Tay Ninh: Ba Den Mountain, Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Summary

Ba Den’s misty summit, Cao Dai’s colors, and Cu Chi’s silence

You’ll ride a cable car up Ba Den Mountain for hazy views over rice fields, step inside Cao Dai Temple during its hypnotic midday ceremony, and crawl through real sections of the Cu Chi Tunnels with a local guide sharing stories along the way. Expect honest food and small surprises that stick with you long after you’re back in Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s the experience like?

I keep thinking about that first cold rush of air when we stepped out of the van near Ba Den Mountain. It was early but already busy — vendors frying something sweet and sticky, incense smoke curling around temple steps. Our guide, Minh, handed me a ticket for the cable car (I’d prepaid to skip the line — worth it). The ride up was strangely quiet except for kids giggling behind us. At the top, I touched the bronze Buddha’s foot — it was cool and smooth, and people around me were murmuring prayers I couldn’t quite catch. The view stretched all the way to Cambodia, or so Minh said. Maybe he was joking? Hard to tell with him sometimes.

Lunch happened in this little spot in Tay Ninh where the chairs wobbled but the rice tasted like it had just been picked. There was a dish with morning glory greens that I still crave now. After that we walked into Cao Dai Temple right as their noon ceremony started — a swirl of yellow robes and chanting that filled every corner of the hall. Minh explained how Caodaism blends Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism… honestly I lost track but you could feel everyone’s focus on that big painted Eye above the altar. I tried to say “thank you” in Vietnamese to one of the worshippers; she smiled but I probably got it wrong.

The drive to Cu Chi Tunnels felt long after lunch — humid air pressing in through half-open windows. When we finally got there, our group followed Minh down into those narrow passageways (I almost bailed but didn’t want to be That Person). He showed us secret doors and old trapdoors; at one point he handed out pieces of boiled cassava and hot tea like they used during wartime. It tasted plain but comforting somehow. There was this moment underground where everyone just went quiet — no phones, no talking — just listening to our own breathing and maybe thinking about what happened here before us.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tay Ninh tour with mountain and tunnels

• 07:00 am hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City
• Drive to Tay Ninh Province (3 hours)
• Visit Ba Den Mountain summit by cable car
• See tallest bronze Buddha statue
• Enjoy local lunch
• Visit Cao Dai Temple and watch noon ceremony
• Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and learn history
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City (arrive evening)

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Tay Ninh?

The tour lasts about 12 hours including travel time between sites.

Is hotel pickup included for this Tay Ninh tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for central District 1 & 4 hotels.

Can I skip the cable car line at Ba Den Mountain?

If you prepay for your ticket with the tour provider, you can skip queues.

What is served for lunch on this day trip?

You’ll have authentic Vietnamese dishes at a local restaurant in Tay Ninh.

Are entrance fees included for Ba Den Mountain & Cu Chi Tunnels?

Yes, all entry fees are included in your booking price.

Is an English-speaking guide provided throughout?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the entire day trip.

How much walking or physical activity is involved?

You’ll walk around temples and may crawl short distances in tunnels; moderate fitness is fine.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central Ho Chi Minh City, round-trip transport by minibus or limousine depending on your option, entry tickets for all main sites including Ba Den Mountain (with optional cable car), bottled water plus tea and tapioca at Cu Chi Tunnels, an English-speaking guide throughout, and a traditional Vietnamese lunch before heading back in the evening.