Day 1: DA NANG AIRPORT TO HUE
| Your private guide will meet you outside of the arrival hall at Da Nang International Airport.
Flights details tbc (please advise us your estimated arrival flight) Following National Highway 1 north to Hue city is around 2 to 3 hours drive. Depending on time of day (and time available) we will either take the scenic drive over the Hai Van Mountain Pass or if arrival is late in the day, we’ll drive the direct route via the Hai Van Tunnel. On arrival in Hue, check into your hotel and the remainder of your day is free and easy. Accommodation: Hue Hotel |
Day 2: HUE CITY WITH CHURCHES
After breakfast at the hotel, begin your day with a visit to Phu Cam Cathedral, one of the largest and most beautiful churches in Central Vietnam, known for its modern architecture and historical significance to the Catholic community of Hue.
Continue to explore the Imperial Citadel, located on the north bank of the Perfume River. This vast complex covers an area of more than 500 hectares and consists of three concentric enclosures: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel), and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Purple City). The Citadel served as the residence and administrative center of the Nguyen Emperors until the mid-20th century. Despite the damage caused by war and time, the site remains a majestic testament to Vietnam’s imperial history, with bullet marks still visible on ancient stone walls.
In the afternoon, visit Thien An Monastery, located in Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy District, surrounded by a peaceful pine forest. The monastery’s design, inspired by the architecture of a traditional convent church, creates a serene and contemplative atmosphere, perfectly harmonizing with nature — an ideal place for quiet reflection.
Afterward, continue to Minh Mang Tomb, situated about 12 km from Hue on the west bank of the Perfume River. Construction began in 1840 under Emperor Minh Mang and was completed in 1843 by his successor, Emperor Thieu Tri. The tomb complex features nearly 40 structures, including palaces, temples, and pavilions, all symmetrically arranged along a central axis that symbolizes harmony and order.
Accommodation: Hue Hotel
Day 3: OUR LADY OF LAVANG - VINH MOC - QUANG BINH (180 km)
After breakfast, depart from Hue and travel north toward Our Lady of La Vang, a major pilgrimage center for Catholics in Vietnam. Spend some quiet time for prayer and reflection at the holy shrine before continuing your journey to Quang Binh Province.
Along the way, stop by Long Hung Church, once completely destroyed during the war. Only the shell of the building remains today, with bullet marks and scars that tell a moving story of faith and resilience amid conflict.
Continue driving for about an hour to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an extraordinary underground village built by local families to survive relentless bombing during the Vietnam War. More than 90 families lived and worked within this intricate network of tunnels – spanning nearly 2 kilometers and reaching three different levels underground. Visitors can still walk through many of the original tunnels, now fitted with lighting but preserved in their authentic condition.
After the visit, drive further north for a couple of hours to Phong Nha – Ke Bang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which will serve as your base for the night and the next day’s exploration.
Accommodation: Quang Binh Hotel
Day 4: PHONG NHA DISCOVERY - BACK TO HUE CITY
After breakfast, check out and begin your excursion to the spectacular Phong Nha and Tien Son Caves. First noted during the French colonial era in the late 19th century and fully surveyed in 1990, Phong Nha Cave is famed as the world’s longest river cave, stretching nearly 14 kilometers.
A boat ride along the underground river takes you through the first section—about 1.2 kilometers—open to visitors. The caverns near the entrance reveal magnificent limestone formations estimated to be over 400 million years old. Stalactites, stalagmites, and intricate stone curtains form an awe-inspiring underground wonderland.
After exploring the caves, enjoy your lunch before departing for Hue. Enjoy a scenic drive back to Hue City, passing through the beautiful landscapes of Central Vietnam. Arrive in Hue and check in to your hotel for overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hue Hotel
Day 5: CLOUDY PASS AND HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN
After breakfast, continue your journey southward from Hue toward Da Nang, the drive approximately 100 kilometers and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on stops.
The route is among the most scenic in Vietnam, especially as you ascend the Hai Van Pass (Cloudy Pass) — a winding mountain road that offers breathtaking views of the coast, the mountains, and the blue waters of Lang Co Bay. This stretch, often described as the natural border between Hue and Da Nang, provides wonderful photo opportunities.
On the way, stop to visit the Nuoc Ngot Orphanage Centre, where local sisters dedicate their lives to caring for disabled and underprivileged children — a touching encounter that reflects the spirit of compassion in Central Vietnam.
Arrive in Da Nang and stop for lunch, followed by a short visit to the Da Nang Cathedral, affectionately known as the “Rooster Cathedral,” one of the city’s most notable Catholic landmarks.
In the afternoon, continue south to Hoi An Ancient Town, located on the peaceful banks of the Thu Bon River. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international trading port, influenced by Japanese, Chinese, and later Western merchants.
Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site retains its timeless charm through its narrow pedestrian streets, lantern-lit houses, and centuries-old architecture. Enjoy a walking tour through the highlights of Hoi An, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Community, and an ancient merchant’s house (Tan Ky). In the evening, the town transforms into a magical world of lights and colors as hundreds of lanterns glow along the river.
Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel
Day 6: TRA QUE COOKING CLASS - OUR LADY OF TRA KIEU
Start after breakfast for a 30-minute gentle bicycle ride through the flat country lanes to Tra Que, which is a charming little village located just a few kilometres northeast of Hoi An.
The village is famous for growing many kinds of vegetables and herbs including: lettuce, salad, houttuynia, flagrant knotweed, basil and coriander.
We will learn about the planting and growing of vegetables and herbs. Enjoy a herbal foot massage before taking a short informal cooking class with a local family, to learn how to make (and then eat) some local delicacies.
After enjoying lunch with the dishes we’ve prepared, we continue our journey to visit the holy shrine of Our Lady of Tra Kieu, a holy mountain church and sacred pilgrimage site where the faithful gather to pray and remember the glorious victory granted by the Blessed Mother to her people during their self-defense against the Can Vuong movement in 1885.
After the visit, return to the hotel for relaxation and rest.
Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel
Day 7: DANANG DEPARTURE
Free at leisure till transferring to Danang International Airport for your flight home.
ETD: TBA (please advise us your flight details)
Fly home, on your own scheduled and arranged flight, and leave with precious memories of your Vietnam Catholic Tour.
Traveling with us in the meaning of “CONNECT and SHARE”, you will see how life becomes special to catholic communities and it is a great chance to understand more about Vietnamese culture and catholic stories through the real local catholics.
Ho Thi Suong Lan
0161000885230
Vietcombank – Hue
Viet Orchid Travel Co., Ltd.
16 Doan Huu Trung – Phuoc Vinh Ward – Thuan Hoa District – Hue City – Vietnam
(+84) 914 544 660 – 234 3623 896
Fax: 0234 3935 621
