
From
AustraliaWe really enjoyed our stay at Vina Ecolife, but there are a couple of things future travelers should know. First, the hotel is located in Phu Le village, in Ben Tre Province, not Ben Tre City. Booking.com wasn’t clear about this — it’s about an hour’s drive from the city, so just be aware of the location if you’re planning your trip.
That said, the village itself is peaceful and charming and fun to cycle around with the free bikes the hotel provides. We had a fantastic meal at a local restaurant nearby (Tien Oc Hoi Xua), and the setting is ideal if you’re looking to experience authentic rural life in the Mekong Delta.
The real highlight was the staff — incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our stay. A special shoutout to Huan, who went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. She arranged transport, organised a brilliant tour to a Homestay on an island where we were warmly welcomed by the host family. We cut and drank fresh coconuts, cycled around the island, relaxed in hammocks with a cold beer, and enjoyed a sunset boat ride. She also took us to a nearby village to meet locals making bamboo baskets, and we shared green tea with them — a truly special experience.
Breakfast at the hotel was also great, with tasty local options. The only downside was that the air conditioning wasn’t quite powerful enough for the room, so it stayed a bit too warm, and there was no fridge, which would have been handy.
Overall, Vina Ecolife is a perfect spot if you’re looking to get off the beaten track and experience the local hospitality.