English
French
Spanish
ItalianLa Vang Sanctuary
Our Lady of La Vang Sanctuary, or La Vang for short, is considered a major pilgrimage center for Catholics in Vietnam and is recognized by the Catholic Church. Situated in Quang Tri Province, La Vang welcomes thousands of devout pilgrims flocking there on ordinary days and special festivals.
.jpg)
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Vang (Source: Giao phan Thanh Hoa)
Our Lady of La Vang is one name that Catholics in Vietnam use for the Virgin Mary. In other words, she is a figure that has been fully localized from the perspective of culturology in Vietnam.
Today, Our Lady of La Vang is sometimes called the ‘Mother of Vietnam’. She is represented wearing Vietnamese robes and is said to symbolize a supposed essential element of Vietnamese culture, the reverence of women.
.jpg)
Our Lady of La Vang (Source: Quang Binh Travel)
More than 200 years ago, La Vang was a barren land, surrounded by wild forest and deserted mountains, with few people passing by.
According to the ancestors, during the terrible persecution in mid-1798, some believers had to seek refuge. They took refuge in La Vang, Quang Tri Province. While hundreds of people gathered to pray under the ancient banyan tree, which is now the location of the Shrine of Our Lady, they saw a beautiful Lady wearing a cloak, holding the Infant Jesus in her arms.
Our Lady comforted them. She showed them how to boil leaves from the trees growing around to cure their illnesses. She also promised: "From now on, anyone who comes to pray to Me here will receive My blessings and protection."
.jpg)
La Vang Sanctuary is the major pilgrimage center in Vietnam now (Source: Xanh SM)
Since then, the event of Our Lady appearing in La Vang has been spread widely through generations. Gradually, more and more people came to La Vang, and they built a small church dedicated to Our Lady right at the place where she had appeared.
In 1961, La Vang was rebuilt and recognized as the Minor Basilica and the national ‘Holy Mother Site’.
You may like: Best itineraries to travel for Central Vietnam 5-day tour
On the site of the old Basilica remains an ancient bell tower. The tower was built according to traditional Asian and Vietnamese architecture.
.jpg)
The Ancient Bell Tower (Source: Xanh SM)
In front of the bell tower is a large square, with the 14 Stations of the Cross on both sides, faithfully recreating the Passion of the Christ, from his condemnation to the moment of his crucifixion and burial in the crypt.
In addition, in the square lies a well of the Virgin Mary. When parishioners come here, especially those who are sick, they will drink a sip of water, hoping to be healed by the her.
The Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang is considered the center of the sanctuary. It was built in the place of the banyan tree where Our Lady once appeared to the Catholics.
The stature depicts Our Lady standing on a cloud, wearing traditional Vietnamese clothes and curved-nosed shoes. Her face shows mercy while holding the Holy Infant with both hands.
.jpg)
Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang (Source: Duc Me La Vang)
The Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang was built on a land area of 13,464 square meters, recreating Vietnamese architecture with tiled roofs, communal houses, and elaborate carvings. The front tower is where outdoor ceremonies are held, with a direct view of the Divine Mercy Square, and an open design implying that the Church is sent to all people.
.jpg)
The meticulous design of the Basilica (Source: Thanh Duong Viet Nam)
The Basilica is divided into 3 towers, including the front, middle, and back towers. Those are the highlights of the pilgrimage site, using the main colors of white, blue, and gray. The central tower is themed after the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, with a 3m diameter baptismal font right in the lobby.
Inspired by the Virgin Mary, the humble handmaid of God, the rear tower has a discreet, gentle design, facing North. This is also where the Holy Objects are kept to celebrate the sacraments. Inside the tower are 30 small chapels to honor the titles of the Virgin Mary in Vietnam, such as Our Lady of Tra Kieu, Our Lady of Ghenh Rang, Our Lady of Mang Den, etc.
.jpg)
Mother of Sorrows sculpture (Source: Phong Nha Explorer)
Annually, on August 15, the Sanctuary holds a pilgrimage festival, also known as the Virgin Mary's Procession. Every three years, there will be a big Procession, or the La Vang Congress.
The La Vang Congress will take place over three days, from August 13 to 15, attracting hundreds of thousands of people. During these days, Bishops, priests, and laities will gather to organize many sacred rituals. On the early morning of August 15, everyone will attend the solemn celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, marking the end of the congress.
.jpg)
Many laities come to La Vang Congress (Source: Bao Thanh nien)
If departing from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, you can choose to fly to Hue, or take the North-South train. From Hue, travel to Quang Tri along National Highway 1A. When you reach Hai Phu commune, you will see a sign to the La Vang Sanctuary. The Sanctuary opens every time to welcome laities and far-off friends.
La Vang is a pilgrimage center and a historical witness associated with many important events of the Vietnamese Catholic community, affirming the cultural, religious, and historical values of this place. Are you ready to explore this sacred destination? Contact Asia King Travel now to learn more about the localized version of the Virgin Mary in Quang Tri, Vietnam!
You may like: Spring Spiritual Journey - Northern Vietnam's Sacred Festivals
