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We 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.

Maison du Pays is one of the best homestays in the Mekong delta area, they also have great food and overall it has a very good value for money, in fact people go there from Ho Chi Min just to stay for one night but mainly to sample their food which as i said is top quality.

House: WiFi was blazing fast, more than 140mbps for both download and upload. Particularly surprising for the middle of nowhere. Would be an excellent work-from-anywhere option if there was air-conditioning. It can be absolutely sweltering in daytime. Honestly, I would have no qualms paying 50% more for the climatic comfort Ambience: Amidst actual coconut farms and away from the core of Ben Tre, Coco Happy Farm is the genuine rustic Viet experience. Host: As a former tour guide, Thuan speaks excellent English. His warmth and hospitality far exceed the (modest) price tag of his homestay. Harking back to his younger days, Thuan doubles up as our guide for both the cycling and boat tours. Born and bred in Ben Tre, Thuan is the knowledgable local expert. Point at any random object within a dozen miles and he's guaranteed to know it's purpose and backstory. Beyond knowledge, Thuan is genuinely invested in sharing his people's unique culture and struggles, providing a novel dimension to an ordinary holiday. Cycling Tour: A complimentary (yes, it's free) 5-hour bike/scooter tour through Thuan's humble little village. At a leisurely pace, we were introduced to local agriculture (Thuan is a farmer too), folk religion (dropping by a small shrine), business practices, state-organized Buddhism (where we visited an immaculate temple) and local life (stopping by a wet market) The best part was: zero tourists in sight (except us, of course) In terms of authencity, this tour was in a league of it's own. In terms of value, this (free, I should reiterate) tour paid for the room rate many times over. Boat Tour: At USD70 (1pax)/ USD90 (3pax) for a private tour, Thuan's rates are very reasonable. There were tourists here but definitely not "touristy". Overall an impeccably organized (we never had to wait for anything) and minimally commercialized glimpse into local customs and industries.

Amazing experience, a very local area. Perfect if you want to experience the real local life in Mekong Delta. Amy, the owner, was very kind and helpful.