Night Time Temple Explorations on the Rivers Edge

Greetings!

I'm writing to you from Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in Vietnam. The other day while exploring the city, I came across a beautiful temple situated along one of the tributaries of the Saigon River.

I had walked by this temple a few days prior and made a mental note to return and explore it further. So when I had some free time, I made my way back. Arriving as the sun was setting, the temple took on a magical atmosphere with numerous colorful lanterns hanging up to light the grounds. The soothing smell of burning sandalwood incense filled the air.

People were kneeling in prayer all around as the full moon gradually made itself visible in the darkening sky. I attempted to take some photos of the moon, but they didn't turn out too clearly. However, I did manage to capture some lovely shots of the brightly-lit temple, flickering candles, and spirals of incense smoke drifting upwards.

I've included a few of those photos here for you to see. The rich orange glow blanketing the worn stone statues and tiered pagoda roofs was simply enchanting. It was a serene scene that I won't soon forget. I hope these images convey even a fraction of the tranquility and wonder I experienced there. Let me know what you think!