Can Tho to Ben Tre Drive: Routes, Stops & Tips

Before the first bridge, the only way from Can Tho to Ben Tre was a slow ferry across the Hau River. Today, you cross on the My Thuan Bridge, one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in Southeast Asia, but the delta's rhythm still sets the pace.

This guide covers how long to drive Can Tho to Ben Tre, whether is it worth driving Can Tho to Ben Tre, and the best stops Can Tho to Ben Tre. You'll also find things to do between Can Tho and Ben Tre, from orchards to riverside villages.

If you're looking for a more scenic way, the backroads through Vinh Long and Tra Vinh add kilometers but immerse you in the delta's orchards and rice paddies.

The delta's flat floodplains are crisscrossed by rivers and canals, where the water level rises by 2-4 meters in the wet season. The landscape is a mosaic of emerald rice fields, coconut palms, and fruit orchards, especially in Cho Lach, known as the 'fruit basket' of the Mekong Delta.

UNESCO added the 'Vinh Long – Ben Tre' limestone karst landscape to its tentative list in 2021 due to its unique cave ecosystems and biodiversity.

Local commerce thrives along the route. In Phong Dien, you'll find floating markets every morning until 8 AM. Along QL1A, roadside stalls sell pomelos, rambutans, and bags of 'banh phong' – crispy rice crackers, a speciality of Ben Tre.

The coconut candy workshops in Ben Tre offer free tours and tastings, providing a sweet insight into the local economy.

The most direct route (118 km) follows National Highway 1A south out of Can Tho across My Thuan Bridge to Vinh Long, then continues to Ben Tre on QL60. Expect about 2.5 hours without traffic.

• Fuel stations are frequent along QL1A; in rural stretches on QL60, plan for one every 30 km.
• Tolls: My Thuan Bridge costs VND 35,000 for cars (as of 2025), payable in cash or e-tag.
• Speed limits: 60-80 km/h on highways, 40 km/h in towns.

Backroads via Cai Be (ĐT885) add 30 km and one hour but offer narrow roads and the chance to see brick kilns and boat building. For those who seek hidden gems, check out this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

GPS coordinates: Start at Ninh Kieu Wharf (10.0333° N, 105.787° E), end at Ben Tre downtown (10.2333° N, 106.376° E).

The roads are generally well-paved but narrow in places, with bridges that require slower speeds. Watch for motorbikes and livestock crossing even on highways. At night, some sections lack street lighting, so a high-visibility reflective vest for stops is recommended.

• For families, the My Thuan Bridge viewpoint is a good photo stop, and the Coco Beach eco-tourism area in Ben Tre has a pool and playground.
• Pets are allowed at most coffee shops along the highway if you ask politely, but avoid crowded markets with nervous animals.

Take breaks every 1.5-2 hours at one of the many roadside rest stops or cafes. The 'Cai Be' floating market offers a chance to stretch legs and sample fresh fruit.

Hidden off-route spots include the Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho (10°22'N, 106°22'E), with its giant Buddha statues, and the mangrove forest in Thanh Phu (9°58'N, 106°34'E), a bird sanctuary accessible only by boat.