Tay Ninh
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Tay Ninh is the holy site of Caodaism, probably Vietnam's most curious indigenous religion. Caodaism, founded in 1926 by Ngo Minh Chieu, is an attempt at an ideal religion, using religious and philosophical traditions from the West and the East, including Buddhism, Confusianism, Taoism, Hinduism, native Vietnamese spiritism, Christianity and Islam. The eclectism of the religion is reflected in the Great

Temple. Built between 1933 and 1955, it combines architectural elements of a church, a pagoda in an extravagant rocco style. The ceremony at the Great Cao Dai temple has a visually beautiful ritual, with the ordinary clergy in white robes and only the high priest wearing color. Traditional music is sung and played as well. It takes place daily at noon (there are three others during the day, but it's too dark then), and visitors are admitted on upstairs balconies. Past the first half-hour, the crowds of tourists will thin out, so there is no need to jockey for position.

Cao Dai Great Temple built between 1933 and 1955. The Great Temple is 140m long and 40m wide. It has 4 towers each with a different name: Tam Dai, Hiep Thien Dai, Cuu Trung Dai, and Bat Quai Dai. The interior of the temple consists of a colonnaded hall and a sanctuary. The 2 rows of columns are decorated with dragons and are coated in white, red, and blue paint. The domed ceiling is divided into 9 parts similar to a night sky full of stars and symbolizing heaven. Under the dome is a giant star-speckled blue globe on which is painted the Divine Eye, the official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha.

Everyday, there are 4 times of services, 6 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., and midnight, on our tour visiting Cu Chi tunnels and Tay Ninh province, we can witness the solemn ceremony of the unique religion - Caodaism at Caodai Holly See at its noon tide prayer service with followers dressed in red, blue, yellow and white robes.

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