A gentle breeze of spiritual curiosity swept through colonial Vietnam in the early 1920s, setting the stage for Caodaism’s birth. On October 25, 1926, a small group of spirit mediums in Tây Ninh proclaimed the founding of a new faith meant to unite East and West under one divine roof. The spark came through Ngô Văn Chiêu, a former civil servant with a penchant for spiritism, who began receiving otherworldly messages through séances. These communications—said to be voiced by figures as diverse as the Buddha, Confucius, Jesus Christ and Victor Hugo—urged the creation of a universal church.

Ngô Văn Chiêu declined the role of pontiff, passing the mantle to Phạm Công Tắc and a circle of devoted followers. They formalized rituals, designed the iconic eye-in-triangle emblem, and drafted a holy constitution that wove Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism and even spiritist practices into a single tapestry. By the late 1920s, the Cao Đài Holy See in Tây Ninh had become a living rainbow coalition of beliefs, complete with ornate temples, colorful vestments and a hierarchical clergy.

This modern syncretism felt like a breath of fresh air amid the rising tides of nationalism and colonial rule. Today, Caodaism stands as one of Vietnam’s major religions—its followers numbering in the millions. Ahead of its centennial celebrations in 2026, the faith’s resilience continues to inspire conversations about religious pluralism, interfaith dialogue and the timeless quest for a common spiritual language.