Vietnam Catholic Pilgrimage Southbound

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 – 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 3: 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 4: HANOI CITY SIGHTS (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 5: HA NOI – FLY TO HUE CITY (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Hue city. Welcome by our tour guide, and then visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 6: HUE – LA VANG HOLY LAND – PHONG NHA (B/L/D)

Early breakfast at the hotel. We depart for Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, your boat downs the river to visit Phong Nha Cave (the largest cave in the world which is recognized by UNESCO is a world natural heritage with Hang Bi Ky, Tien …). Have lunch at the local restaurant.

On the way back to Hue, visiting the La Vang Holy Land- State basilica. La Vang Holy Land is a shrine located in Hai Lang district, Quang Tri Province. Christians believe that Mary shows flexibility in this area in 1798 and a church was erected near the three banyan tree, where the apparitions and this is an important place of pilgrimage of Catholics Vietnam. La Vang Holy was awarded by Vatican Holy is the Emirate Palace of La Vang Cathedral from 1961.
Free at night.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 7: HUE – DA NANG CATHEDRAL – HOI AN (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we drive to Da Nang. Then visit Da Nang Cathedral – known to locals as Con Ga Church (Rooster Church) because of the weathercock on top of the steeple, the candy-pink Da Nang Cathedral (Tran Phu Street) was built for the city’s French residents in 1923. The cathedral still functions as a lively place of worship; in fact late-comers for services often find all the seats are taken.

Have lunch in local restaurant, and then drive to Hoi An ancient town. In the afternoon we have a walking tour in Hoi An Old Quarter. The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the vibrant market. We visit these on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past. Then check-in the hotel. Take a boat trip on Thu Bon river for sightseeing and relax. Discovery night in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 8: HOI AN – FLY TO SAI GON (B/L/D)

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your domestic flight to Saigon. Meet on arrival with private transportation to your hotel of choice in Saigon.

Evening: Street Food Tour By Scooter (18.00 PM – 22.00 PM). Pick up at 17:55 at Hotel’s Lobby

You will ride on the back of typical Saigon transportation –the xe-om (motorbike). With an experienced driver you will safely zip through narrow lanes and get away from the main tourist spots and see the ‘real Saigon’. We will be visiting local Vietnamese street food vendors on the pavement or in small local Vietnamese- style restaurants.

The atmosphere is light and fun with a focus on enjoying great Vietnamese food. It is truly like going to a dinner party with local Vietnamese, except this one moves!

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 9: 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 controled a huge rural area.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 10: SAIGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Free at leisure till transferring to airport for your flight home. End of service.