Homestay Xóm Dừa Nước

We borrowed the homestay’s bikes and cycled around Ben Tre during our two-night stay. We also took a three-hour boat trip, which was wonderful. It stopped at a village where people were making coconut candy, honey, and chocolate. At a local restaurant we tried a very local dish, fried mice, called ‘mice in the bush’. We can recommend it 👍🏻

The food portions are generous and the flavors are delicious. The menu is simple, with a decent choice, and they cater for vegetarian diets and allergies. The must-try is the freshly caught local Elephant ear fish from the Mekong, served on a wooden platter. There’s also a well-stocked fridge with soft drinks, water, and cold beer. Getting to the huts feels like a little journey through a softly lit, winding garden path, with flowers and coconut palms overhead. A tributary of the Mekong runs alongside, and boats can pick guests up there for a cruise. It’s also easy to head out into the Mekong Delta by taxi or on one of the free, well-kept bikes. The owners are a joy to meet and work hard to make the stay relaxing. The huts are spotless and cleaned every day. The air con is quiet and works well, and the extra fan is a bonus. Nights were uninterrupted apart from the sounds of local nature.

We came away from Ben Tre Farmstay feeling relaxed and well looked after. The staff were especially kind and helpful, even sorting out bus arrangements for our arrival and onward trip. The tours they arranged were authentic and well organized, a great way to see the Mekong Delta’s natural beauty and hidden corners. Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the whole property was well maintained with a welcoming feel. It’s surrounded by greenery and quiet rural scenery, which made it easy to enjoy the area’s atmosphere. Motorbikes were available to rent at fair rates, 150k VND for a full day or 100k VND for half a day, so we could explore at our own pace. A fantastic stay, highly recommended for visiting the Mekong Delta.

The area is very rural, and walking toward town takes you past village life and lovely trees. The rooms were clean, but the hospitality felt perfunctory and the water pressure was abysmal. I’d expected more from this place.