Cao Dai Great Temple: A Spiritual and Architectural Marvel

📍 Location: Long Hoa, Tay Ninh, Vietnam
⏳ Opening Hours: Daily, from dawn to dusk
⛪ Service Times: 6 AM, Noon, & 6 PM
💰 Entrance Fee: Free

Nestled a few kilometers off Highway 22 in the town of Long Hoa, the Cao Dai Great Temple—also known as the Holy See of Tay Ninh—stands as one of Vietnam’s most fascinating religious landmarks. Constructed in 1927, this vibrant temple serves as the headquarters of Caodaism, a unique syncretic faith blending elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.

A Dazzling First Impression

Approaching the temple, visitors pass through a grand gateway leading to the impressive multi-colored façade. At first glance, the structure may appear slightly tilted—an optical illusion created by the ascending interior steps. British novelist Graham Greene famously described the temple as a “Walt Disney fantasia of the East,” with its colorful dragons, snakes, and celestial motifs.

The elaborate exterior features:
✔ Two pagoda-style towers flanking the entrance.
✔ A central portico, topped with a curved first-floor balcony.
✔ The Divine Eye, a recurring symbol of Cao Dai, prominently displayed above the entrance—similar to the design found on the American one-dollar bill.

Each of the temple’s twin towers features a semi-relief sculpture of key figures in Caodaism:
🔹 Left Tower: Lam Huong Thanh, the first female cardinal of the faith.
🔹 Right Tower: Le Van Trung, the religion’s first pope.

Step Inside the Cao Dai Great Temple

The temple’s interior is just as spectacular as its exterior, reflecting the eclectic nature of Caodaism. A striking blend of cathedral, pagoda, and Hindu temple aesthetics, the space is adorned with bright primary colors, vaulted ceilings, and religious iconography.

🚪 Entrance Rules:
🔹 Men enter through the right door, while women use the left door.
🔹 Shoes must be removed before stepping inside.

Inside, a striking mural depicts the three “signatories” of the Third Alliance Between God and Mankind:
🖊️ Victor Hugo – The famous French poet writes the Cao Dai principles in French.
📜 Nguyen Binh Khiem – The renowned 15th-century Vietnamese poet inscribes the doctrine in Chinese.
🖋️ Sun Yat Sen – The Chinese nationalist leader holds an inkstone, symbolizing the fusion of Chinese and Christian civilizations, which gave birth to Caodaism.

A Unique Spiritual Experience

Visitors are welcome to observe the daily prayer ceremonies, where Cao Dai priests dressed in color-coded robes representing different faiths chant and pray in unison. Whether you’re interested in spirituality, history, or architecture, the Cao Dai Great Temple is a must-visit destination that offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience in Vietnam.