Ho Chi Minh – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour 1 Day

This private Ho Chi Minh – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels tour 1 day combines Vietnam’s most colourful religion with its most famous wartime site: you watch the 12:00 ceremony at the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh from the visitors’ gallery, have lunch, then explore the Cu Chi Tunnels before returning to Saigon at about 18:00.

Status (checked October 2026): the itinerary below is a sample that we tailor to your dates and interests. Since 1 July 2025 the Holy See is in Long Hoa ward of the new Tay Ninh province, which merged with Long An. The Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc are open daily from 7:00 to 17:00; foreign visitors pay a new ticket price from 1 February 2026, and entrance tickets are included in this tour.

Tour at a Glance

Is This Long Day Trip Worth It?

Yes, if you have only one day for excursions from Ho Chi Minh City and want to see both places. Combining them saves a second day and the Cu Chi Tunnels lie roughly on the way back from Tay Ninh. The noon ceremony at the Holy See is one of the most memorable sights in southern Vietnam.

The trade-off is time in the car – about 6 hours of driving in total. If you only want the tunnels, a half-day Cu Chi Tunnels trip is enough, and if you prefer a gentler day, our Mekong Delta day trip involves less driving.

Tour Highlights

1. The Cao Dai Holy See, Tay Ninh

Cao Dai is a Vietnamese religion founded in Tay Ninh in 1926 that blends Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. Its mother temple, the Holy See, was built between 1933 and 1955, with twin towers, dragon-wrapped pillars and the Divine Eye above the altar.

2. The 12:00 Noon Ceremony

Prayers are held daily at 6:00, 12:00, 18:00 and midnight. At noon, worshippers in white, yellow, blue and red robes file into the nave to music and chanting, while visitors watch quietly from the upstairs gallery. Arrive early – the best spots fill well before 12:00.

3. Cu Chi Tunnels

Dug by hand during the wars against France and the United States, the Cu Chi Tunnels hid living quarters, kitchens and command rooms underground. You see camouflaged entrances, booby-trap displays and can crawl through a short, widened section. Tripadvisor page.

4. Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh – Which Site?

There are two visitor sites. Ben Dinh, about 50–60 km from the city, is the busiest, with reconstructed and widened tunnels. Ben Duoc, about 70 km away, is quieter, includes more of the original system and has a memorial temple to the war dead. This sample itinerary uses Ben Duoc; Ben Dinh is available on request.

5. Optional Shooting Range

Both sites have a shooting range where visitors can fire wartime rifles. It is charged separately, at your own cost, and is entirely optional.

Who This Tour Is For – and Who Should Choose Another

Choose this tour if you:

• want to see both the Cao Dai Holy See and the Cu Chi Tunnels but have only one spare day;
• are interested in Vietnamese history, religion and the war;
• are happy with a long day and prefer a private car you can rest in between stops;
• would like to watch a living religious ceremony rather than only visit monuments.

Consider another option if you:

• dislike long drives – there are about 6 hours on the road;
• are claustrophobic or have knee or back problems – the tunnels are low and narrow, although crawling is optional;
• are travelling with small children – the day is long and some tunnel exhibits show weapons and traps;
• cannot arrive by noon – the ceremony is the highlight, so a late start misses it.

Why Book Direct with Vietnam Tour Expert

• Local Vietnamese team: we plan and operate our tours ourselves, so you deal directly with the people running your day.
• No middleman commission: booking direct means you pay a local price with our best price guarantee, rather than an online agency mark-up.
• Clear inclusions: hotel pick-up, your private car and guide, Cu Chi Tunnels entrance tickets, lunch and bottled water are all included.
• Fast replies: we answer every inquiry within 24 hours, and you can reach us on WhatsApp on +84 88 626 1368 before and during the tour.

Send us your travel dates and we will reply with a tailored quote.

Customise This Tour

This full-day programme is a starting point. Popular changes include:

• Cu Chi Tunnels only: a half-day morning trip, back in the city for lunch.
• Add Ba Den Mountain: stay overnight in Tay Ninh and visit Ba Den Mountain, southern Vietnam’s highest peak, the next morning.
• Choose your tunnel site: Ben Duoc for fewer crowds, or Ben Dinh for a shorter drive.
• Combine with the city: pair it with our Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta day tours for a complete 3 days in the south.

Customise this tour – tell us what you would like to change.

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Local Expert Notes by Jimmy

These notes come from years of arranging Cao Dai and Cu Chi tours for international travellers.

• Leave by 07:00: traffic out of Saigon is unpredictable, and arriving at the Holy See by about 11:15 gives you time to walk around before the ceremony.
• Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees for the Holy See, remove your hat inside, and follow the attendants’ directions in the gallery.
• Be a quiet observer: photos from the gallery are usually allowed, but no flash and no walking on the main floor during the service.
• Wear old clothes for Cu Chi: closed shoes and light clothes you do not mind getting dusty or muddy; bring insect repellent.
• Tunnels are optional: you can watch others crawl and still see the entrances, kitchens and traps above ground.
• Shooting range: it is loud – bring or borrow ear protection, and remember it is paid separately in cash.

More planning help: our Ho Chi Minh City travel guide, Cu Chi Tunnels guide, Saigon travel tips and getting around Saigon.

Ready to plan? Send us an inquiry with your dates and group size – we reply within 24 hours.

Updated 10 October 2026 · By Jimmy, Vietnam Tour Expert

About This Ho Chi Minh – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour 1 Day

This private full-day tour drives north-west from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh, about 2.5–3 hours away, in time for the 12:00 ceremony. After lunch you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on the way back, returning to the city at about 18:00.

Brief itinerary

• 07:00 – Hotel pick-up in central Ho Chi Minh City; drive to Tay Ninh
• Late morning – Cao Dai Holy See; noon ceremony from the visitors’ gallery
• Midday – Lunch at a local restaurant (L)
• Afternoon – Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh); optional shooting range at your own cost
• About 18:00 – Drop-off at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Price on request. 2026–2027 prices for this tour are being updated. Send us your travel dates for a quote.