Up this morning being better from a little more sleep; we chill in the room before gaining the courage to leave as we get hungry

We go to đa:mê cafe for a couple of cappuccino and croissant combos

After here, we hunt for a more substantial meal; keeping in the local area, we eventually select Elegant Restaurant for a Hawaiian pizza

Next, we get a Grab taxi and head West of the centre, down the river, to Thiên Mụ Pagoda

It’s a short drive but our driver organises to wait for us to take us back – might as well give him some business

The place is up some steps and close to the water so not too hot

This and the structure closest behind the seven-story Pagoda is one of the oldest buildings here, from 1601

The bell beside was added to the complex after this, in 1701 – the whole area was created over four centuries

Another part of the place has a zen garden with Coi fish and even a chicken in a tree (under the roof in the back of the photo below)

Dave overhears, with one of the many tours going around here, that when we’ve frequently seen water bottles around shrines, it’s people offering this to Buddha and hoping to exchange for his holy water

We learn that this is where some history meets: in HCMC’s Reunification Palace, there was an exhibit about the struggles Vietnam has suffered under the emperor/dictatorship in the 20th century

In rebellion against some of the preventions that were introduced, such as impeding the ability to be Buddhist, people were setting themselves on fire

Well, one of these heroic monks, who set himself on fire was a resident from here and this was the car that was used: there’s a grave at the back of this complex dedicated to this individual as well

We do a loop of the area and head back down to the waterfront

Next, we go back to our ride which takes us back to our hotel where we do a little work and wait out the heat for a bit

Getting hungry, we get ready and make our way out to Ngon’ Craft Beer and Cocktails (which is also a restaurant too)

Turns out it’s a very new place so we star in a photoshoot as they serve us our starters of local delights: fresh spring rolls with pork and Hue lemongrass skewering pork

We also have a chicken curry

Filled, we wander around looking for a decent ATM and then make our way back to our place the final time and have a chill early evening