Tây Ninh Province

Region · 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Tây Ninh is a province north-west of Ho Chi Minh City, on the border with Cambodia. It is the home of Caodaism, a religion founded in the 1920s, and its Holy See is a colourful temple complex that draws many visitors. The province also has Núi Bà Đen, the highest mountain in southern Vietnam, with a cable car and a pilgrim site.

Most visitors come on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, about 100 km away.

Printable tourist map

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When to visit

November to April is the best time, with dry, sunny weather. May to October is the rainy season, with afternoon storms. The Cao Đài ceremonies at the Holy See take place daily at noon. Núi Bà Đen is busy during Tết and in the first lunar months, when pilgrims climb the mountain.

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

33° (feels like 35°) · extremes 17°–37°
21° at night
2 rainy days
18 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Up to 10 days above 35°

Typical weather in February

Poor

37° (feels like 38°) · extremes 19°–39°
23° at night
1 rainy day
18 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Up to 22 days above 35°

Typical weather in March

Poor

39° (feels like 40°) · extremes 22°–41°
25° at night
3 rainy days
15 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 29 days above 35°

Typical weather in April

Poor

38° (feels like 40°) · extremes 24°–42°
26° at night
8 rainy days
8 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Up to 25 days above 35°

Typical weather in May

Poor

35° (feels like 38°) · extremes 24°–41°
26° at night
19 rainy days
5 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Up to 13 days above 35°

Typical weather in June

Poor

32° (feels like 36°) · extremes 24°–36°
25° at night
22 rainy days
4 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Poor

31° (feels like 35°) · extremes 23°–34°
24° at night
24 rainy days
2 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Poor

31° (feels like 35°) · extremes 23°–34°
24° at night
23 rainy days
2 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in September

Poor

30° (feels like 35°) · extremes 23°–34°
24° at night
23 rainy days
1 sunny day
5 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in October

Poor

31° (feels like 35°) · extremes 22°–33°
24° at night
24 rainy days
6 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in November

Poor

31° (feels like 35°) · extremes 20°–35°
23° at night
15 rainy days
11 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in December

Fair

31° (feels like 34°) · extremes 18°–35°
21° at night
6 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Tòa Thánh Tây Ninh is the main temple of the Cao Đài religion, with bright colours and a mix of Asian and Western styles. Visitors can watch the noon ceremony from the upper gallery.
Núi Bà Đen is the highest mountain in southern Vietnam, at about 986 metres, with temples on the slopes.
Khu du lịch Núi Bà Đen is the tourist park at the foot of the mountain, with the cable car and pagodas.
Gratitude Retribution Temple is a temple area near the Holy See.

Featured Lists

Nguyễn Thanh Quang / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Tây Ninh Essentials

Tây Ninh is defined by its spiritual significance and natural landmarks. The Cao Dai Holy See serves as the global center for Caodaism, showcasing a blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles. Nearby, the 986-meter Black Virgin Mountain features a complex of Buddhist temples and the world's tallest bronze Buddha statue on a mountain peak. The region also encompasses the Ben Duoc section of the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Dầu Tiếng Reservoir, alongside markets famous for regional dew-wetted rice paper.

8 places

Mike Fernwood / CC BY-SA 2.0

Spiritual Landmarks

Tây Ninh is the birthplace of Caodaism, anchored by the architectural grandeur of the Holy See. The region’s spiritual landscape is dominated by the Black Virgin Mountain, home to the 18th-century Linh Sơn Tiên Thạch Tự. This collection highlights the province's religious diversity, featuring historic Catholic parishes like Tha La, traditional Khmer pagodas, and memorial temples that blend spiritual reverence with national history.

7 places

What to experience

Watch the noon ceremony: Dress modestly and be quiet. Visitors can watch from the gallery.
Ride the cable car up Núi Bà Đen: Views over the plains and the lake.
Climb the mountain: A trail goes up through the temples. Start early.
Taste local food: Tây Ninh is known for its salt shrimp and rice paper.

Tours & Activities

Tây Ninh Province — Map

Tây Ninh Province — Printable Tourist Map Open the interactive map

Day trips

Ho Chi Minh City: Ho Chi Minh City is the usual base, about 2 hours by road.
Cu Chi Tunnels: A war site on the way between the city and Tây Ninh.
Cambodia: The Mộc Bài border crossing is open to travellers with a visa.
Cat Tien: Cát Tiên National Park is a longer trip to the north-east.

Where to explore

South-east: Ho Chi Minh City is the main gateway.
East: Dong Nai has Đồng Nai and nature reserves.
Delta: Mekong Delta lies to the south-west.

Getting there

By bus: Buses run from Ho Chi Minh City's Miền Tây and Củ Chi stations to Tây Ninh in about 2 hours.
By tour: Many day tours from Ho Chi Minh City combine the Holy See and Cu Chi Tunnels.
By car: The drive from Ho Chi Minh City takes about 2 hours.
By train and air: There is no railway or airport. Vietnam Railways

Getting around

Taxi and ride-hailing: Available in Tây Ninh city.
Motorbike hire: Easy to rent, and the best way to reach the mountain.
Cable car: Runs up Núi Bà Đen from the tourist park.
Walking: The Holy See complex is easy to walk around.

Driving

Is a car worth it? A car with a driver is a good option for a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
Roads: Highway 22 is busy near the city.
Parking: Free at the Holy See. Paid at the mountain.

Food & drink

Tây Ninh food has simple local ingredients. Try muối tôm, salted shrimp with chilli, bánh tráng phơi sương, soft rice paper, and bánh canh Trảng Bàng, a thick noodle soup. Vegetarian food is common near the Cao Đài temples.

Breakfast

Pho PhởBeef or chicken noodle soup with a fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and rice noodles; commonly eaten for breakfast.

Lunch

Bun Cha Bún chảGrilled pork patties and slices served with rice vermicelli, herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce; a Hanoi specialty.

Bun Bo Hue Bún bò HuếA spicy, lemongrass-scented beef noodle soup from the city of Hue.

Cao Lau Cao lầuA noodle dish unique to Hoi An, with thick chewy noodles, pork, and greens, traditionally made with local well water.

Snacks & street food

Banh Mi Bánh mìA French-influenced baguette sandwich filled with pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs.

Banh Xeo Bánh xèoA crispy turmeric rice-flour crepe filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs.

Goi Cuon Gỏi cuốnFresh (uncooked) spring rolls filled with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, wrapped in rice paper.

Sweets & desserts

Che ChèA category of sweet dessert soups or puddings made with beans, fruit, jelly, and coconut milk, served hot or over ice.

Drinks

Ca Phe Sua Da Cà phê sữa đáStrong drip coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk; Vietnam's signature drink.

Bia Hoi Bia hơiCheap, light draft beer brewed fresh daily and sold at street-side stalls, especially in Hanoi.

Safety & health

Tây Ninh is safe for visitors.

Dress modestly at the Holy See: cover your shoulders and knees.
Do not take photos in the main hall during the ceremony.
The climb up the mountain is hot and steep. Bring water.
If you cross to Cambodia, carry your passport and visa.
Protect against mosquitoes in the rainy season.

History

Caodaism was founded in Tây Ninh in 1926 and blends elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity. The Holy See was built in the 1930s as the centre of the faith and the base of a religious state.

The province was heavily fought over in the Vietnam War because of its border with Cambodia. Today it is a quiet province known for its pilgrim sites.