The Coconut Religion was founded in 1963 by Vietnamese scholar Nguyen Thanh Nam (1901-1990). Nam, who attended a French university, established a floating pagoda near the Phung (Phoenix) Island on the Mekong River, in the southern province of Ben Tre. It is alleged that Nam consumed only coconuts for three years; for that period he also practiced meditation on a small pavement made from stone.

According to an official estimate, the Coconut Religion has 3,516 followers in the Mekong Delta's Dinh Tuong Province.

The Coconut Monk, appearances notwithstanding, is not the product of an Oriental fairy tale. In fact he is a former well-to-do French-educated engineer. Since his retirement from engineering he has been especially attracted to publicity, Jesus, Buddha and the meat and juice of coconuts. It is believed that he subsists, as a coconut vegetarian, on nothing but coconuts.

Today, the ruins of the Coconut Religion have been still preserved relatively intact over an area of 1.500m2 on the Phoenix Island.

Located in the center of the "holy land" is the Nine Dragons courtyard where Coconut devotees practice rituals.

The Peace Tower is the architectural ensemble of mountains, caves, towers ... This is where the Coconut Monk practices rituals.

The 9-floor tower, where the spirits of heaven and earth converge.

The 9-floor tower, where the spirits of heaven and earth converge.

The Peace Tower is the architectural ensemble of mountains, caves, towers ... This is where the Coconut Monk practices rituals.

Opposite the nine-floor tower is an Earth model on a lotus, symbolizing the desire for peace in the world.

The two towers named "Northern Hanoi" and "Southern Saigon", symbolizing the South and North of Vietnam. The two towers are connected by a bridge, expressing the desire to unify the country.

The roof of the North tower is where the Coconut Monk practices meditation. 

Not far from the Peace Tower is an Apollo spaceship-inspired tower.

Not far from the Peace Tower is an Apollo spaceship-inspired tower.

This tower shows the dream to conquer the universe as well as the tolerance of the Coconut Religion.

The Gate and bell tower of the Nam Quoc Phat temple - the old name of the Coconut Religion monument complex.

This Gate is adapted from the gate of the Hue Imperial Citadel.

Near the Gate is a large urn.

A marble piece carved with the name of the Coconut Monk and those who helped him build the monument.

A path in the monument named after Le Van Duyet - a mandarin of the Nguyen dynasty.

The Coconut Monk was arrested in 1958 for opposing Ngo Dinh Diem administration. He also ran for the presidency in South Vietnam in 1968.