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Where is La Vang?
La Vang, officially known as the Center of Pilgrimage of Our Lady of La Vang or the Sacred Land of Our Lady of La Vang, is situated in Phu Hung hamlet, Hai Phu commune, Hai Lang district, Quang Tri province.
The majestic sanctuary of Our Lady of La Vang is currently undergoing construction.
From the ancient city of Quang Tri to La Vang, it's just a 10 to 15-minute ride by motorbike. You'll find it effortless to commute between these two places.
Unraveling the history of La Vang land.
The origin of the name La Vang.
There are various interpretations for the name La Vang, among which two popular explanations, agreed upon by many and passed down to this day, stand out.
One argument suggests that this is an area abundant with 'Lá Vằng' trees, both for drinking water and medicinal purposes. The term 'Lá Vằng' later became widespread, recorded in various ancient texts and eventually transformed into La Vang.
The shrine of Our Lady of La Vang.
Regardless of whichever explanation one follows, the place name La Vang, with its easily pronounceable name, has now become a famous destination not only in Vietnam but also in many regions worldwide.
La Vang and its history.
Over two hundred years ago, La Vang was a small, obscure area, lost amidst sacred forests, solitary mountains, with few visitors.
According to ancient accounts, during a terrible epidemic in the middle of 1798, some faithful had to seek refuge. They sought sanctuary in the forests of La Vang. While hundreds gathered to pray under the shade of an ancient banyan tree, now the location of the Shrine of Our Lady, they witnessed a beautiful Lady draped in a cloak, carrying a Child. They were comforted and shown how to gather leaves to brew a medicinal drink, promising relief from hardship and illness. The Lady also pledged: 'From now on, whoever comes here to implore Mother will be granted her assistance.',
Since then, the event of Our Lady's apparition at La Vang has been passed down through generations.
The legend of Our Lady of La Vang is enshrined in the central pilgrimage route.
Despite the many changes over the ages, after numerous renovations, in 1961, the La Vang church was designated as the 'National Sanctuary honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary,' and La Vang became the 'National Marian Center.'
After over two hundred years, La Vang has now become a famous destination and the largest Catholic pilgrimage center in the country.
What to explore in La Vang?
2As a visitor, when you arrive in La Vang, three structures will immediately catch your eye and captivate you:
Ancient bell tower
The ancient bell tower on a beautiful sunny day
The ancient bell tower is a remaining relic of the former Royal Holy Cathedral. The original cathedral was built in 1925, inaugurated in 1928, and elevated to the Royal Holy Cathedral in 1961.
During the war, the cathedral was bombed and destroyed in 1972. After 44 years of existence, only the bell tower remains, preserved as a historical relic to this day.
Historical information about the La Vang shrine at the ancient bell tower.
Traces of time and bombs are still visible on the relic. Alongside the new Royal Holy Cathedral under construction, depending on the perspective, you can easily sense the blend of old and new, of tradition being carried forward, of Eastern architectural elements, and the profound Vietnamese essence in both the relic and the entire structure behind the ancient bell tower.
Despite the twists and turns of history, the bell tower still stands strong to this day.
From the ancient bell tower, one can see the Royal Holy Cathedral and overlook the main square.
Close-up of the ancient bell tower.
The Royal Holy Cathedral of Our Lady of La Vang.
The construction of the Royal Holy Cathedral of La Vang commenced in 2013, initially scheduled for completion in 2020. However, due to the pandemic's impact, the project is still undergoing finalization as of the present year.
The Royal Holy Cathedral of Our Lady of La Vang, featuring a spacious square in the front.
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The front facade of the Royal Holy Cathedral facing towards the ancient bell tower.
Upon arrival, you will distinctly feel the Vietnamese architectural style of the cathedral. Designed in an Eastern Asian style, the structure exudes Vietnamese essence through familiar red-tiled roofs, intricate carvings, and decorations that blend traditional Vietnamese motifs with modern simplicity, creating a graceful and contemporary appearance.
The interior of the Royal Holy Cathedral is nearing completion.
The predominant color tones of blue, gray-white, and green balance with the sweltering climate, offering a refreshing and tranquil ambiance.
The harmonious blend of old and new.
The Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang.
The area of the Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang, resembling the shape of a banyan tree, is a structure built at the site traditionally believed to be where Our Lady appeared long ago, amidst the grass, under the banyan tree. This is also where the statue of Our Lady of La Vang is placed and where pilgrims come to pray.
The Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang.
Construction began in 1963, based on the design by architect Ngô Viết Thụ (the designer of Independence Palace), but only the rough structure was completed due to war and turmoil of the time. It wasn't until 2008 that the 'Three Artificial Banyan Trees' were officially completed with artistic shaping, resembling real banyan trees.
In addition to the above three points, La Vang also features several structures and relics for visitors to explore, such as ancient wells, bas-reliefs, sculptures placed along various pathways at the pilgrimage center, or areas adorned with plaques of gratitude from those who sought and received blessings.
The bas-relief area behind the Shrine.
When should you visit La Vang?
Despite being a renowned destination in Quang Tri, La Vang is not part of the Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An tourist route, where tourism thrives, so you may find it a bit off the beaten path when planning your trips. However, La Vang is conveniently located near the national highway, making it easily accessible. You can pass through Quang Tri on National Highway 1A or include a visit to Quang Tri in your itinerary.
The biggest and most significant festival in La Vang is held annually on August 15th. This celebration typically lasts for 3 days, from August 13th to 15th each year, with a major event occurring every 3 years. During these festivities, hundreds of thousands of people flock to La Vang to participate in the ceremonies, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. For the most convenient visit, it's best to avoid coming during this major festival, especially if your purpose is merely sightseeing.
The pilgrim house, providing free accommodations.
A few tips for visiting La Vang.
La Vang doesn't offer an abundance of services, and those available are mostly budget-friendly. If you're in need of higher-quality services, consider staying in the town of Quang Tri.
If you need accommodation in La Vang, the pilgrim house at the pilgrimage center is also an option. Simply register, receive your accommodation, and it's entirely free.
In La Vang, you can also choose to purchase souvenirs for your visit at the pilgrimage house and other facilities.
The land of La Vang always holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics. Here, you'll feel an extraordinary sense of peace. La Vang is always ready to welcome visitors with utmost hospitality.
Mytour Golocal is a blog program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, under the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour contributor. For more details, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
