Con Dao Island and Tay Ninh province in Vietnam, or Italy and India, are destinations where Vietnamese tourists are willing to spend money on trips that combine cultural experiences with pilgrimages and the search for peace.
Many travel companies consider spiritual tourism to be a popular type of tourism among Vietnamese travelers. Spiritual tourism is not simply about rituals and worship; it is also a journey of cultural exploration and the search for peace. Below are some of the spiritual tourism itineraries favored by Vietnamese travelers, both domestically and internationally.
Con Dao
According to Ms. Tran Thi Bao Thu, Director of Marketing and Communications at Vietlux Travel Company, spiritual tourism is a distinctive and well-known product in Vietnam. Con Dao Island is particularly popular with domestic tourists. Tours focusing on spiritual tourism primarily involve visiting temples, pagodas, and cemeteries. The most frequently visited sites include the tomb of Co Sau and Hang Duong Cemetery, Nui Mot Pagoda, and Ba Phi Yen Shrine.
Tours to Con Dao Island range in price from 5 to 10 million VND, depending on accommodation, duration, and type of tour. Ms. Thu said that tourists who choose spiritual tourism itineraries usually don't spend much time or money on activities like accommodation and shopping. The market... north It attracts a large number of visitors with a high demand for spiritual tourism.
Tay Ninh
Ms. Thu commented Tay Ninh As a long-established spiritual tourism destination in the East and Southwest regions of Vietnam, visitors can spend about two days exploring attractions such as the Tay Ninh Holy See, Ba Den Mountain, and enjoying the region's famous specialties. Due to its proximity and convenient road access, most visitors from the South can travel there independently.
According to Mr. Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of Best Price, Tay Ninh is currently a top choice for tourists from the North as well, due to its combination of unique spiritual experiences and natural beauty. Tourists often choose Tay Ninh tours at the beginning of the year to celebrate the spring season and pray for peace.
Spring trip to Northern Vietnam
The peak season for spiritual tourism in Vietnam typically occurs at the beginning and end of the year, with the beginning of the year accounting for approximately 70% of total visitors, according to Best Price. Especially after the Lunar New Year, people often visit temples and pagodas to pray for peace, health, and good fortune in the new year.
A company representative said that Huong Pagoda is a favorite tourist destination, nổi with its sacred atmosphere and many traditional rituals. Despite being easily accessible and close to the center of Hanoi , the company still receives many requests from large groups to ensure thorough preparation and professional tour guides.
On the 5th day of the Lunar New Year (February 14th), approximately 40,000 visitors from across the country flocked to Huong Pagoda for the festival, creating a scene of boats densely packed on the 4-kilometer-long Yen River.
According to Mr. Tu, tourists visiting temples in the north during the spring festival also like destinations such as Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh or Ha Nam - places with many attractive historical relics.
India
Indian pilgrimage tours typically depart between October and March when the weather is cool, costing around 20-30 million VND. The itinerary takes visitors to Buddhist holy sites, participate in prayer ceremonies at temples, and explore historical landmarks such as the Taj Mahal or Jaipur Palace.
Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Tourism Media Joint Stock Company, said that some of the places Vietnamese tourists like on the tour are Bodh Gaya - where the Buddha attained enlightenment; Sarnath - where the Buddha delivered his first sermon; Varanasi - a sacred city of India with many famous temples and pagodas; and Kushinagar - where the Buddha entered Nirvana.
"Indian pilgrimage tours attract customers because they offer many destinations related to Buddhism, in addition to interesting experiences of Indian culture and cuisine," Mr. Vu said. Tour guides leading Indian pilgrimage tours are usually knowledgeable about Buddhism and history to provide the best experience for guests. Furthermore, the cuisine is also adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes.
Tibet
For around 50-70 million VND, tourists can purchase a pilgrimage tour to Tibet – one of the top spiritual tourism destinations, according to Vietnam Tourism. Tourists enjoy visiting Tibet to experience tranquility and peace, and to participate in religious festivals.
Tibetan pilgrimages typically last 8-14 days, focusing on sacred sites such as the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace. Interspersed throughout the trip are gentle trekking and scenic sightseeing programs.
However, tourists should consider their health when participating in pilgrimage tours in Tibet due to the significant altitude difference. When organizing such tours, companies must arrange experienced and specialized guides to ensure the safety of participants. In some cases, they may even arrange additional services such as a doctor accompanying the group.
Italy
One of the most special experiences on a tour of Italy is attending Mass at the Vatican and meeting the Pope. The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, with an area of 0.44 square kilometers, and is located within the capital city of Rome, Italy. A representative from Vietnam Tourism said many tourists shared that they were "very moved at the moment the Pope bestowed his blessing."
Meeting the Pope is often included in European tours, costing around 70-90 million VND. During a three-day trip to Rome, visitors can also visit other famous landmarks such as St. Peter's Square, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain.
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