2011, DEC 13: VIETNAM, HO CHI MINH CITY-E

We left our hotel at 8:30 a.m. for the Mekong Delta area. The breadbasket of Vietnam, Mekong Delta accounts for about 50 percent of the nation’s rice production. Also it produces sugar cane, vegetables, fruit, and fish.

On the way, we stopped at Vinh Trang Pagoda, located behind outside Mytho City. The exterior of the pagoda is accentuated with glazed tiles.

A giant statue of Lord Buddha stands across the road, in front. Another large statue of Happy Buddha is situated in the front garden of the Pagoda.

Inside, the main shrine is dedicated to the Buddha with an electric radiating halo.

There are also subsidiary shrines which have been dedicated to important monks related to the Pagoda.

One shrine serves as a memorial, and it displays urns containing remains of some monks. Also, it has pictures of some deceased individuals.

Then we proceeded to the pier to board a boat to explore the Mekong Delta. Many other boats waited for tourists.

First we went across the river to an island, where besides other people we met a family from Malaysia.

Also we tasted fresh fruit and various honey-laced products, did some souvenir shopping, and enjoyed live ethnic music.

Next we cruised to another island, where we sampled food products made from palm trees.

Then we took a pony-cart ride to a point where we boarded a small boat to negotiate through
a small muddy stream back to our large boat for the return trip across the river.