Vietnam and Cambodia – A sacred journey through spiritual spaces.

CHICAGO - HANOI

Meeting with the guide at the airport. Ticket and baggage check-in. Departure to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Vietnam and Cambodia – A sacred journey through spiritual realms.

HANOI

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, meeting with a Polish-speaking guide and a representative of the local contractor, then transfer to the city center and check-in at the hotel. A short rest after a long journey. In the late afternoon, we visit the Cathedral of St. Joseph and Archbishop of Hanoi.

We listen to the vicar’s story about the life of the Catholic community in Hanoi. In the evening we head over to a welcome dinner at a nice restaurant with tasty Vietnamese food.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

HANOI – CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel. We will start our tour of the city with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his residence, the House on Stilts. This complex also includes the One Pillar Pagoda, which dates back to the founding of the city. We continue to visit Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature and the first university in Vietnam).

We also visit the Roman Catholic Church of Cua Bac, which in 2006 was chosen as the place of mass for the President of the United States – George W. Bush. Currently, the Cua Bac Church offers Sunday Mass in English – this is an international congregation in Hanoi. After a private mass, we continue our tour – we visit Dong Xuan Wholesale Market. The tour ends with an amazing water puppet show, the only one of its kind in Vietnam. We will have dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. Free time in the evening.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

HANOI - SO KIEN BASILICA - NINH BINH

After an early breakfast, a drive to Ninh Binh. On the way, we visit the So Kien Basilica, built in the colonial neo-gothic style. We meet with the vicar and then attend a private Holy Mass. After the mass, we go to Tam Coc for a rowing boat trip along the canal towards the caves. We get to know the life of fishermen, beautiful landscapes – the beauty of karst formations, for which Tam Coc is famous for.

Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue our sightseeing by going to the Phat Diem Cathedral, which was built by the priest Father Tran Luc in 1891 and is an example of a combination of French and Vietnamese religious architecture. This stone structure is a masterpiece not to be missed.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Tam Coc. Overnight stay at the hotel in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh.

TAM COC /NINH BINH – HA LONG BAY

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head towards Ha Long Bay. It is a beautiful bay belonging to the World Natural Heritage, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear emerald sea.

We reach the port around noon and after boarding the boat we set off on a cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink before checking into your cabins. While the boat sails through waters dotted with rocky islets, caves, fish farms and beaches, we will enjoy lunch – served on board – with fresh seafood. We also explore one of the most beautiful caves in the bay. Afterwards, free time to swim or relax on the sun terrace.

Vietnamese dinner served on board. Overnight stay on the ship.

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change according to weather conditions or local administration regulations and ship’s boat availability.

HA LONG – HUE BAY

Waking up early that day (no breakfast/brunch) allows us to enjoy the dawn and start a perfect new day by practicing Tai Chi on the sundeck or enjoying the breathtaking views while cruising around Ha Long Bay. Holy Mass on board. A meal is served on the return cruise from the bay.

After returning to the port, we go to the airport, from where we fly to Hue. After landing, transfer by bus to the hotel, check-in and rest after the journey.

In the evening, dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hue.

HUE- LA VANG

After breakfast, we depart to the famous Pilgrimage Center of Our Lady of La Vang in Dong Ha Town, Quang Tri Province. We are about 2 hours drive from Hue. La Vang Church was crowned by Pope John Paul II as the Basilica of the Magnonos Monastery on August 22, 1961. Common prayer to Our Lady of La Vang, during which we will admire Her and experience wonderful moments with Her. Then we return to Hue and visit the Imperial Citadel. It was here that the last feudal dynasty of the kings of Vietnam ruled from 1802 to 1945. On site are the Flag Tower, Nine Sacred Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns and Forbidden Purple City.

Finally, we visit the picturesque Thien Mu Pagoda, which is also home to many young people who want to try and learn how to live as monks.

In the evening, we invite you to an amazing cruise dinner, where we have the opportunity to listen to Hue folk songs while cruising the Huong River. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

HUE - THIEN AN – HOI AN

On this day, we visit the final resting place of the 12th King Khai Dinh, who left behind a magnificent tomb, idyllically located on Chau Chu Mount on the outskirts of Hue. Then, we visit the Thien An Monastery located on Pinehill Hill.

It was founded in 1940 by French monks of the Benedictine order – Father Romain and Father Corentin. Many years after its foundation, it still retains its intimacy, harmonizes with nature, and fits beautifully among green forests.

In the afternoon, we take an overland trip to Hoi An via the Hai Van pass.

We have dinner at the hotel and then we have free time and the opportunity to admire the night illuminations of Hoi An.

HOI AN - TRA QUE VILLAGE

After breakfast, we leave the hotel and take a short drive to the herbal village of Tra Que, located on the outskirts of Hoi An. We take a short walk through the vegetable garden, where we witness the daily work of local farmers. It is a practical and fun experience; raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and observing other gardening activities.

Then we see a cooking demonstration of local delicacies such as “tam huu” spring rolls, Banh xeo and Vietnamese local pancake.

After a shared meal, you can undergo a traditional Vietnamese foot massage in a wooden pool.

We return to Hoi An for a guided walking tour of the ancient city of Hoi An. We visit a Japanese covered bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a typical Vietnamese merchant house.

HOI AN – BANA HILLS – DA NANG

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the Ba Na Hills cable car station. We stop at the place where one of the greatest attractions of Vietnam is located – the Golden Hand of Buddha Bridge. This bridge, supported by gigantic divine hands, was put into service in 2018. It stands 1414 meters above sea level and is 150 meters long. The view from it is impressive; we can admire the panorama of the green mountains of Nui Chua, the Mountain of God.

Free time to visit Ba Na Hills, where you can visit the Linh Ung Pagoda and the French Wine Cellar – a wine vault. Then we go down the cable car and go to Da Nang city.

The next highlight of the day is a visit to the Da Nang Cathedral, also called “Cox Church” and the iconic Dragon Bridge, crossing the Han River.

Transfer to Da Nang airport and flight to Siem Reap. After leaving the airport, together with the guide, we go to the hotel. You can spend the evening visiting old local pubs or cafes and return to your hotel by local Tuk Tuk.

SIEM REAP - ANGKOR HERITAGE SITES

We start the day by visiting the beautiful temples of Angkor with a local Tuk Tuk. At the beginning, we see the West Gate of Angkor Thom – not yet discovered by mass tourists, the ancient capital of Angkor Thom from the 12th century, South Gate, and Bayon Temple – a unique temple due to its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvar.

Then we visit the Baphuon Temple – north of Bayon, the pyramidal residence of the mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Farm, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephant and Terrace of the Leper King. We continue to explore the fabulous Ta Prohm, surrounded by the roots of huge fig trees and giant vines – by Tuk Tuk. Next is the mighty temple of Preah Khan or “Sacred Sword”, built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Then we move on to the elegant buildings of Neak Poan.

In the afternoon, we discover the Angkor complex (transfer by bus) with the famous Angkor Wat temple, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is famous for its beauty and splendor. It has the world’s longest one-length bas-relief that stretches along the outer walls of the gallery and tells stories from Hindu mythology.

In the evening, dinner combined with Apsara dances, and an overnight stay in Siem Reap.

SIEM REAP - PHNOM KULEN MOUNT - BANTEY SREI - APSARA

Today we visit Phnom Kulen Mountain, considered Cambodia’s most sacred mountain, dating back to 802 AD when Jayavarman II declared Cambodia’s independence from Java. On the way back we visit Banteay Srei Temple. Built with red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, it is one of Angkor’s most remarkable structures, and its walls are adorned with exceptionally well-preserved intricate carvings.

Transfer to the Siem Reap International Airport and flight to Hanoi.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.

SIEM REAP - TONLE SAPE LAKE - HANOI - CHICAGO

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Then, transfer to Noi Bai International Airport and return to Chicago.

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THE PROGRAM IS A FRAMEWORK. THE ORDER OF IMPLEMENTATION OF INDIVIDUAL POINTS OF THE PROGRAM MAY CHANGE. HOLY MASS (IF POSSIBLE IN SELECTED SANCTUARIES). PLEASE REMEMBER THAT PASSPORT MUST BE VALID MINIMUM  6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF RETURN AND CONTAIN 2 BLANK PAGES FOR ENTRY/EXIT STAMPS.