Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of the East. The temple's exterior is decorated with multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes competing for space with a number of Buddhist symbols. Above the main entrance is the all-seeing holy eye, the symbol of the Cao Dai sect. The interior is just as engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand side by side.
Your day trip starts at 9am with pickup by your guide at the lobby of your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and head to Tay Ninh Province to visit the famous Cao Dai Holy See Temple, which is a fusion of Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and a few other religions. Learn about the unique religion and the temple organization, and watch the noon mass. After having a traditional Vietnamese cuisine at a riverside restaurant, you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a small sample of the immense network of tunnels during the US-Vietnam conflict. Your guide will lead you through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, dug by resourceful guerrilla fighters to provide communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters during numerous conflicts. Then you will board a modern and spacious speedboat and depart to Ho Chi Minh City. Travel comfortably to observe a traditional way of life of the locals on the Saigon River and its banks. After arriving Ho Chi Minh Les Rives vans will take you back to your hotels
3 Comments
4.8
Exploring the Cu Chi tunnels was an exhilarating dive into Vietnam’s history, and we loved every moment of crawling through the narrow passages—though we did wish it was a bit cooler inside!
4.4
The visit to the elaborate temple was a highlight, with its vibrant architecture and serene atmosphere deeply impressive.
4.6
Our day exploring the tunnels and the Cao Dai temple was a fascinating peek into Vietnam’s history and culture. While we appreciated the private nature of the tour, the drive from Ho Chi Minh City took longer than we anticipated, leaving us a bit rushed at the temple.