Province de Ben Tre, Phung island

Phung island (cồn Phụng) in the north coastline of Ben Tre Province is famous with the Coconut Monk (Ông Đạo Dừa- Nguyen Thanh Nam: 1909-1990). After studing chemistry in France, he devised a new religion- a fusion of Buddhism and Christianity known as Tinh Do Cu Si. It was alleged that he spent three years meditating and eating nothing but coconuts.