Northern Vietnam Catholic Pilgrimage

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

You will be greeted at the airport by our guide and driver and transferred directly to your hotel. Rest of the day is free at your own pace.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI CITY DISCOVERY (B/L/D)

Today we will take a city tour including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Mondays and Fridays closed), His House on Stilt, Van Mieu – the first university of Vietnam.

Especially, Saint Joseph’s Cathedral. Saint Joseph Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. The church was built in 1886 in the neo-gothic style. It holds several masses throughout the day and is usually crowded on weekends and religious holidays. Have lunch in the local restaurant. Then you have free time to explore Hanoi by your way. Enjoy Water Puppet Show of Vietnamese traditional art before having your dinner.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – NINH BINH – TRANG AN (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we depart to Ninh Binh which is a tourist center with many attractions. Take a boat trip along the stream between rice paddy to visit Trang An complex where the limestone ranges, valleys and rivers fuses intertwined to create a magical space, mysterious surprise ever for you.

Then it depends on time, we can take time to visit Ancient capital of Hoa Lu Temples and Bai Dinh Pagoda.

Hoa Lư was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. It lies in Truong Yen Thuong village, Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province. The area is one of ricefields broken by picturesque limestone mountains.

Bái Đính pagoda is a complex of Buddhist temples on Bai Dinh Mountain in Gia Viễn District, Ninh Bình Province. The compound consists of the original old temple and a newly created larger temple.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

DAY 4: PHAT DIEM STONE CHURCH – HANOI (B/L/D)

In the morning, drive to Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, which was built from 1875 to 1899 by Priest Tran Luc and Catholics in Ninh Binh. Rated as one of the mostbeautiful church in Vietnam, Phat Diem Cathedral is like the “Catholic capital” of Vietnam. This is a large building and the cathedral church of the diocese of Phat Diem vast in northern Vietnam. The church is built entirely of stone and wood. Now, there is Priest’s Grave in front of the Church. The feature of thisbuilding is modeled on the architecture of the traditional temples in Vietnam inspite of Catholic Church.

After that, we depart to visit Chau Son Monastery (built in 1939)  is a monastery of the Xitô, located in Phu Son commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province.

Chau Son Monastery is located in a quiet mountain forest. What is special about the Chau Son Cathedral is that it is designed in the style of Gothic architecture with the main material is a red brick so this is a unique beauty is unique in the north. The walls are about 0.6 m thick, with columns 1.2 m thick that create warmth in winter and cool in summer.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 5: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

Morning depart to Ha long Bay, which is considered the 8th wonder of the world. Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before beginning cruise through the bay. Lunch served while cruising among hundreds of islets (Dinh Huong islet, Ga Choi – Fighting Cock islet, Dog islet, Finger islet, etc.) to discover unspoiled pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot cave, one of the most imposing grottoes of the Bay. Swim at Soi Sim beach or Titov beach or a short trek to the top of Titov mountain for a magnificent panorama scenery. Enjoy dinner with fresh seafood on board. Relax or chatting with partner, friends, family.

Overnight on Halong cruise.

DAY 6: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L/D)

For early risers complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and cake are served. Visit Luon cave on small bamboo boat paddle by out crew staff and enjoy the quiet atmosphere enclosed by high islets and mountains. Be back to our Huong Hai Junk. Sail past rock formations such as Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet, Butterfly cave, Lion islet, Bai Tho mountain, enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the way back to Ha Long city, etc. Check out on boat at around 10.00 am. Enjoy lunch as boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations. Arrive back at Ha Long city around noon time for disembarkation, return to Hanoi for your overnight stay.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 7: HANOI DEPARTURE

Free at leisure till transferring to airport for your flight home. End of your Northern Vietnam Catholic Pilgrimage.