This is the mother temple of Caodaism, a Vietnamese religion founded in the 1920s that blends elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam under a single all-seeing Divine Eye symbol. The temple's brightly colored, ornately decorated interior is used for services held four times daily, which visitors can observe from an upper gallery.
The Cao Dai Holy See is the mother temple of Caodaism, a syncretic Vietnamese religion founded in 1926 that blends elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam under the symbol of the Divine Eye. The temple's interior is a riot of pastel color, dragon-wrapped pillars, and symbolic imagery, and the building can hold several thousand worshippers dressed in white, blue, yellow, and red robes according to their branch of the faith. The main daily ceremony at noon (with additional services at 6:00am, 6:00pm, and midnight) draws worshippers who chant and process through the hall while visitors observe from an upper gallery. Most day-tour itineraries pair a stop here with the Cu Chi Tunnels earlier in the day, making for a long but rewarding day trip that pairs a war history site with a genuinely unique religious tradition found almost nowhere else in the world.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Temple grounds open daily; the main midday ceremony is at 12:00pm |
| Typical visit | Half to full day (including travel) |
| Getting there | Typically visited on an organized day tour from District 1 combined with the Cu Chi Tunnels; a private car takes about 2.5 hours each way |
| Address | Long Hoa Ward, Hoa Thanh Town, Tay Ninh Province |
Location
Long Hoa Ward, Hoa Thanh Town, Tay Ninh Province
11.2942, 106.1131 View on map
Highlights
- Ornate, brightly colored temple interior unique to Caodaism
- Midday ceremony (12:00pm) with robed worshippers chanting and processing
- Divine Eye symbol representing the religion's syncretic beliefs
- Viewing gallery for visitors to observe ceremonies respectfully from above
Tips for visiting
- Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered
- Arrive before noon to secure a spot in the visitor gallery for the main ceremony
- Remove shoes before entering the temple hall
- Most visitors combine this with Cu Chi Tunnels in one long day tour
When to visit
Before noon for the main daily ceremony
Accessibility
Ground floor is relatively flat, though crowds during ceremonies can make wheelchair navigation difficult.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors attend the ceremony?
Visitors can observe from a designated upper gallery but should not enter the main floor during active worship.
Is this the same day trip as Cu Chi Tunnels?
They are separate sites about an hour apart, but are commonly combined into a single full-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City.