Cao Dai Temple
Cao Dai Temple
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
112 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
41
Average
30
Poor
9
Terrible
4
pinoytraveller2
Luzon, Philippines15,074 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
The Cao Dai Temple in Da Nang is located along a busy street so you won't miss it if you are coming to/from Hoi An. It lacks the grandeur of the Cao Dai Cathedral in Tay Ninh. There was practically no one around when we visited. The architecture is Vietnamese and provides a good photo opportunity.
Written April 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike C
Ipoh, Malaysia212 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
I stumble upon this religion which consists of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Confucianism, etc called Caodism when we came across this temple in Da Nang city itself. It is just opposite the main hospital.
Apparently, it had its origins in the city of Tay Ninh back in 1926. They seem to have a sizeable following in Vietnam and around the world where Vietnamese communities are established.
Worth the visit if you are within the vicinity.
Apparently, it had its origins in the city of Tay Ninh back in 1926. They seem to have a sizeable following in Vietnam and around the world where Vietnamese communities are established.
Worth the visit if you are within the vicinity.
Written November 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hansai_Dinh
Los Angeles, CA42 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
I've visited the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh, and of course this one pales in comparison. However, the style and the warm reception from the people there are the same. If you're looking for a stunning architecture, you won't find it here. The good news is, this is not like the "commercial" temples in China where donations are heavily suggested (sometime you'd have to cough up some serious moneys for the entrance), or was built specifically for tourists.
This was how the religion was explained to me by a Cao Daist, not from the religious perspectives but more from a logical/historical point of view. Unproven, so don't beat me up for it.
During the French occupation, the "educated" class in Vietnam realized that an old culture - heavily influenced by the Chinese culture would lose its appeal with the young crowd. The new "westernized" culture brought by the French was frown upon by the older generation. The founder of Cao Dai cleverly came up with the idea of a new religion that would be appealing to both the old and the new generations.
It considers Gods from other religions as Messiahs or Divine Spirits, while the "Supreme Being" (God) that was represented by the See-All (Left) eye on the Globe. It went one step further with the messiah/divine spirit concepts. It said that Messiahs are Saints, and not just religious "Saints" that were widely accepted before (Jesus, Buddha, Quan Yin, etc. etc.), but also anybody who have contributed to the good of humanity, including writers, politicians, commoners, That explains Victor Hugo, Sun Yat Sen paintings on the main wall at the main temple in Tay Ninh. These are classified as Divine Spirits -
The man also gave an explanation from the religious perspective, but it was too complicated and mystifying (12 fold hierarchy). I found the logical/historical explanation fascinating.
Initially the French tolerated the expansion of Cao Dai, but it grew fast and wide. People came as far as Cambodia to visit the main temple, and the religion spread throughout South Vietnam. Its influence competed with the Vietminh and various rebel groups in South Vietnam, as well as the French government, and later on with the Vietnamese government after the war.
The Vietnamese Government confiscated most of the lands and buildings in the Holy See in Tay Ninh, and still occupied them until today. Cao Dai received official recognition in 1997, but it was said that government interference has undermined the integrity and independence of the religion. The Da Nang temple was one of three run-away sects from the Holy See in Tay Ninh, but it still follows the same rituals.
I've been to several Cao Dai temples, they were all fascinating, not for the architecture but for its people. It reminds me of the open-arm policy of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
For those who plan a visit, their rituals are held 4 times a day: 6AM, 12:00PM, 6PM and 12AM.
Note that this is a true temple and not a tourist attractions. Due to the lack of recognition from the government for a very long time, the people on site are very happy to see visitors and a chance to explain their religion. Most don't speak English, but if you happen to meet a visiting high ranking person, it's worth the time to hear their stories.
This was how the religion was explained to me by a Cao Daist, not from the religious perspectives but more from a logical/historical point of view. Unproven, so don't beat me up for it.
During the French occupation, the "educated" class in Vietnam realized that an old culture - heavily influenced by the Chinese culture would lose its appeal with the young crowd. The new "westernized" culture brought by the French was frown upon by the older generation. The founder of Cao Dai cleverly came up with the idea of a new religion that would be appealing to both the old and the new generations.
It considers Gods from other religions as Messiahs or Divine Spirits, while the "Supreme Being" (God) that was represented by the See-All (Left) eye on the Globe. It went one step further with the messiah/divine spirit concepts. It said that Messiahs are Saints, and not just religious "Saints" that were widely accepted before (Jesus, Buddha, Quan Yin, etc. etc.), but also anybody who have contributed to the good of humanity, including writers, politicians, commoners, That explains Victor Hugo, Sun Yat Sen paintings on the main wall at the main temple in Tay Ninh. These are classified as Divine Spirits -
The man also gave an explanation from the religious perspective, but it was too complicated and mystifying (12 fold hierarchy). I found the logical/historical explanation fascinating.
Initially the French tolerated the expansion of Cao Dai, but it grew fast and wide. People came as far as Cambodia to visit the main temple, and the religion spread throughout South Vietnam. Its influence competed with the Vietminh and various rebel groups in South Vietnam, as well as the French government, and later on with the Vietnamese government after the war.
The Vietnamese Government confiscated most of the lands and buildings in the Holy See in Tay Ninh, and still occupied them until today. Cao Dai received official recognition in 1997, but it was said that government interference has undermined the integrity and independence of the religion. The Da Nang temple was one of three run-away sects from the Holy See in Tay Ninh, but it still follows the same rituals.
I've been to several Cao Dai temples, they were all fascinating, not for the architecture but for its people. It reminds me of the open-arm policy of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
For those who plan a visit, their rituals are held 4 times a day: 6AM, 12:00PM, 6PM and 12AM.
Note that this is a true temple and not a tourist attractions. Due to the lack of recognition from the government for a very long time, the people on site are very happy to see visitors and a chance to explain their religion. Most don't speak English, but if you happen to meet a visiting high ranking person, it's worth the time to hear their stories.
Written December 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacey
Suffolk, UK79 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
We visited the Cao Dai temple whilst in Ho Chi Minh on a day trip. When we arrived we were made to feel very rushed by one of the volunteers (coloured strap on the arm of their uniform) who was trying to usher us up the stairs while our guide was still talking. When we got up there he stood peering round the columns at us making us feel very uncomfortable.
When the mass started there was a young boy present who clearly had learning disabilities. When the loud gongs started going he kept raising his hands and he was move to the back because of this. As soon as he did anything wrong he was scolded by the volunteers. It was very disturbing and alarming to watch. A man who was praying had his arm outstretched on the wall and one of the volunteers walked up behind him and hit his arm with a stick.
After this we decided we had seen enough and would go back outside to meet our guide. While standing there we heard shouts and the young boy had been thrown out of the service. He was pushed across the road bare foot (it was around 35 degrees and the floor was scolding).
For a religion that claims to be about humanity, love and peace we did not feel we were shown that today. I, and my group, were all very disturbed by the way this was handled and would not recommend tourism of a place that supports this kind of mistreatment of humans!
When the mass started there was a young boy present who clearly had learning disabilities. When the loud gongs started going he kept raising his hands and he was move to the back because of this. As soon as he did anything wrong he was scolded by the volunteers. It was very disturbing and alarming to watch. A man who was praying had his arm outstretched on the wall and one of the volunteers walked up behind him and hit his arm with a stick.
After this we decided we had seen enough and would go back outside to meet our guide. While standing there we heard shouts and the young boy had been thrown out of the service. He was pushed across the road bare foot (it was around 35 degrees and the floor was scolding).
For a religion that claims to be about humanity, love and peace we did not feel we were shown that today. I, and my group, were all very disturbed by the way this was handled and would not recommend tourism of a place that supports this kind of mistreatment of humans!
Written May 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ronnieleetravels
Ratliff City, OK74 contributions
May 2012 • Business
Take your camera. you will love what you see and wish you had it. Beautiful place
Written May 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TomTini21
München31 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Don't be fooled by the colorous pictures for this cao tai temple. Lots of people uploaded pics from a different and bigger cao dai temple in Tai Ninh- in the south f vietnam.
So if you are after the colourful temple dont waste your time here.
So if you are after the colourful temple dont waste your time here.
Written August 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kingwy
Hong Kong, China12 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
So unique! So colorful! So eye catching! Don't miss the ceremony around noon.
Written July 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ka Chun
Hong Kong, China4 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Every 0600,1200, 1800 and 0000 there will be ceremony and I went there at 1200. Many tourists came and left without much investigation. But if you google it, Cao Dai is an interesting religious which merges few religious together. Worth to take a look at their colourful and western-estern style architecture.
Written January 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobertJones
9 contributions
Apr 2015
There's not a lot to see, and you are followed closely by the nuns. I was hoping for some brief explanations, but got none. Still, it's worth a stop for some photos if you're in the area.
Written August 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andytory
Suzhou China13 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
We were on a day trip to Cu Chi tunnels and decided to go to this temple as well. There are apparently 4 prayer times a day (6am, 12pm, 6pm and 12am), but we visited in time for the midday ceremony. It was most interesting with an 'orchestra' of people playing traditional instruments and singing as a large congregation of people largely dressed in white robes processed in. The ceremony lasted 45 minutes and kept our (by that I mean my kids) attention for the most part. The building is quite an interesting design with lots of colour. There are well manicured gardens on the sides of the temple, which the kids enjoyed exploring for a short while too.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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