Highlights of the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Congress 2026

From August 13 to 15, 2026, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in Quang Tri became the gathering place for Catholics from across Vietnam and overseas for the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Congress.

Under the theme “MARY, HERALD OF THE GOOD NEWS.” the three-day Congress featured solemn Masses, Marian devotions, the Way of the Cross, spiritual talks, a sacred performance, and the traditional procession in honor of Our Lady of La Vang.

Returning after a nine-year interval, the National Pilgrimage Congress welcomed more than 170,000 pilgrims to La Vang, according to Công Giáo và Dân Tộc (cgvdt.vn), making it one of the most significant Catholic gatherings in Vietnam in 2026.

Here are the highlights of the major events that took place during the 32nd La Vang Pilgrimage Congress.

August 13 – Opening Ceremony and Opening Mass

At 5:30 PM on August 13, the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Congress officially opened at the Basilica under the theme “Mary, Herald of the Good News.” The ceremony featured a welcome performance by 170 children from Phu Cam Cathedral Parish and the symbolic raising of the La Vang flag, the Vatican flag, the flag representing Vietnamese Catholics overseas, and the flags of all 27 dioceses in Vietnam. Archbishop Joseph Đặng Đức Ngân, Archbishop of Hue, welcomed the pilgrims, before Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, officially declared the Congress open.

At 6:00 PM, the Opening Mass was presided over by Archbishop Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên, Archbishop of Hanoi and Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, together with bishops and priests from across Vietnam. According to the Archdiocese of Hue, approximately 50,000 faithful attended the Opening Mass, marking an impressive beginning to the three-day national pilgrimage.

August 14 – Way of the Cross and Vigil Mass of the Assumption

The second day of the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Congress continued with several important liturgical celebrations, bringing the vast pilgrim community together in prayer and preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Way of the Cross

At 4:00 PM, the solemn Way of the Cross was held at the Basilica, presided over by Bishop John Baptist Nguyễn Quốc Hưng, Coadjutor Bishop of Qui Nhơn, together with bishops, priests, religious and the pilgrim community.

Through the fourteen Stations of the Cross, the faithful meditated on the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. The sight of thousands of pilgrims praying together across the grounds of La Vang became one of the most solemn and memorable moments of the Congress, expressing the spirit of sacrifice, prayer and communion at the heart of the pilgrimage.

Vigil Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

At 6:00 PM, the pilgrim community gathered again at the Basilica for the Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng, Archbishop of Saigon and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, together with bishops and priests participating in the Congress.

Celebrated on the eve of August 15, the Mass was one of the major Eucharistic celebrations of La Vang 2026. The celebration honored the Blessed Virgin Mary and invited the faithful to look to her as a model of faith and discipleship, closely reflecting the Congress theme, “Mary, Herald of the Good News.”

Many pilgrims remained at the shrine afterwards, continuing in prayer as La Vang prepared for the great Marian procession and Solemn Mass the following morning.

August 15 – Marian Procession, Solemn Mass and Closing of the Congress

The final day of the Congress coincided with August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Before sunrise, pilgrims gathered around the Marian Shrine for the culminating celebrations of the three-day pilgrimage.

Solemn Procession in Honor of Our Lady of La Vang

At 4:30 AM, the solemn procession in honor of Our Lady of La Vang began from the Marian Shrine and proceeded toward the Basilica altar. Bishops, priests, religious and the vast pilgrim community joined the procession in prayer and Marian hymns, creating one of the most memorable scenes of the 32nd La Vang Pilgrimage Congress.

Solemn Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Following the procession, the Congress reached its liturgical culmination with the Solemn Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, presided over by Archbishop Joseph Đặng Đức Ngân, Archbishop of Hue, together with the bishops and priests present at La Vang.

The celebration honored the mystery of Mary’s Assumption and brought the pilgrim community together in the Eucharist for the final major liturgical celebration of the Congress.

Closing of the 32nd La Vang Pilgrimage Congress

The conclusion of the Solemn Mass also marked the closing of the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Congress, following three days of Masses, prayer, processions and Marian devotion from August 13–15.

With more than 170,000 pilgrims gathering at La Vang and the participation of faithful representing all 27 dioceses in Vietnam, the 2026 Congress became a remarkable expression of faith, communion and Marian devotion within the Catholic Church in Vietnam.

As the great national pilgrimage came to a close, its message continued to resonate among the faithful: “Mary, Herald of the Good News.”

This recap was compiled from official coverage and communications published by the Archdiocese of Hue and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam during the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Congress, August 13–15, 2026.

Photo source: Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Hue.

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