With a Pilgrimage Chaplain
December 26, 2025
Vietnam
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Trust
in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is
our refuge.” ~Psalm 62: 1,8
A praycation is a vacation with the Lord where the journey’s end is
not the physical place you visit; rather, it is an inner place where
your soul finds rest in God. It is a delightful mix of prayers and
reflection, visits to local and cultural sites, and partaking of their
local cuisine while enjoying the company of fellow travelers. Take a
break and join an 5-day Praycation featuring Northern Vietnam with a
Pilgrimage Chaplain on December 26-30, 2025.
Begin your praycation in Saigon in the early morning and take a
connecting flight to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. Travel south
to see Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the capital of an ancient Vietnamese
Kingdom called Dai Co Viet in the 10th century.
Continue to the province of Ninh Binh, known as “Halong Bay on
land,” an excellent choice for visitors looking to explore the
majestic natural wonders of Vietnam. This charming province offers a
plethora of breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave you in awe.
Visit the Phuc Nhac Parish, known as the Martyr’s Shrine Center, which
displays the relic of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh, one of the first female
Vietnamese martyrs, and houses the remains of other Vietnamese saints
and martyrs. Head for the Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, renowned for its
unique architectural style of a stone cathedral built like a Buddhist
pagoda. Proceed to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World
Culture and Natural Heritage, is a spectacular landscape of limestone
karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and
surround by steep, almost vertical cliffs.
Embark on a relaxing overnight Halong Bay cruise. Bask in the serenity
of limestone sculptures hewn by nature. This UNESCO World Heritage Site
has roughly 2,000 islands and islets with beautiful grottos, hidden
ponds, mangrove forests, and unusual stone formations.
Wind down your praycation in Hanoi, literally the “city between the
rivers,” the capital and second biggest city of Vietnam. Vietnam’s
capital city is layered with French and Chinese influence and offers
well-preserved French colonial architecture, religious sites, and
several historical landmarks of Vietnamese imperial periods. Step into
1910 and witness the French neoclassical charm of Phung Khoang Church,
where history whispers in every brick. Officially known as Our Lady of
the Rosary Church, this Roman Catholic gem in Nam Tu Liem District,
Hanoi, is more than just an architectural beauty. Not to be missed is
Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, also known as Hanoi Cathedral, whose
architect was inspired by the Neo-Gothic style of the Notre Dame de
Paris.
Set out on a Praycation featuring Northern Vietnam with a Pilgrimage
Chaplain on December 26-30, 2025. May this year-end spiritual journey
give you solace and a chance to gain new friends and build lifelong
relationships.
Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is admired for its beauty as well as insight into the daily lives of Hanoians. Watch locals practicing their daily exercise and Tai Chi routines in the gardens by the water’s edge.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, as the first capital of Vietnam, is rich in history with a wide range of historical landmarks.
The Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is renowned for its unique architectural style of a stone cathedral built like a Buddhist pagoda.
The St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi and was built resembling the Notre Dame Church of Paris.
The province of Nam Dinh boasts a plethora of beautiful basilicas and ancient Catholic churches.
Spiritually-focused journeys
Insightful pilgrimage chaplains
Quality accommodations
Expertly-crafted itineraries
Friendly and bonded groups
Senior citizen friendly
The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
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1) A non-refundable US$ 500.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure) and Pilgrim’s Profile plus the visa fee.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than 45 days before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 90 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 60 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: airport taxes, visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation (23 kgs), drinks, and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
THE PILGRIMS’ CENTER – EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure.” All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
*** SCHEDULE AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***
