Visiting Dai Tong Lam Pagoda

VietNamNet Bridge – Along National Highway 51 on the way to the coastal city of Vung Tau, Dai Tong Lam Pagoda is located in Tan Thanh District in the coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, 70km east of HCM City. The nine grades of the mandarin system of bliss area displays 48 statues of Buddha Amitabha made of granite standing under the open sky. The pagoda is better-known as Van Phat Quang as its 10,000 statues of Buddha are red-lacquered and inlaid with gold mounted on the pagoda's walls. Dai Tong Lam Pagoda, which was built by superior Buddhist monk Thich Thien Hoa in 1964, is located on a quiet 54-hectare plot consisting of many pagodas, Zen monasteries, Buddhist temples, and a junior Buddhism college, and is considered the Buddhist center of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The pagoda has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Book for its four exceptional records, namely the biggest sanctum covering over 3,000 square meters, the biggest granite statue of Bodhisattva Metteyya weighing over 40 tons, the biggest number of statues of Buddha in a pagoda - with over 10,000 - and the Buddhism training center with most learners -1,250 monks and nuns. The splendor of the current architecture model of Buddhism bearing the hallmark of the national culture is seen via the complex of Dai Tong Lam Pagoda. The new main temple, or sanctum, overlooking four directions shows a splendid place like the elysium. Above the curved tiles are dragons cleverly carved that make them look like hovering over nine layers of cloud. Attractions for tourists also include the charming landscape along with a lotus pond and fresh air. The entrance leading to the main temple is shaded with two lines of big trees, while under the old fig tree lays a huge statue of Buddha Sakya Muni being deep in religious contemplation. Overlooking in the distance behind the trees sits the Metteyya temple. On the left side of the pagoda is a place where 48 statues of Buddha Amitabha made of granite 3.3 meters in height, 3.5 tons in weight standing under the open sky. A concrete 14.5-meter-high statue is arranged in the middle. The entrance is paved with red tiles to reduce the heat of summer days. Especially, in the complex of Dai Tong Lam Pagoda, Thien Hoa nun monastery has been known as a "rice pancake pagoda" for many years. The pagoda serves vegetarian food such as rice pancake or bank xeo, vermicelli and sour imitated- crab soup or bun rieu, vermicelli made of cassava, and noodles soup or pho from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. Last but not least, pilgrims can cast off their affliction and tiredness to mingle themselves with nature in a tranquilizing space if they have a chance to visit Dai Tong Lam Pagoda. (Source: SGT)

Wonders Of Indochina

22 days

Departure Dates

27 Dec 08

* denotes departed trips

We Visit:

Vietnam, Cambodia

Costs:

from £5,875 (details below)

Trip Summary:

• Hanoi
• Stunning Halong Bay
• Imperial capital of Hue
• Tranquil Hoi An
• Dalat
• Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Mekong River
• Phnom Penh
• Angkor Wat

Mention Vietnam and people think of war but visit this beautiful land and you find a unique and rich civilisation. Meet her friendly, cultured people and marvel at her thousands of kilometres of stunning coastline, unchanged picturesque rural scenes, fascinating cities showing the influence of French Colonial rulers, and lovely hill towns. Conclude your journey by experiencing the incomparable temple complex of Angkor Wat. Now is the time to see Vietnam and Cambodia before they are overrun with tourists but with sufficient tourism infrastructure in place to ensure comfortable travel and excellent accommodation.

Day 1

Depart UK

Saturday 27 December

DEpart the UK on our overnight flight to Hanoi in northern Vietnam.

Day 2

Hanoi (Vietnam)

Sunday 28 December

Upon arrival in Hanoi you will be driven to the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, our luxurious base for our three night visit to the beautiful Vietnamese capital. Hanoi is without doubt one of Asia’s most beautiful cities – wide tree lined boulevards with French style architecture, narrow alleyways packed with bicycles and merchants, five beautiful lakes, a magnificent Opera House and delightful low rise buildings produce a unique ambience. This afternoon is free to relax after your flight or join your Tour Manager for a stroll around the lake.

Day 3

Hanoi

Monday 29 December

This morning we visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the former President’s stilt house. We also visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the ancient Temple of Literature, dating from 1070 as Vietnam’s first university.

After lunch at one of Hanoi’s best restaurants you can select from a choice of museums to visit – the History Museum, Army Museum or Fine Arts Museum, depending on your preference. We all visit Hoa Lo prison, otherwise known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’. This evening your cyclo awaits to take you to a performance by Vietnam’s famed water puppets. After the performance we are driven to a fine Vietnamese restaurant.

Day 4

Hanoi

Tuesday 30 December

This morning choose from a number of complimentary activities – the active may prefer to travel outside of Hanoi for a rural bicycle tour, taking in some typical Vietnamese countryside in traditional Vietnamese style; food lovers may partake in a Vietnamese cooking class, which includes shopping at the local market and dining on your culinary achievements at lunch; alternatively, join a one hour cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, 36 streets with over 1,000 years of history make this area a lively and unusual place. This afternoon is free to relax, you may wish to visit the Old Quarter for independent exploration and shopping.

Tonight select from a choice of fine restaurants.

Day 5

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Wednesday 31 December

This morning we drive to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s scenic wonders comprising over 3,000 islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay stretches over an area of 1,500sqm, dotted with islands of every shape and size. This afternoon we cruise this beautiful bay and visit one of the fascinating grottos on our traditionally styled but well appointed, modern sailing junk. Halong Bay is a photographer’s paradise. We celebrate a very unique New Year’s Eve aboard our comfortable ship, enjoying the plentiful seafood cuisine.

Day 6

Halong Bay - Hue

Thursday 1 January

After a leisurely morning of sailing we disembark and travel back to Hanoi’s airport for our flight to Hue, the country’s Imperial capital.

Day 7

Hue

Friday 2 January

Hue has long been a major cultural, religious and educational centre. The small quiet city is well known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples. UNESCO has named Hue ‘an adorable architectural poem’. This morning we visit some of the remarkable tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty. After lunch we take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Ming Mang Tomb. A special dinner at a local restaurant is planned this evening.

Day 8

Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An

Saturday 3 January

This morning we will visit Hue’s huge moated citadel, hiding such treasures as the Nine Holy Cannons and the Palace of Supreme Harmony. Sadly it was the scene of heavy fighting during the Vietnam War but is now restored as a serene monument. We then take the scenic trip over the Hai Van Pass (Pass of Clouds) to Da Nang, where we stop for lunch. Continue past the breathtaking Marble Mountains beside China Beach before driving 30 kilometres to the ancient town of Hoi An, on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Originally a Cham port, the township of Hoi An has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low tiled roof houses and narrow streets. The large community of foreign merchants living in Hoi An between the 16th and 18th centuries resulted in unique architecture, combining Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese cultures. We have three nights at the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa.

Day 9

Hoi An

Sunday 4 January

After breakfast we explore this ancient trading port by foot including the Japanese covered bridge, Chinese assembly hall and one of the traditional Chinese houses. Lunch will be served at the Brother café, located on the river. After lunch enjoy some free time for independent exploration and shopping.

This evening enjoy a dine-around dinner at our hotel’s two restaurants.

Day 10

Hoi An

Monday 5 January

Today is yours to do as you wish – relax at our resort; climb the Marble Mountains; or enjoy free time in Hoi An. Another dine-around evening.

Day 11

Hoi An - Nha Trang

Tuesday 6 January

We join the Reunification Express for a scenic day of rail travel through Vietnam’s delightful countryside. See women in their conical hats working the fields, fascinating villages and superb coastal scenery as we travel south to Vietnam’s major holiday resort, Nha Trang.

Day 12

Nha Trang - Dalat

Wednesday 7 January

Today we travel south by coach, through pleasant countryside, before climbing into the mountains to reach the lovely hill town of Dalat. Our accommodation is the superbly restored Sofitel Palace Hotel – a French style gem in a superb location. Enjoy the cool mountain climate and visit the town’s lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forests and gardens. Enjoy a superb dinner in the hotel’s sumptuous French restaurant.

Day 13

Dalat - Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Thursday 8 January

Enjoy a relaxing morning to stroll around Dalat. This afternoon we drive south to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), past tea plantations and rural scenes. The Renaissance Riverside Hotel, in the heart of Saigon, is our home for the next two nights and your room overlooks the Saigon River. Saigon is a much livelier city than Hanoi, its streets are packed with motorbikes and increasingly with cars, the buildings reflect a mixture of architectural styles and the people are devoutly capitalist despite the country’s socialist government. Saigon is a city of amazing contrasts.

Day 14

Saigon

Friday 9 January

This morning we will tour Saigon. Drive past the lavish colonial City Hall and the French style cathedral, located in the middle of a busy street. We also see the site of the former US Embassy and remember the dramatic helicopter evacuation that took place in 1975. Visit Reunification Hall, preserved to commemorate the end of the Vietnam War, plus the War Museum and huge market. This afternoon is free to stroll around the city’s fascinating streets and indulge in the bargain shopping available in Saigon.

Enjoy a dine-around dinner this evening.

Day 15

Saigon - Can Tho

Saturday 10 January

This morning you can choose from –relaxing at our hotel; continuing your shopping; or take a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Viet Cong officers explain the tunnel system and our guide helps us to find the hidden entrances to the tunnels, completing a huge network underneath the nearby US Air Base. We descend underground to visit a hospital, barracks, command post, galley and mess room. We return to our hotel to freshen up before travelling overland to the university town of Can Tho. Can Tho is on the confluence of three rivers in the heart of the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta was once part of the Khmer Kingdom and there are many ethnic Khmers still living here. The Munirangsyaram pagoda is a typical Khmer Buddhist pagoda, where the friendly monks are likely to offer you tea while practicing their English. We visit the museum and local market prior to arrival at the Victoria Can Tho Hotel.

Day 16

Can Tho - Chau Doc

Sunday 11 January

This morning we board a boat on the Mekong River to visit the bustling floating market. Our boat will navigate through the colourful congestion of women and children jostling for space and vying to sell their wares. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and some free time. After lunch we travel by boat along the Mekong River to Chau Doc. We stay beside the river at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel.

Day 17

Chau Doc - Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

Monday 12 January

This morning we will visit a nearby isolated Cham village and journey by boat to see the floating homes. The Mekong River at this point is decorated with hundreds of floating homes, each a self contained farm where local families raise and sell fish to passing boats. This afternoon we arrive in Phnom Penh for two nights at the charming old world, Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

Day 18

Phnom Penh

Tuesday 13 January

This morning visit the National Museum of Khmer Art and Archaeology, which contains many masterpieces of Khmer art, plus the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. This afternoon we take a chilling tour to the sites of the Khmer Rouge era. Visit infamous Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crime and Cheung Ek, better known as the killing fields.

Enjoy a dine-around evening and select from a choice of the hotel’s restaurants and excellent local establishments.

Day 19

Phnom Penh - Angkor Wat

Wednesday 14 January

This morning choose your mode of transport to Siem Reap – take the scenic trip by local boat; or travel overland by private coach. Check into the luxurious Le Meridien Angkor and enjoy lunch before visiting Angkor Wat, arguably the world’s greatest temple, dating from the 12th century. It is the largest religious building in existence and a true wonder of the world. We enter the temple by crossing the moat and passing through two huge outside walls, pausing to marvel at the towers that lie ahead. We will explore the three levels of the temple, which has only recently reopened to tourists.

Another dine-around dinner this evening.

Day 20

Angkor Wat

Thursday 15 January

This morning you may like to rise early and view the spectacular sunrise over Angkor Wat, returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we explore some other outstanding temples in the complex. Wonderful Ta Prohm, still embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, is a truly amazing sight. We continue to mystical Angkor Thom and the Bayon, pausing to see the Elephant Terrace and the ornately carved gates. This afternoon is free for relaxation at our wonderful hotel.

Day 21

Depart Angkor Wat

Friday 16 January

Your room is booked for a late checkout.

This morning you can join your guide and explore some of the smaller but equally ornate temples that make this region unique; relax at our hotel; or visit the small town of Siem Reap. We join our evening flight to Bangkok and connect with our flight back to the UK.

Day 22

Arrive UK

Saturday 17 January

Arrive back in the UK this morning.