The brightly painted Cao Dai Holy See, where followers hold noon services, plus the cable car up Nui Ba Den.
The Cao Dai Holy See at Tay Ninh is the headquarters of Caodaism, a Vietnamese religion founded in 1926 that blends Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity. Visitors may watch the noon ceremony from the upper gallery; modest dress is required and photography rules apply. Nearby Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain) is the highest peak in southern Vietnam at 986 m, with a cable car and pagodas.
Most visitors combine it with Cu Chi in a full-day tour at about 500,000-900,000 VND (~$19.01-34.22).
| Distance | About 100 km / 62 miles |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 2-2.5 hours each way |
| Getting there | Combined tour with Cu Chi, Grab car, or coach to Tay Ninh |
| Cost | Holy See free; Nui Ba Den cable car about 250,000-350,000 VND (~$9.51-13.31) |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Cao Dai Holy See, Long Hoa, Hoa Thanh, Tay Ninh Province |
How to get there
- Combined Cu Chi and Tay Ninh tour (about 500,000-900,000 VND / ~$19.01-34.22)
- Coach from Mien Tay or Mien Dong (about 90,000-130,000 VND / ~$3.42-4.94)
- Private car with driver (about 1,800,000-2,500,000 VND / ~$68.44-95.06)
Location
Cao Dai Holy See, Long Hoa, Hoa Thanh, Tay Ninh Province
11.3000, 106.1200 View on map
Highlights
- Noon ceremony watched from the upper gallery of the Holy See
- Brightly painted Cao Dai temple architecture
- Cable car up Nui Ba Den (986 m)
- Mountain pagodas on Black Virgin Mountain
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before noon to watch the ceremony from the upper gallery.
- Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Follow the photography rules inside the temple.
- Combined Cu Chi and Tay Ninh tours cost about 500,000-900,000 VND.
- The Nui Ba Den cable car costs about 250,000-350,000 VND.
When to visit
November to April is driest; aim to reach the Holy See before the noon ceremony.
Accessibility
The Holy See has steps and a gallery reached by stairs; the cable car eases the mountain, but mobility access overall is limited.
Frequently asked questions
What is Caodaism?
Caodaism is a Vietnamese religion founded in 1926 that blends Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity.
When is the ceremony held?
A ceremony takes place at noon, and visitors may watch from the upper gallery.
How far is Tay Ninh?
Tay Ninh is about 100 km northwest, roughly 2-2.5 hours each way.