Bến Tre, Vietnam
I wanted to share a little about my upbringing in Bến Tre, Vietnam. Bến Tre is the capital city of Bến Tre Province, in the Mekong Delta area of southern Vietnam.
Everywhere in the region is tied by limitless coconut trees. From coconut trees, fruits, to water, locals make many foods to clothing from coconuts. Most famous specialty food that came out of Bến Tre is coconut candy. Loved nationwide, coconut candy is made of coconut water, malt syrup and sugar.
I can still remembering eating coconut candy when I lived in Vietnam, its semi sweet with a chewy texture. Kids would use it as a "currency" in exchange for goods.
(image from https://sanphamdacsan.com/Keo-Dua-Ben-Tre)
Bến Tre is bounded by coconut trees and during harvest season, every part of the coconut is used in producing goods. Apart from coconut candies, locals would turn coconut shell into hats, jewelry, handbags, and chopsticks.
I still remain fond of this place I once called home. I hope you all can visit one day!
i love this. My family is from Ben Tre province and I spend every Tet with my family there in Chau Thanh. As a family we farmed ( and still farm) coconuts. Every house needs at least a coconut tree or three!