Vietnam is one of the top destinations for people from the west on vacation in Asia. There are many similarities and some real differences between the two cultures. Both of them are Buddhist countries, and there are many meditation retreat options in Vietnam and Thailand.
Deep Jhana Meditation retreats seem absent from Vietnam. The entire country. I did a good search this morning to see what I could find and there just wasn’t any retreat focusing on Deep Jhana or even Jhana at all.
Jhana is not the endgame, it’s a stepping stone that will give you the right mindset to see things as they really are. Most monks at the temples in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Sri Lanka, believe that Jhana is a necessary step in order to reach nibbana. Enlightenment.
Thailand’s Theravada Buddhism vs. Vietnam’s Mahayana Buddhism
While Theravada Buddhism is present in Vietnam, it is not the dominant form of Buddhism practiced by the majority of Vietnamese Buddhists.
- Dominant Tradition: The primary form of Buddhism in Vietnam is Mahayana Buddhism. This tradition arrived centuries ago, primarily through influence from China, and it often incorporates elements of Zen (known as Thiền in Vietnamese) and Pure Land practices.
- Theravada Presence: Theravada Buddhism is practiced in Vietnam, but mainly by the Khmer ethnic minority population who live predominantly in the southern Mekong Delta region, bordering Cambodia (which is a Theravada Buddhist country).
- Contrast with Neighbors: Unlike its neighbors Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where Theravada Buddhism is the main religion, Vietnam’s Buddhist landscape is predominantly Mahayana for the ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh) majority.
Vietnam is primarily a Mahayana Buddhist country, although a significant minority population practices Theravada Buddhism.
Searching for Deep Jhana Meditation Retreats in Vietnam
I did a fairly exhaustive search for Deep Jhana (any Jhana) meditation retreats in Vietnam. Unfortunately, while Vietnam has a rich Buddhist heritage and many places for general meditation, specifically advertised Deep Jhana retreats don’t seem to be common yet.
Many digital nomads spend months and years in Vietnam, attracted by its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and affordable cost of living. Add to that the millions of visitors exploring the country, and it seems there would be a place for a dedicated Deep Jhana meditation Retreat in Vietnam.
Mahayana Buddhist Retreats are common in Vietnam. If you follow that path, this is a great place to find a general meditation retreat.
Deep Jhana Meditation Retreat Option for Vietnam Visitors
Join us in Krabi, Thailand for our monthly Deep Jhana Meditation Retreats!
Here is some information about how to travel from Vietnam to join us.
Traveling from major cities in Vietnam (like Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi) to Krabi, Thailand, involves some planning. While direct flights might not always be available or convenient, several options exist. Here’s how you can typically make the journey:
Flight Options
- Direct Flights: Direct flights from Vietnam (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City – SGN, Hanoi – HAN) to Krabi (KBV) are uncommon. Most routes require a connection.
- Connecting Flights: You’ll typically need to book a flight with at least one stopover, most commonly in Bangkok (either Suvarnabhumi – BKK or Don Mueang – DMK). Other potential layover cities include Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Singapore (SIN). Airlines operating these routes include AirAsia, VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air, and others depending on the specific route and connections.
Flight Duration
- Shortest Flights: The quickest connecting flights, depending on the layover duration in hubs like Bangkok, can take around 4 to 6 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, or slightly longer from Hanoi.
- Average Duration: Most flight combinations range between 5 to 10 hours, including layovers. Some budget options might involve longer layovers, so carefully check the total travel time when booking.
Flight Frequency
- Daily Flights: Numerous flights operate daily from major Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Krabi via Bangkok or other regional hubs. This frequency provides flexibility, but booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking Tips
- Compare Prices: Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Agoda, or Kayak to compare options, durations, and prices across different airlines and dates. Prices vary significantly based on the airline, booking time, and season. I found prices from $200 to $350 with the cheapest flights the ones with long layovers and 1 or more stops between Vietnam and Krabi. Most flights stop in Bangkok.
- Flexible Dates: If your travel dates are flexible, you might find better deals by shifting your departure or return slightly.
- Check Airports: Pay attention to whether connections involve switching airports in Bangkok (BKK vs. DMK), as this requires extra time and potentially separate ground transportation.
Other Vietnam Meditation Options
If you’re looking for jhāna-focused retreats specifically within the country of Vietnam and traveling to Krabi isn’t feasible, finding explicitly labeled “jhāna retreats” can still be challenging. However, Vietnam offers various avenues for deepening meditation practice:
- Monasteries and Zen Centers: Vietnam has a strong Buddhist tradition. Centers like the Truc Lam Zen Monastery complex (with branches in various locations like Dalat) offer environments dedicated to practice, though typically focused on Zen traditions rather than specific Theravada Jhana states. Plum Village, founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, also has roots in Vietnam, though its main international retreat centers are elsewhere. Researching local temples and monasteries known for meditation practice might yield results.
- Vipassana Centers: Check for Vipassana meditation courses as taught by S.N. Goenka (via the official Vipassana website, dhamma.org). There are established centers in Vietnam offering 10-day silent retreats. These emphasize rigorous practice that builds strong concentration (samadhi), which is a necessary foundation for developing Jhana.
- Wellness and Yoga Retreats: Many wellness and yoga retreats are available throughout Vietnam, often incorporating general meditation and mindfulness sessions. While typically not offering deep Jhana instruction, they can provide supportive environments for practice. Platforms like BookRetreats.com may list various meditation-inclusive options in Vietnam.
For more detailed information on jhāna states and experiences, you might find the articles on Jhana8.com insightful.
If you’re interested in dedicated Jhana practice and the options in Vietnam don’t quite meet your specific needs, feel free to let us know. We can help you explore joining us in Krabi, Thailand for our monthly Deep Jhana Meditation Retreats!
Join Us in Krabi for our Monthly Deep Jhana Meditation Retreats!