Cu Chi Tunnel & Cao Dai Temple
The Great holy See temple, buit in 1926, is considered one of the most striking structures in all of Asia. It is the headquter of Caodaism, a relegion with colorful mix of Buddhism, Christiannity, Confucianism.
You will visit the Great Temple of Caodaism in Tay Ninh, about 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City. The Temple is built on nine levels that represent nine steps to heaven at which you will see a prayer session at noon. Caodaism is a Vietnamese religion with its philosophy based on Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity. Its tenets include believing in one God, the existence of the soul and the ability to communicate with the spiritual world. You will stop for about 2 hours to visit Ben Dinh tunnel, a section of the 200 km-long Cu Chi tunnel network that was built over 2 decades and used as an army base during the Vietnamese-American War. You will be amazed at the tunnels with their underground storey including trap-door, living areas, storage, weapon factories, field hospitals, kitchen, command centers, etc. You can also fire M-16, AK-47, carbine rifle. Overnight in Hochiminh city.
Time: 8:15am
Firstly, we will go straight to Tay Ninh to visit the Great Cao Dai Holy See, a place of pilgrimage for quite a few southern Vietnamese and for those who are interested in Caodaism.
Ø At its noontime prayer service, under the ever-watchful eye, we will enjoy a peculiar solemn ceremony accompanied by special religious hymns with congregations attired in lively red, yellow, blue, and white.
Ø After having lunch in Tay Ninh (about 25,000 VND) we will go to the underground village and tunnels in Ben Dinh-Cu Chi, which was the bitter batle ground for many years during Vietnam War.
Ø The experience of creeping a short distance under the labyrinthine interlaced tunnels which spread over 200km is unexplainable.
Ø Moreover, along the road to the tunnels is picturesque scenery of peasants working on their green paddies and boys flying kites on their buffalos here and there offers you some insight Vietnamese agricultural life.
Back by: 7:00pm
Included: A/C bus, tour guide
Excluded: Tunnels entrance fee (70.000 VND), lunch, drinks, and incidentals
*wear breathable waist-and- shoulder-covered clothing and shoes with good traction.