EXPERIENCE 4 ISLETS IN BEN TRE THAT YOU WOULD NOT MISS

Ben Tre is a province in the Mekong Delta region. It is known as the land of lush green coconut trees. Located at the end of the Mekong River, it is surrounded by a dense network of canals and rivers. Additionally, Ben Tre is famous for the “Tứ linh” – four tourist islets that create a unique landscape in the land of coconuts. I will introduce you to the 4 islets of Ben Tre that you must visit!

1. What is 4 Islets of Ben Tre?

4 Islets (Tứ linh) is the abbreviated name for the four tourist islets: Long, Lân, Quy, and Phụng. The system of the four tourist islets Long, Lân, Quy, and Phụng is located in the gentle waters of the Tien River in Ben Tre.

4 Islets in western Vietnam.

According to my travel experience in Ben Tre, the ideal spot to admire the entire landscape of Tứ linh is the majestic Rach Mieu Bridge, which connects the two provinces of Ben Tre and Tien Giang. Standing on the bridge, you can capture the vast and poetic images of Tứ linh stretching across the Tien River. With this wonderful experience, you will surely gain more knowledge and enjoy one of the most beautiful scenes in Ben Tre!

2. The ideal time to experience

The system of four islets in Ben Tre is a year-round destination for tourists visiting the Mekong Delta. The reason is that the climate on the four islets is always cool and mild, with little impact from natural disasters. Each season here has its own unique beauty:

Ben Tre

From May to August: This is the fruit harvest season in Ben Tre. The fruit orchards on the four islets are laden with an abundance of delicious fruits.

From September to April of the following year: Although there are not as many fruits, you can enjoy the experience of rowing a boat to take in the vast scenery of the coconut land and waterways.

3. Overview of 4 Islets

3.1. Long Islet

Long Islet is located in the territory of My Tho City, Tien Giang Province. Although it is not as famous as the other three islets, Long Islet is still a beautiful tourist destination in Ben Tre worth exploring. Here, you will be amazed by the poetic and gentle beauty, reminiscent of a girl from the Mekong Delta.

Long Islet

The lush fruit orchards providing shade will be an ideal stop for relaxation. At the same time, you can enjoy various specialty fruits, such as durian, rambutan, cherry, orange, mango, and breast milk fruit. Notably, Long Islet is also known for its aquaculture, specializing in raising seafood on floating rafts. Therefore, during your one-day tour to explore Long Islet in Ben Tre, you will have the opportunity to indulge in delicious, fresh seafood as well.

Do not miss the fruit garden here.

3.2. Lan Islet

The journey of the 4 islet tour in Ben Tre will continue to take you to Lan Islet. It is located in Thoi Hoa Hamlet, Thoi Son Commune, My Tho City, Tien Giang Province. In addition to the name Lan Islet, the locals also refer to this place as Thoi Son Islet. With a total area of about 1,200 hectares, Thoi Son Islet naturally becomes the largest islet in the Tứ linh.

Lan Islet

Upon arriving at Lan Islet, you will witness a lush natural landscape surrounded by a dense network of canals and rivers. Additionally, the nature has generously bestowed Lan Islet with many fruit orchards laden with fruit and a rich source of seafood. The tour to Lan Islet is even more exciting with the experience of rowing a boat through small canals to admire the mangrove forests. Moreover, you can also catch fish by hand and enjoy traditional music performances right here!

Exploring the peaceful scenery of Thoi Son Islet and Con Lan Tien Giang by horse-drawn carriage will definitely leave you with many unforgettable memories.

The next interesting experience when coming to Thoi Son Islet, Con Lan Tien Giang is visiting the fruit garden.

3.3. Quy Islet

Quy Islet is the smallest destination among the four tourist islets in Ben Tre, with an area of only about 65 hectares. Quy Islet is located in the territory of Tan Thach and Quoi Son Communes, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province.

Quy Islet

Like other tourist spots in Ben Tre, Quy Islet is also attractive with its spacious environment and cool climate. Additionally, the pristine and peaceful beauty of Quy Islet will surely soothe your soul. Furthermore, Quy Islet is home to many tall, long-standing fruit orchards. Finally, the enchanting melodies of traditional music performances are a unique “spiritual dish” of Ben Tre that you should not miss!

Besides sightseeing activities, you can also participate in interesting activities such as: fishing in ditches, catching crabs and snails, fishing, bathing in the river, crossing the iron bridge.

3.4. Phung Islet

Phung Islet is the final tourist destination in the journey to explore the four islets of Ben Tre. In addition to the name Phung Islet, this place is also known as Tan Vinh. It is a small islet rising in the middle of the Tien River. The specific location of Phung Islet is in Tan Thach Commune, Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province. The current area of Phung Islet is about 50 hectares, featuring a charming landscape of rivers and waterways.

Phung Islet

When visiting Phụng Islet, you can not only explore the vast fruit orchards or row a boat to take in the scenic waterways, but you can also learn about the Đạo Dừa architectural complex associated with the legend of its founder, Nguyen Thanh Nam. Although it has been built for over 50 years, the Đạo Dừa architecture still retains its original beauty.

The pillars are carved with exquisitely coiled dragon shapes.

The tour of Đạo Dừa will take you to see various structures, including the Nine Dragons Courtyard and the Peace Tower. It is advisable to wear respectful clothing when visiting the Đạo Dừa historical site!

4. How 4 Islets attract lots of tourists?

4.1. Experience the riding the boat

The means of transportation you will use throughout your journey to explore the four tourist islets in Ben Tre is the traditional wooden boat, known as “xuồng ba lá.” With just this simple boat, the boatman will take you drifting along the picturesque Tien River.

You can listen to the stories of the people in this rural area.

The lush green coconut trees lining both sides of the river will be your “companions” throughout the tour. The sound of the waves lapping against the boat and the chirping of birds in the clear blue sky will also help you feel more relaxed!

4.2. Visit the coconut candy village

Ben Tre is known as the land of coconuts. Therefore, the locals are always creative and develop various products from coconuts. Among them, the most famous is probably Ben Tre coconut candy – a specialty found in every corner of the S-shaped land. Currently, it has over 180 coconut candy production facilities scattered throughout the province. Each year, Ben Tre supplies tens of thousands of tons of coconut candy to the market to meet the demands of the people.

You can experience how to make the coconut candy.

An interesting experience you should not miss when taking the tour of the four islets in Ben Tre is visiting the coconut candy-making villages. When you arrive at these coconut candy villages, you will witness firsthand the processing methods of the people of Ben Tre. Additionally, you can enjoy authentic coconut candy right at the production workshop. Don’t forget to buy a few packs of coconut candy as gifts for your friends and colleagues!

4.3. Enjoy amateur music

Đờn ca tài tử is a form of folk art characteristic of the people from the Mekong Delta region. Notably, this art form has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

 Đờn ca tài tử, one of the specialties in the art of reformed theater.

This is a form that carries the traditional artistic value of the nation, which has existed and developed for over 100 years.

When you listen to the melodies of Đờn ca tài tử at the four tourist islets in Ben Tre, you will certainly gain a deeper understanding of the culture and art of the Mekong Delta. This is because the artists use music to express their feelings and the “breath” of the traditions of this riverine region.

4.4. Explore the fruit garden

According to my experience, the four tourist islets in Ben Tre all boast vast fruit orchards. Therefore, during your one-day tour in Ben Tre, you will be immersed in the cool green space of these orchards.

Ben Tre fruit garden

Ben Tre durian and many famous fruits of Vietnam.

Additionally, the poetic scenery in the orchards provides a stunning backdrop for your photos. Moreover, you can even pick the sweet fruits yourself and enjoy them right in the garden!

4.5. Visit the Coconut Religion relic (Đạo Dừa)

Đạo Dừa historical site on Phung Islet is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Ben Tre. The total area of the Đạo Dừa architectural complex is over 1,500 square meters. The tour of this site will take you to explore towers, models of mountains, caves, and pavilions that are arranged in a very organized manner right at the entrance.

Đạo Dừa

Next is the Nine Dragons Courtyard, which features nine intricately carved pillars. In the area of worship (the Nine Dragons Courtyard), there is also an incense burner placed on the back of the Golden Turtle holding a divine sword, which is very eye-catching. Don’t forget to read the brief biography of the founder of Đạo Dừa, which is engraved on the incense burner!