Cao Dai Temple & Ba Den Mountain tour from Ho Chi Minh City

Watch the midday mass at Cao Dai Temple, then ride the cable car to Ba Den Mountain's peak

A small-group guided tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Tây Ninh province combines a visit to Cao Dai Temple (where you'll witness the vibrant midday mass) with a cable car ride up Ba Den Mountain for panoramic views of the countryside. The tour includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, Vietnamese lunch, and the return drive to the city, running roughly 11 to 12 hours total. Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cao Dai Temple and Ba Den Mountain tour

• Pick up guests from hotels
• Travel to Tây Ninh province
• Visit Cao Dai Temple and watch midday mass
• Ride cable car up Ba Den Mountain
• Explore ancient pagodas and local legends
• Enjoy Vietnamese buffet or set-menu lunch
• Drive back to Saigon through countryside
• Drop off at pick-up point or central location

The experience

Hotel pickup starts at 7:00 a.m., and the drive to Tây Ninh province takes about two hours through southern Vietnamese countryside. You'll have a brief stop along the way if needed. Once you arrive, the tour centers on two main sites: Cao Dai Temple, where the day's spiritual focus unfolds during the vibrant midday mass, and Ba Den Mountain, the region's most recognizable landmark. The cable car carries you to the peak, where you stand above the surrounding landscape with sweeping views across Tây Ninh and the peaceful countryside below.

At Ba Den Mountain, you explore ancient pagodas scattered across the slopes and learn the local legends tied to the "Black Lady": the mountain's revered spiritual figure. The cable car ride itself is part of the experience, not just transport. After the mountain, a Vietnamese buffet or set-menu lunch refuels the group before the scenic drive back. The return journey takes about 2.5 hours, and you can ask to be dropped at your original hotel or any central location you prefer.

An English-speaking guide leads the entire day, handling the route and the stories behind both sites. Two bottles of water per person come with the tour, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps the group comfortable during the long drives. The tour works for all fitness levels, though the cable car and mountain exploration require basic mobility.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 7:00 a.m. and return drop-off to your hotel or a central location.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• cable car ride up and down Ba Den Mountain.
• entry to Cao Dai Temple.
• Vietnamese buffet or set-menu lunch.
• two bottles of water per person.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private tour of Ba Den Mountain only.Up to 12 people · Guide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:30Visit to Ba Den Mountain only, including a round-trip cable car to the top of Bà Đen (Black Virgin) Mountain. Transfer by private car. This option does not cover Cao Dai Temple. Pickup is included.

Private tour of the Temple and Mount.Up to 12 people · Guide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:30Includes a round-trip cable car ride to the top of Bà Đen (Black Virgin) Mountain. Personal tour that is flexible and can be customized. Visit 2 attractions: Cao Dai Temple and Ba Den Mountain. Transfer by private car. This option does not cover the Cu Chi tunnels. Pickup is included.

Small-Group TourUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 07:30Small group tours are capped at 12 participants per group. Visit 2 attractions in one day: Cao Dai Temple and Ba Den Mountain. Shared mini-van transport, and pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Asiana Link Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the small-group tour to split costs with other travelers, or book private if your party wants one guide who can pause longer at each temple and mountain viewpoint.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Cao Dai Temple and why does the tour visit during midday?

Cao Dai Temple is the spiritual center of Tây Ninh province and home to a unique Vietnamese religion that blends Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The tour times the visit to coincide with the vibrant midday mass, when the temple fills with worshippers in colorful robes and the rituals are most active. This is when the temple's visual and spiritual energy is strongest.

What time does the tour return to Ho Chi Minh City?

The tour departs at 7:00 a.m. and runs 11 to 12 hours total, so you return to the city by early evening. The exact time depends on traffic and your chosen drop-off location, but the return drive from Tây Ninh takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Can I book this tour privately instead of in a small group?

Yes, a private tour option is available for the full itinerary (Cao Dai Temple and Ba Den Mountain), and a private option exists for Ba Den Mountain alone if you prefer to skip the temple. Choose at checkout based on your group size and interests.

What should I know before booking if I have health concerns?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health, as it involves cable car travel and walking on mountain slopes. It is suitable for all other fitness levels, but the day is long (11 to 12 hours) and includes significant driving.