Southern Vietnam Catholic Pilgrimage

DAY 1: SAIGON ARRIVAL (-/ -/D)

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet our representative and transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner will be served on Saigon River Cruise with show entertainment along the Saigon River.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 2: SAIGON CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Huyen Sy Church in District 1. Huyen Sy was a Vietnamese businessman who donated the money for the church and the land on which it is built. He and his wife are buried in the Church.

After that we walk back to the center of town passing the shrine to St Matthêu Lê Văn Gẫm (Lê Văn Bôi, 1813-1847) a Vietnamese priest and merchant from Biên Hòa Province who was captured and beheaded in that area for his Catholic missionary activities. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1900. On May 11 each year, the anniversary of his death, a festival of remembrance is held at the Huyen Sy Church where there is a statue of this saint.

We then go to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office in the town center and walk down Dong Khoi Street, in colonial times, named Rue Catinat, and learn about some of the historic buildings and events in that area.

Have lunch at local restaurant, then we drive to visit the Cu chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system built over 25 years starting in the 1940s – first the Viet Minh force, and later the Viet Cong force controlled a huge rural area.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 3: SAIGON – VUNG TAU BEACH (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer and visit Vung Tau – we will stop at the Our Mother Mary Bai Dau.

In Vung Tau we will visit Jesus Statue, one of the highest Jesus statues in the world, the White Palace, Vung Tau’s nicest colonial era mansion; it was built as a retreat for French Governor General Paul Doumer at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Pay a visit to Whale Temple. Lunch at local restaurant and check-in at Hotel, Free at own Leisure

Overnight in Vung Tau

DAY 4: VUNG TAU– CAI BE (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to Cai Be town in Mekong delta. Upon arrival in Cai Be, hop on a motorboat to join the crowd of fisherman and produce vendors at the colorful floating market: see barges piled high with ripe, tropical fruit and watch locals bargain for their weekly groceries. Stop by a local factory to taste coconut candy, and then navigate to quiet An Binh Island. Pause for lunch in a lush fruit garden, then explore the shady canals that zig-zag off the main river. Slip beneath rustling coconut trees and foot bridges in a small rowboat, then go to shore for a short bike ride through a local village. Have a cup tea when enjoying the traditional music before check-in homestay. Join a cooking session to learn how to make some local dishes with the owners. We enjoy diner and overnight at homestay.

Overnight at homestay.

DAY 5: HOMESTAY – CAN THO – FATHER DIEP SHRINE (B/L/D)

After breakfast, check out homestay and transfer to Can Tho city. Upon arrival, board a long-tail boat to visit Cai Rang floating market where hundred boats exchange goods every day. Then, visit Ba Cong fruit garden, Hu Tieu noodle workshop, visit seafood market

Transfer to Bac Lieu to visit Tac Say Church and pray at the Father Diep’s Shrine, a center of Pilgrimage in the South Catholics. The Saint Father Diep, Vietnamese priest and martyr honored even by the non-Christians

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has given the green light to the cause of canonization of Father Francis-Xavier Truong Buu Diep. He sacrificed his life to defend his parishioners. Catholic and believers of other religions pray on his tomb.

Dinner and overnight in Bac Lieu.

DAY 6: BAC LIEU – SAIGON (B/L/D)

After breakfast, free at own leisure and check out for lunch then transfer back to Saigon. The distance is 300 km and takes up to 6 hour drive.

Overnight in Saigon

DAY 7: SAIGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Early morning we will attend a Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. After breakfast, free at your own leisure and transfer to Airport for departure with a sweet memories.