Day Two The Perfume River, Tombs and Pagodas

Day two was planned to be easier on the feet and we headed off to the river in order to get a price for a boat to take us up the river to a couple of tombs and pagoda.

After a bit of negotiation, we ended up with about a 5 to 6hr cruise up the river before actually seeing the boat. The cost for the day was 1,800,000VND approx AU$110 for 5 people we were then swiftly handed a menu for lunch and then charged extra for lunch at $100,000 VND approx AU$6 each.

The boat headed off across the river and to an awaiting boat which swiftly arrived out from the river bank to take our hostess to the market whilst we did a slow u-turn in the river.

As you can see this was no luxury cruise we had a choice of six beautiful red plastic chairs conveniently placed on each side of the vessel for maximum viewing and finely balanced to stop the vessel listing to one side. The flooring was also tastefully presented in faux timber sticky backed plastic. Not alarmed but just dismayed we set off to the sound of a large diesel engine 10' behind us. Should have bought the earplugs.

After about an hour we neared the first stop Tu Duc Tomb Lăng Tự Đức Khiêm Lăng. I had thought that this site was close to the river or even on the river but our boat moored/slowly rammed the river bank and we were guided to get off and take a short hike. We were previously asked if we wanted a motorbike to take us but I declined that's not needed. We had approx 1hr and 15 minutes to be back at the boat. 20 minutes later after a wrong turn, a hike thru industrial wasteland and heading after tourist coaches we hoped were heading for the same place we bought our tickets to enter the tomb site. This then gave us about 40 minutes to hike around for our "seen it done it bit".

After getting back on the boat about 10 minutes late we headed off a little further up the river to the 

Minh Mang Tomb Lăng Minh Mạng. 

This was to be our lunch stop but after we had gone off for a walk.

Lunch was ready for us back on the boat and the chairs had been rearranged around a small table. We had all chosen something different and the food was hot, tasty and sufficient along with some fresh fruit and cold drinks.

Now heading downstream the boat went a bit faster and we headed for the Thien Mu Pagoda

Chùa Thiên Mụ.

The pagoda is actually operating as a temple and therefore does not charge an admission fee.

Arriving back in town we headed off back to the hotel for some rest.

The search for an evening meal ended up with Harry having a hair cut.


Not sure where we ate but ended up having Chop Chop Ice Cream.