This full-day tour takes you northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh Province (~95–100 km from the city), home to the Cao Dai Religion's Holy See and Ba Den Mountain, the "Roof of the South," at 986 meters above sea level. Here, you'll see a unique temple with dragon-shaped columns and a sky-blue ceiling, where a colorful ceremony takes place every day at midday with hundreds of devotees in white, yellow, blue, and red robes. Afterward, you'll ascend Ba Den by modern cable car to admire views of rice fields, pagodas, and a Buddha statue, and enjoy a walk to the summit without the grueling four-hour hike. This tour is perfect for those seeking a quiet, contemplative day with a focus on spirituality, architecture, and nature.
🔍 What awaits you
⭐ The Cao Dai Sacred See (Tay Ninh Holy See) is the main temple of the Cao Dai religion with dragon columns, a blue ceiling with clouds, and an altar with the symbol of the Divine Eye.
🙏 Midday Ceremony (12:00 PM) - Every day at midday, worshippers in yellow, blue, red, and white robes pray to traditional music; tourists watch from the balcony
🚡 The Ba Den cable car takes you up to 986m in 8 minutes along a 1,847m long cable car, instead of a multi-kilometer trek that takes several hours.
🛕 Ba Den Pagodas - time to visit the pagodas and temples located on the slopes and at the top, including the new Sun World Ba Den Mountain complexes
🍲 Lunch at a local restaurant - the price often includes a Vietnamese lunch in Tay Ninh or at the foot of Ba Den
🌾 Road through the province - along the way you will see rural southern Vietnam: fields, villages, rubber plantations (depending on the route)
ℹ️ Important information
Frequency : Daily, departure in the morning (6:30–7:00 am)
Duration : ~9–9,5 hours
Format : small group or private tour (depending on the chosen operator)
Best time : Dry season (November–April) – more stable weather for views of Ba Den; however, the cable car operates year-round
Dress code : At Cao Dai Temple, you must cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes before entering, and behave calmly. Taking photographs of people with the Divine Eye in the background is not recommended.
Restrictions : This tour is not recommended for people who find it difficult to sit on a bus for a long time or for those who are afraid of heights (cable car); in bad weather, the cable car may be temporarily suspended.
Ceremonies : Prayers are held 4 times a day (6:00, 12:00, 18:00 and midnight), for day tours from Ho Chi Minh City they are almost always tied to the midday ceremony
⭐ Tourist reviews
Maria L., Moscow ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This is a completely different Vietnam—peaceful and very spiritual. The Cao Dai Temple is stunning with its colors and details, and the midday ceremony is truly impressive, even if you're not religious at all. We took the cable car up to Ba Den—the views are stunning, especially of the rice fields below. The walk up is a bit long, but it's worth it."
Sergey P., St. Petersburg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I chose this tour for something unusual, and I didn't regret it. Cao Dai is a syncretic religion, and the guide explained in detail the origins of elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and Taoism. At midday, the temple fills with worshippers—we watched from the balcony; everything was very organized and calm. The cable car to Ba Den is super comfortable, and it's nice to stroll through the pagodas and take photos at the top."
Alsou G., Kazan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We've been to the Mekong and Cu Chi before and were looking for something different, and this tour was perfect. We really liked the temple: it's unlike either Buddhist pagodas or Catholic churches. The main thing is to dress modestly so as not to feel out of place. There are plenty of photo spots at the top of Ba Den, but it's best to wear comfortable shoes because there are plenty of steps. It was a busy, yet relaxed day."
Prices that surprise (in a good way!)
From $60–$99 per person in a small group, including cable car and lunch
From $99–$120+/person for small groups, price depends on group size
Typically, 50–75% of the adult fare; a separate child fare may apply depending on height/age (check with the operator)
Small children are often taken for free/at a reduced price when sharing accommodation, but some operators have age/height restrictions due to the cable car
The tour program
Pick up from hotels in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City and depart for Tay Ninh (approximately 2,5 hours' travel time)
Arrival at the Cao Dai Sacred See. A brief introduction from the guide about the Cao Dai religion, the symbolism of the "Divine Eye," and the rules of conduct.
You photograph the external architecture (façade, towers, statues), enter through separate entrances for men and women, stroll through the galleries and admire the columns with dragons and the sky ceiling.
At 12:00 PM, the main daytime ritual begins: hundreds of devotees in colorful robes take their places, traditional music plays, and prayers are recited. Tourists climb onto the balcony and observe the ceremony for 30–40 minutes.
Vietnamese set lunch (rice, meat/vegetable dishes, soup) in Tay Ninh or at the foot of Ba Den, depending on the operator.
Short transfer to the Sun World Ba Den Mountain complex.
You'll ascend the 1,847-meter-long cable car in about 8 minutes to an altitude of 986 meters. At the summit, there are observation decks, pagodas, statues, and a cafe; the guide gives you time for a walk and photos.
Descent by cable car, group assembly and departure to Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, drop off at hotels in the city center.
Tips for the guide and driver (usually $3–5 per person)
Personal expenses, additional drinks, souvenirs
Clothing/shawl rental if dress code is not followed (if required)
Travel insurance (usually not included separately)
Prayers are held 4 times a day (6:00, 12:00, 18:00 and midnight), for one-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City they are almost always tied to the midday ceremony.
This tour is not recommended for people who find it difficult to sit on a bus for a long time or for those who are afraid of heights (cable car); in bad weather, the cable car may be temporarily suspended.
👟 Comfortable closed shoes for the temple and walking on the summit
👕 Clothing with covered shoulders and knees (especially important for the temple)
🧥 A light cape - it can be a little cooler at the summit, especially if there is wind
🧴 Sunscreen, cap/hat, and sunglasses
💧 Extra water, especially during the hot season
📷 A camera or smartphone with a charger—the panoramas and interiors of the temple are very photogenic
💵 VND cash for souvenirs, temple donations, and extra drinks
- Secret Locations - We'll show you places off-limits to mass tours
- Personal photographer – professional shots of your adventures (30+ photos free!)
- VIP support - our guides speak 4 languages and know all the secrets
- Safety guaranteed – certified equipment and 5+ years of experience
- Local cuisine - lunch from a chef known only to the locals
- Instagram Bonus: We'll help you find the most photogenic angles
💁♀️ "I thought rafting was only for extreme sports enthusiasts. But everything was so well thought out here! Even my mom (59) participated and was thrilled!" — Anna, a blogger from Kazan
