Our Lady of La Vang in Quang Tri

Our Lady of La Vang is located in Hai Lang district, about 4.5km southwest of Quang Tri town center, Quang Tri province. This place is considered a holy land and a solemn pilgrimage center for Vietnamese Catholics.

Belonging to the Archdiocese of Hue, La Vang Church was born in association with the story of the Virgin Mary appearing and bestowing grace on the people taking refuge here in 1798. According to legend, here, under the roots of three large banyan trees, the Virgin Mary appeared many times to comfort and guide the parishioners to persevere in overcoming difficulties.

At the same time, the Virgin Mary instructed the people on how to use Vang's leaves to cure diseases. In gratitude to Mother Mary, people named this place "Lá Vằng". But when "Lá Vằng" is written in a foreign language without accents, it becomes La Vang. From there, the name "Our Lady of La Vang" was formed.

The apparition of the Virgin Mary has become an important spiritual milestone for the birth of La Vang Holy Land. Throughout its long history, which included many wars and natural disasters, the architectural works here have changed a lot, including new constructions, collapses, damage, and destruction.

The Holy Land of Our Lady of La Vang is gradually gaining a new, spacious appearance worthy of being a large and important pilgrimage site of Vietnamese Catholicism. However, the old bell tower is still preserved here - a remaining part of the ancient Basilica built from 1924 to 1929. The ancient bell tower is still located in the center of the holy land.

To the left of the ancient bell tower is the Linh Dai - a construction imitating the vestiges of three banyan trees where the Virgin Mary appeared. Under the banyan tree is a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. Currently, parishioners from everywhere come to pray and ask for the Virgin Mary's grace.

Right behind the ancient bell tower is the new, spacious, and well-built La Vang Basilica. This Basilica, which began construction in 2012, covers an area of ​​over 13,500m2 and can accommodate about 5,000 people.

In addition to the main works above, La Vang stands out with its large, airy campus and several beautiful works and miniatures, such as the statue of the Mother of Grace, reliefs, a thanksgiving stele of those who have been blessed, and an ancient well.

The La Vang pilgrimage festival, also known as "Kiệu," takes place on August 14 and 15 every year. Every three years, it is held on a large scale and is called the big La Vang Festival, now known as "Kiệu đại hội."

The La Vang pilgrimage festival is a major festival of Quang Tri and Vietnamese Catholics. Most Vietnamese Catholics wish to make a pilgrimage to the land of Our Lady of La Vang to pray and receive grace from her.