About the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre
Ho Chi Minh City and Ben Tre are about 85 to 90 kilometers apart, and the drive usually takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours depending on traffic and the type of transport. There is no train and no airport in Ben Tre, so the only way to get there is by road. The route leaves the city on the Trung Luong Expressway, passes My Tho, then follows National Highway 60 across the Rach Mieu bridge into Ben Tre (now part of Vinh Long province).
This is a short and simple transfer rather than a scenic journey. The road is flat, fast, and mostly functional, so do not expect much of the Mekong Delta from the bus window. The real delta scenery, the canals, coconut groves, and small river villages, starts once you are actually in Ben Tre. One thing that used to slow this trip was the single Rach Mieu bridge, a well-known bottleneck. A second bridge opened in 2025, which has eased the worst of the jams, though weekends and holidays can still be busy at the crossing.
Ben Tre is known as the Coconut Kingdom, a quieter and more rural part of the Mekong Delta than nearby My Tho. It is a place of coconut groves, narrow canals, and small workshops rather than big sights, which is exactly why many travelers like it. It works well as a relaxed day trip from the city, but also as an overnight stay in a homestay or riverside lodge for a slower experience.
Find out what to see and where to stay in our Ben Tre travel guide.
Tip: Visit Ben Tre on a day tour with Local Vietnam
If you mainly want to experience Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta without arranging one-way transport or staying overnight, a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is often the easier choice. Our Mekong Delta day tour to Ben Tre includes transport, a boat trip through the canals, and a return to the city the same day.
Option 1: Limousine van
Why choose a limousine van
For most travelers, a limousine van is the easiest way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre. These are small vans with around 9 to 16 seats, more comfortable and quicker than a standard coach. Many companies pick you up from the city center or a nearby office instead of sending you to a distant bus station, which saves time and hassle. They run often throughout the day, so you do not need to plan far ahead, and the price is still low for what you get.
How it works
You book a seat with one of the limousine operators that run from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre, such as Phuong Trang (FUTA), Thinh Phat, or Thao Chau. Depending on the company, you are either picked up in District 1 or 5, or you go to their office in the city. The van then drives straight to Ben Tre, usually dropping you in or near the city center. Departures run regularly from early morning until evening, often around once an hour.
Cost, travel time, and booking
A limousine van from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre takes around 1.5 to 2 hours and costs roughly 90,000 to 150,000 VND (about $4 to $6) per person. You can book through the operators’ own websites, or through platforms like 12Go, which is the easiest place to compare tourist van options in English. For local buses and more domestic operators, Vexere lists more choices, though it is mainly in Vietnamese. In busy periods it is worth booking a day ahead to secure a seat and a convenient pickup time.
Read more about how buses work and how to book tickets in Vietnam.
Option 2: Private car with driver
Why choose a private car
A private car is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre. With a direct route and no other passengers, the trip takes around 1.5 hours door to door. You are picked up at your hotel and dropped exactly where you need to be in Ben Tre, whether that is a hotel, a homestay, or a riverside lodge. This option suits families, small groups, and anyone traveling with more luggage, or anyone who simply prefers comfort over saving a few dollars.
How it works
You hire a car with a driver for the route, choosing the vehicle size based on your group. The driver collects you at your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City and takes you straight to Ben Tre. This is a transfer, not a guided tour, so the driver will not act as a guide, but you can usually ask to stop along the way for a break or a quick photo. Tell the driver in advance if there is somewhere specific you want to stop.
See how this works in our guide to renting a car with a driver in Vietnam.
Cost and who it is for
Prices depend on the vehicle and the company, but expect around 1,400,000 to 1,600,000 VND (roughly $55 to $65) for the car, not per person. A four-seat car sits at the lower end, a seven-seat at the higher end. Split between a few people, the cost per person is not far above a limousine van, which makes a private car good value for families or small groups who want a direct, door-to-door trip.
Option 3: Local bus from Mien Tay station
How it works
The cheapest way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre is a standard coach from Mien Tay bus station. Buses run frequently throughout the day and drop you in the center of Ben Tre. You can buy a ticket at the station on the day, or book in advance with operators like Phuong Trang. The buses are basic but fine for such a short ride, with air conditioning and reclining seats on most services.
Cost and the trade-off
A standard bus costs around 70,000 to 100,000 VND (about $3 to $4), only slightly cheaper than a limousine van. The catch is the location of Mien Tay bus station, which sits in the far west of Ho Chi Minh City. Getting there from the center can take 30 to 45 minutes plus a taxi fare, which often cancels out the saving. For that reason, a limousine van with city-center pickup is usually the smarter choice, unless you are already near the station.
What about going by motorbike
Riding a motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre is possible, but it is not a route worth doing for the ride itself. The fast Trung Luong Expressway does not allow motorbikes, so you would have to take the older National Highway 1, which is busy, heavy with trucks, and not scenic. There is little reason to choose this over a cheap, comfortable van. Riding only makes sense if you are already touring the Mekong Delta by motorbike and continuing onward, in which case the delta’s smaller back roads, not the highway, are the real appeal.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre
The best way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre depends mainly on your budget and how you are traveling. Here is a simple way to choose:
Limousine van – the easiest choice for most travelers, with city-center pickup, low cost, and frequent departures.
Private car with driver – best for families, small groups, or anyone who wants a fast, direct, door-to-door trip and does not mind paying more.
Local bus from Mien Tay station – only worth it if you are on a tight budget and already near the station, since the savings over a van are small.
Day tour – the better choice if you only want to experience Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta and return to Ho Chi Minh City the same day.
For most travelers, the choice is simple: book a limousine van for an easy, low-cost trip, or a private car if you want comfort and speed. Either way, getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre is one of the most straightforward journeys in the south.
