Alluvia Cocoa Farm Chocolate Factory – A Tour to The Chocolate World

In Roald Dahl’s classic book, Charlie visits Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and his life has changed ever since. That is to say, following the journey that a cocoa bean undergoes to become the loved confection that hits virtually every store’s shelf in the world is nothing short of a wondrous experience. If you are a chocolate aficionado, we recommend a day tour to Alluvia Cocoa Farm & Chocolate Factory – a hotspot with its own chocolatey personality. This article will help keep your trip to Alluvia seamless and clear any confusion off your mind with detailed guides on transportation to the factory, a standard itinerary, and suggestions for further fun-filled activities in the Mekong region, so read on!

What is there on offer?

As the concept of artisanal, bean-to-bar chocolate has been growing in popularity all over the world, Alluvia has come into the market with the one and only goal – capturing the unique taste of Vietnam in its delicious bars. With a two-hectare-wide area and plenty of cocoa-doused goodies, Alluvia’s cocoa farm is truly a heaven for the sweet-toothed. For the chocolate historians among us, there is no better place to be: here you can learn more about the cocoa beans that have grown out of the fertile Mekong Delta’s soil and uncover the secrets of the chocolate-making process. 

The alluvium is a material rich in organic matter, containing silt, sand, clay, and gravel. The mineral-rich soil of the Mekong region is filled with this natural substance and yields premium cocoa beans that have a distinct flavor of light butter and sweet fruits. Coming to Alluvia Farm, you can hand-pick these special cocoa beans if they are in season and plant a cocoa sapling under the abundant rows of coconut groves and fruit-bearing trees. This farm is nestled in the Mekong River under the shades of high-rising bamboo trees, which also makes for a good opportunity to explore the serene countryside of Vietnam and a get-away from the hectic city life.

The alchemy of chocolate crafting is a delicate and complicated process that not everyone can master. Put your skills to the test at Alluvia Factory after the harvest, where cocoa beans are transformed into ready-to-eat bars through various steps, including fermentation, roasting, and drying. The factory produces around 1,000 bars of chocolate every day so there are plenty of chances to nibble on their chocolate samples – there is something for everyone, whether you are into the traditional dark and milky bars or the new flavors of chili, cashew, ginger, and pepper. 

The technical (but necessary) guide on transportation to Cho Gao

If you are a bit lost on how to get to Cho Gao District from Saigon, worry no more. There are two main ways to travel to Alluvia depending on your needs. The first and easiest option is by motorbike or car, but the service bus is definitely a go-to in case you can use neither. Moreover, a bus ride helps to prevent the fatigue of driving long distances. Take a bus from the city’s center to Cho Gao Bus Station and then continue on to the carrier’s shuttle bus, which will take you straight to Alluvia Cocoa Farm and Chocolate Factory:

•         Tan Lap Thanh Bus:

– Ticket price: 60,000 VND/person

– From 3:30 AM, the trip departs after every 30 minutes until 7:30 PM

– Pick up point: Station 27-29 An Diem, Ward 10, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

– Drop off point: Cho Gao Station

– Contact: Tien Giang: 0273 366 7777 | Saigon: 0286 673 9977

•         Hung Hieu Coach:

– Ticket price: 60,000 VND/person

– Departs from 5:00 AM, the last trip is at 8:30 PM

– Pick up point: 173 An Duong Vuong, Ward 8, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

– Drop off point: Cho Gao Station

– Contact: My Tho: 0273 395 6666 | Ho Chi Minh City: 0283 853 5599

These two companies offer a shuttle service to Alluvia. Make sure to notify the driver of the service. The price of the shuttle bus is 25,000 VND/person.

A full-day itinerary in our cocoa farm

Alluvia Cocoa Farm & Chocolate Factory is located 100 kilometers to the north of Saigon in Cho Gao District, Tien Giang Province. Its vast fields and plantations write the story of Alluvia, a two-generation family who has been specializing in bean-to-bar chocolates for over 14 years. A typical itinerary for the day starts when the farm owners show visitors about the cultivation of cocoa trees, the harvesting of cocoa pods, and gain more understanding about our bean-to-bar process. A free tasting session of various chocolate products then follows to boost up everyone’s energy. With a small fee, you can enjoy fresh coconut juice in the garden while picking your own cocoa beans and planting some new seeds.

A tour to Alluvia Factory wraps up the day nicely as you can observe how high-quality chocolate is produced and even pour your own batch of sweets! At this point even more cocoa-based confectionaries are available to satisfy your cravings – because there’s no such thing as too much when it comes to chocolate!

Special activities such as fishing on a bridge made from the trunks of coconut trees, crafting chocolate in themed workshops, or drawing by chocolate are always a good bet if you come with kids.

Tour fee: 

 – DIY: Including entrance ticket, Vietnamese tour guide , and chocolate-making fee | 200,000 VND/pax (8.6 USD/pax).

You can find more details about the group option here: Weekend Getaway & Become Chocolate Artisan

Inbox on Messenger to reserve your spot.

Since you are already here, what else in the area…

Why not make use of the time and explore the Mekong Delta? Known as the “Nine Dragons” of Vietnam and the world’s twelfth longest river, this region boasts a vast maze of waterways, rice paddies, and tropical groves. The Delta is a great gateway to discover the Vietnamese countryside, so let’s start with:

– Paddling on a Sampan:

The locals scattered around the river banks live their lives by the water. Get yourself onto a narrowboat (sampan) and float through the Delta’s high-rising palm trees, diverse mangroves, and stilt houses. 

– Stopping at a floating market:

Cai Rang and Phong Dien (Can Tho Province), Nga Bay (Hau Giang Province), Nga Nam (Soc Trang Province) and Tran On (Vinh Long Province) are some of the most frequently visited floating markets in the Delta. Be an early bird as they only open from 3-4 AM in the morning until 6 AM since the majority of the merchants also need to work in the fields. Here local goods, such as dried fruits, spices, and candies, are top-tier for a quick snack or as souvenirs!

Check out theculturetrip for more information on floating markets, how to bargain, and what to buy once you get there, visit:  

– Buying more fruits:

Since we are a tropical country, fruits are always on offer. Stay healthy by dropping by Cai Be Fruit Orchard, where a dozen kinds of tropical fruits are grown and sold, including pomelo, water coconut, mango, star apple, jackfruit, and durian, to name but a few. If you go to a local garden, you can even pick these fruits straight from the trees and bring them home. 

You can book your own Sampan and explore the Delta’s canals, floating markets, and coconut villages on getyourguide.

Learning about the history of the cocoa beans and the art of hand-crafting chocolate products is a great way to enrich your experience and make life sweeter, so what are you waiting for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alluvia is a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer in Vietnam. The brand handcrafts chocolate products from cocoa beans of the alluvial Mekong Delta’s soil, capturing the taste of Vietnam in each bar of greatness. To purchase Alluvia’s products or book a tour to the Alluvia Cocoa Farm and Chocolate Factory, please contact Alluvia on Messenger.

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