that attracts and captivates the heart and mind of everyone.

In the end, the traditional festivals in Ben Tre are much more than just festive days, they are the living spirit of this Mekong region, combining history, spirituality, and conviviality. From ancient rituals to folk performances and celebrations with the local population, each event takes you into a unique world shaped over generations. If you are wondering what to do in Ben Tre, choosing one of them is an impressive and unforgettable immersion, a rare opportunity to feel the spirit of the Mekong riverbanks with all your heart. To help you feel this immersion, our local travel agency in Vietnam, Autour Asia, is committed to accompanying you on a tailor-made tour and to making for you the best memories of Ben Tre.

This can be interested to you:

- 5 days in Ben Tre
- Ben Tre Travel Guide
- 8 days in Southern Vietnam Tour
- South Vietnam Tours