In Thầy's Footsteps in Vietnam – Winter 2027

This is a traveling spiritual retreat in Vietnam, offered in French, for people who want to walk the places that shaped Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, known as Thầy. Practitioners of the Plum Village tradition and newcomers to mindfulness are equally welcome. Accompanied by monastics of the Plum Village community, the pilgrimage begins in the south of Vietnam and moves north toward the center of the country, tracing the spiritual and cultural roots of Thầy's life and teaching.

What to Expect

The days alternate between mindfulness practice with the monastic community and responsible travel in contact with the landscapes and local people. Practice is part of the daily rhythm: sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement and body awareness, and sharing circles built around deep listening among participants.

The group is limited to 31 people. It is accompanied by four Plum Village monastics, three of whom lead the retreat, along with two French-speaking companions who practice mindfulness and one certified local tour guide who speaks French. That small size keeps the pace contemplative. Tourism services are chosen as far as possible for respect and environmental sustainability, favoring local providers guided by the principles of the social and solidarity economy.

The Route

The pilgrimage includes several places closely tied to Thầy's life:

- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): a guided visit to the School of Youth for Social Service, founded by Thầy, where the Order of Interbeing, the first Tiếp Hiện community, was established.
- Từ Hiếu "Root Temple" in Huế: time with the monastic community at the temple where Thầy was ordained as a novice.
- The Central Highlands: Bát Nhã (Prajna) Monastery, Phương Bối Hermitage, and Từ Đức Temple in Cam Ranh Province.

Before You Go

No prior meditation or Buddhist experience is needed, and the practices are accessible to beginners. What matters most is openness to mindfulness, respect for monastic tradition, and a willingness to engage with the spiritual and cultural sites you visit. The retreat is offered in French only.

Included are accommodation throughout, meals as listed in the detailed itinerary, practices guided by three Plum Village monastics, support from two French-speaking mindfulness practitioners, the services of a French-speaking professional tour guide, and transportation within Vietnam during the pilgrimage.

Not included are international flights and airport taxes, meals marked "on your own," personal expenses, extra drinks and phone calls, tips for drivers and guides, and any service not listed as included. Insurance covering assistance, repatriation, baggage and cancellation is not provided, and suitable cover is strongly recommended.

The retreat is organized through the Plum Village community, whose home is in Thénac, in the Dordogne region of France.