Cao Dai Temple – Tay Ninh Travel Guide
Cao Dai Temple
Some 100km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh province shares a border with Cambodia. The province’s main river, the Vam Co Dong, separates Vietnam from Cambodia.From the 7th to the 14th centuries, Tay Ninh belonged to the powerful Funan empire. Later, it became part of the Chen La kingdom, the forerunner of the Champa kingdom. In the early 18th century, the Nguyen lords defeated the last remnats of Champa and established the province of Gia Dinh, which integrated and administered Tay Ninh. During the war against the French, Tay Ninh was a hot bed of anti-colonial resistance, and in the 1950s, bearing the standard of the Cao Dai religious sect, a hero of the armed resistance forces conducted his efforts against the central government in the Nui Ba Den ( Black Lady Mountain) area.
Festivals and events
Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival
This festival lasts from the 15th to the 18th of the 1st lunar month. It is a very popular and joyful celebration taking place in the spring, right after the New Year’s holiday, when the weather is still nice and the vegetation is blossoming. Many pilgrims go there to pray, but also to go sightseeing and enjoy the entertainment.
Via Ba Festival
This festival is held on the 5th and 6th of the 5th lunar month. At midnight on the eve of the 5th, the statue of Ba is solemnly bathed in the temple devoted to her cult. At this moment, the temple’s gate is closed and no visitor can participate to the bathing ceremony, held by an old woman. Then joss sticks are burned, lanterns are lit, and the different gates and doors of the temple are opened for the visitors. Towards 6 in the morning, monks wrapped in their yellow costumes come from neighbouring pagodas to perform the ceremony. Until 8 at night, the incense smoke emanates from the altars devoted to Linh Son Thanh Mau, Ba Chua Xu, Buddha, the Guardians of the Temple, Giam Trai, and to Mr Tieu.
Tay Ninh Travel & Tourism Attraction
Cao Dai Temple
Located 4 km east of Tay Ninh town, Cao Dai Temple is a famous complex of buildings. Built between 1936 and 1955, it is located in the middle of a garden. The most interesting building in this complex is the Great Temple built according to architectural influences of the Cao Dai sect. The construction is an harmonious fusion of Asian and European styles, with domes and embellishments showing the spirit of the religion. In the complex, visitors can admire other beautiful building such as Chanh Mon Gate, the four towers, the Mother of Buddha temple, and in particular the Garden of Ba Hue with many unusual flowers. The biggest festival taking place every year is Dieu Tri Kim Mau festival ( on the 15 th of the 8th lunar month ) . The festivities are impregnated with the people’s unique spirit and attract tens of thousands of people coming from every corner of the country. Visitors can go to Long Hoa Market, the biggest market in Tay Ninh, where vegetarian foods of all kind are sold.
Getting to Tay Ninh
To get to highway 22 head down to Tan Binh. Three roads converge on the highway – Truong Chinh, Cong Hoa and Au Co [ Ho Chi Minh City map ]. Truong Chinh is a continuation of Cach Mang Thang Tam as it heads out of town. Au Co can be reached by following 3 thang 2 street out of town and turing right at the crossroads wit Le Dai Hanh. This road eventually changes into Au Co. Once on the highway be aware that motorbikes must keep to the hard shoulder. However, when it passes Cu Chi, all vihicles are allowed on the main drag. Tay Ninh town is 96 km from central Ho Chi Minh City.
