Ba Den Mountain & Cu Chi Tunnels Tour from Ho Chi Minh City

Ride the cable car above Ba Den Mountain, then descend into the tunnels where the Viet Cong operated underground.

A full-day guided tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh Province combines three distinct stops: Ba Den Mountain (accessed by cable car with views across the province), the Cao Dai Holy See (a temple blending Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian traditions), and the Cu Chi Tunnels (a network of wartime passages). The tour includes hotel pickup, lunch, entrance fees, a guide in English or another language, and a light snack at the tunnels. The cable car ride is a separate choice at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Cao Dai Temple1h · entry included
2. Cu Chi Tunnels1h · entry included

Explore Tay Ninh's spiritual and historic sites

• Pickup from hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
• Drive to Tay Ninh Province with break
• Ride cable car to Ba Den Mountain summit
• Visit Tay Bo Da Son Buddha and Ba Linh complex
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch at local restaurant
• Tour Cao Dai Holy See and temple grounds
• Visit Cu Chi tunnels and explore underground
• Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and drop off

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and a drive northwest to Tay Ninh Province, roughly 99 kilometers away. A short break en route lets you stretch and explore a local market before arriving at Ba Den Mountain, known as the "Roof of Southern Vietnam." The Sun World cable car carries you above forests and rocky cliffs toward the summit, where the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha, one of Asia's tallest bronze statues, stands against panoramic views of the province. From there, you walk through the Ba Linh spiritual complex, a cluster of pagodas, caves and shrines built into the mountainside where Buddhist pilgrims have gathered for generations.

After lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional Vietnamese dishes, you travel to the Cao Dai Holy See, the spiritual center of Cao Daiism. The temple's colorful architecture and intricate decorations reflect a fusion of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, Christian and other religious influences: a blend unique to this Vietnamese faith. Your guide walks you through the temple grounds and explains the history and symbolism of the religion. If timing aligns, you may witness the daily prayer ceremony performed by Cao Dai followers.

The final stop is the Cu Chi Tunnels, a labyrinth of underground passages that served as the operations base for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. You explore the tunnels with your guide explaining their role in the conflict, and a light snack of tapioca and tea is provided. The drive back to Ho Chi Minh City follows through countryside, with drop-off at your hotel concluding the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Ho Chi Minh City.
• entrance to Ba Den Mountain, the Cao Dai Holy See and Cu Chi Tunnels.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• a light snack with tapioca and tea at the tunnels.
• a bottle of water.
• an English-speaking guide (other languages available for an additional fee).
• and transport in an air-conditioned private car throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group TourGuide in English · 06:00 and 06:30includes pickup

Private tour with flexible timingGuide in 8 languages · 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Pickup is included. Duration: 11 hours. Several language options are available, including English, German, French, Spanish, and more. Flexible schedule and itinerary. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Vietnam Travel Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour option if you want flexibility in timing and a dedicated guide for your group. The group tour option suits travelers who prefer a set schedule and shared costs. The cable car at Ba Den Mountain is optional, so you can add it if aerial views and the summit Buddha statue appeal to you, or skip it if you prefer to explore the spiritual complex on foot.

Traveler reviews

4.33★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In English, at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 08:00. In Spanish, French, German, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese, at 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): 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 Ba Den Mountain and why do people visit it?

Ba Den Mountain, known as the "Roof of Southern Vietnam," is a pilgrimage site tied to the legend of Lady Black (Ly Thi Thien Huong). Visitors ride the cable car to the summit to see the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue and explore sacred pagodas, caves and shrines built into the mountainside.

Can I choose whether to ride the cable car at Ba Den Mountain?

The cable car is a separate choice at checkout. You can add it to your tour or explore the mountain area without it, depending on which option you select when booking.

What happens at the Cao Dai Holy See?

The Cao Dai Holy See is the spiritual center of Cao Daiism, a Vietnamese religion blending Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian traditions. Your guide walks you through the colorful temple grounds and explains the history and beliefs. If timing permits, you may see the daily prayer ceremony performed by followers.

What will I see and do at the Cu Chi Tunnels?

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground passages that served as the Viet Cong operations base during the Vietnam War. You explore the labyrinth with your guide, who explains the tunnels' role in the conflict, and a light snack is provided during the visit.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included at a local restaurant featuring regional Vietnamese specialties. The meal is part of the full-day itinerary and is served after your visit to Ba Den Mountain.