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Photograph to come · Wide view of the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang and its grounds

Vietnam Pilgrimages

Hanoi, La Vang, Trà Kiệu, Ho Chi Minh City and the Shrines of the Vietnamese Martyrs

Thirteen days the length of Vietnam, from the cathedrals of Hanoi and the Catholic villages of Nam Định to Our Lady of La Vang, the shrine at Trà Kiệu, and the tomb of Father Diệp deep in the Mekong Delta.

Departures

Current Tours to Vietnam

Upcoming departures to Vietnam. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
    The Route

    Thirteen stops the length of Vietnam

    Hanoi, Bắc Ninh, Nam Định, Ninh Bình, Ha Long Bay, Huế, La Vang, Hội An, Ho Chi Minh City, Vũng Tàu, Vĩnh Long, Cần Thơ and Bạc Liêu.

    Itinerary · AS_VN-13D-01

    Our Standard Vietnam Pilgrimage

    Thirteen days, arriving in Hanoi and departing from Ho Chi Minh City, with three nights in the capital and two internal flights carrying the pilgrimage south through Huế and Hội An to Saigon and the delta. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

    DAYS 1–5

    Hanoi, and the Churches of the North

    Photograph to come · St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi
    St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, the oldest standing church in the city.
    Day 1

    Depart the United States

    We depart on our overnight flight to Hanoi. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
    Day 2

    Arrival in Hanoi

    Our driver meets us at Noi Bai International Airport and accompanies us to the hotel for check-in. This evening we gather for a welcome dinner to begin our pilgrimage together.Overnight in Hanoi.
    Day 3

    Hanoi & Bắc Ninh

    We visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the oldest standing church in Hanoi, raised under the French and modelled on Notre-Dame de Paris, then the Ho Chi Minh Complex and the One Pillar Pagoda, with pho and egg coffee for lunch. In the afternoon we drive to Bắc Ninh and Ngam Gao Parish Church, tied to the Servant of God Marcel Nguyễn Tân Văn.Mass is celebrated at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.
    Day 4

    Nam Định & Ninh Bình

    We drive into Nam Định, a province of deep Catholic roots, to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Phú Nhai, among the largest churches in Vietnam, and to Kien Lao Church. In the afternoon we come to Phát Diệm Cathedral, built of stone and wood in a blend of Vietnamese and Catholic form.Mass is celebrated at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Phú Nhai. Dinner and overnight in Ninh Bình.
    Day 5

    Ha Long Bay

    We travel to the coast for a boat trip across Ha Long Bay, among the limestone islands that rise straight out of the water, and visit Thiên Cung Cave and its lit chambers of stalactites. In the evening we return to Hanoi.Mass is celebrated at a local parish church in Hanoi. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.
    DAYS 6–8

    La Vang, Trà Kiệu and the Imperial Centre

    Photograph to come · The ruined tower of the old church at La Vang
    The Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang, the national Marian shrine of Vietnam.
    Day 6

    Huế & La Vang

    We fly south to Huế and travel out in the afternoon to La Vang, where Our Lady is believed to have appeared in 1798 to Catholics hiding from persecution. We see the ruins of the old church, destroyed in the war, and pray a Rosary walk at the basilica raised in its place.Mass is celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang. Dinner and overnight in Huế.
    Day 7

    Huế, Trà Kiệu & Hội An

    We visit Phủ Cam Cathedral, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Imperial Citadel begun in 1805, with its Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and Nine Dynastic Urns. After lunch we drive to the Shrine of Our Lady of Trà Kiệu, set in an old Catholic village where Mary is held to have protected the faithful under persecution.Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Trà Kiệu. Dinner and overnight in Hội An.
    Day 8

    Đà Nẵng & Ho Chi Minh City

    We fly from Đà Nẵng to Ho Chi Minh City and visit St. Philip the Apostle Church, known as Huyen Sy Church, built early in the twentieth century by the Catholic benefactor Philippe Le Phat Dat. We continue to the red-brick Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and to Independence Palace.Mass is celebrated at St. Philip the Apostle Church. Dinner and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
    DAYS 9–11

    Saigon, the Coast and the Delta

    Photograph to come · The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Ho Chi Minh City
    The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Ho Chi Minh City.
    Day 9

    Vũng Tàu

    We drive to the coast at Vũng Tàu, first to the Shrine of Our Lady of Bai Dau on its quiet hillside above the sea, then to Christ the King, one of the largest statues of Our Lord in Asia, which stands on Mount Nhỏ with the sea and the city below.Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Bai Dau. Dinner and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
    Day 10

    Vĩnh Long & Cần Thơ

    We begin at Ky Dong Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Redemptorist house in Vietnam, then travel into the delta to Vĩnh Long for the Vietnam Martyrs’ Pilgrimage Center and Đình Khao, the ground where St. Philípphê Phan Văn Minh was put to death. We continue to Cần Thơ for the evening.Mass is celebrated at St. Philípphê Phan Văn Minh Church. Dinner and overnight in Cần Thơ.
    Day 11

    Bạc Liêu

    We drive to Tắc Sậy Church at Bạc Liêu and pray at the tomb of Blessed Phanxicô Xaviê Trương Bửu Diệp, who gave his life for his parishioners in 1946 and whose grave draws Catholics and people of other faiths from every corner of the country.Mass is celebrated at Tắc Sậy Church. Dinner and overnight in Cần Thơ.
    DAYS 12–13

    The Floating Market, and Home

    Photograph to come · Tắc Sậy Church at Bạc Liêu, the tomb of Father Diệp
    Tắc Sậy Church at Bạc Liêu, where Father Diệp is buried.
    Day 12

    Cần Thơ & Ho Chi Minh City

    We rise early for a boat out to the Cái Răng Floating Market, where the delta has traded from its boats at dawn for generations, and visit the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After lunch we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for our farewell dinner.Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Cần Thơ. Farewell dinner and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
    Day 13

    Return Home

    After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our return flight home, with hearts renewed by the witness of the Vietnamese martyrs and the intercession of Our Lady of La Vang.

    Why leaders choose Canterbury

    “Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

    Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
    Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
    IMMERSIVE PHOTOGRAPH
    The Basilica of Our Lady of La VangWhere Our Lady is believed to have appeared to Catholics in hiding in 1798.
    Dates

    Your group travels on its own dates.

    Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

    Your pilgrimage includes

    Tour Package Includes

    These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

    • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
    • Round-trip group airfare
    • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
    • 4-Star hotel accommodations
    • Private motorcoach transportation
    • Breakfast & dinner served daily
    • Wine served with some dinners
    • Dedicated tour manager
    • Licensed guiding & admission fees
    • Porterage service at hotels
    • Whisper headsets when touring
    • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
    • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
    • 24/7 travel emergency support
    • Canterbury Mobile App
    For the group leader

    What you get as the group leader

    You travel free.

    Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

    No financial risk.

    If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

    We produce the promotional materials.

    Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

    We handle your pilgrims.

    Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

    In your pocket

    The Canterbury Mobile App

    Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

    • Group chat

      Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

    • Their itinerary

      The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

    • Hotels

      Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

    • Flights

      Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

    • Daily prayers

      The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

    • Shrine passport

      A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

    • Live updates

      Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

    Photographs
    Photograph to come · The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Phú Nhai
    The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Phú Nhai, Nam Định.
    Photograph to come · Phát Diệm Cathedral, Ninh Bình
    Phát Diệm Cathedral, built of stone and wood in Ninh Bình.
    Photograph to come · The limestone islands of Ha Long Bay
    The limestone islands of Ha Long Bay.
    Photograph to come · The Shrine of Our Lady of Trà Kiệu
    The Shrine of Our Lady of Trà Kiệu, in its old Catholic village.
    Photograph to come · Christ the King above the sea at Vũng Tàu
    Christ the King, standing above the sea at Vũng Tàu.
    Photograph to come · The Cái Răng Floating Market on the Mekong
    The Cái Răng Floating Market on the Mekong Delta.

    What group leaders say

    “They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

    Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
    Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
    Before you ask

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?

    Vietnam runs a long way north to south and no single month is ideal everywhere. Groups most often travel between late September and April, when the north is cool and dry, and February through April is the most settled stretch for the whole route. The summer months are hot and wet, and the central coast around Huế and Hội An takes its heaviest rain from September into November.

    How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

    Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

    What is generally not included?

    Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

    Do I need a passport or visa for Vietnam?

    A United States passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is required, with blank pages for stamps. Vietnam does require a visa of United States passport holders, and most pilgrims use the electronic visa applied for online before departure. We send each group the current instructions and the application window well ahead of travel.

    Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

    Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

    How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

    Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

    Enquire

    Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to Vietnam?

    A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

      Your Information

      Your Group

      First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

      Where You Would Like to Go

      Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

      These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

      Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

      When

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      A Few Last Details

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