A stroll into a Caodaist temple reveals walls brimming with mosaic saints—from the Jade Emperor and Quan Âm to Shakespeare, Victor Hugo and Joan of Arc—each one waiting for petitions at dawn and dusk. Rituals start before sunrise, when worshippers light incense sticks, bow three times toward the West (the direction of Tây Ninh Holy See) and recite “Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển,” a compilation of divine messages delivered through spirit mediums.

Every evening at six, the same ceremony is replayed: the rhythmic beat of drums and chimes calls the faithful back to the altar. Hymns borrowed from Christian liturgy mingle with Buddhist chants and Confucian proverbs. In recent years, livestreaming has let Caodaists in Saigon and even overseas communities join in real time—a modern twist born during the pandemic and still going strong in 2025.

Weekly gatherings fall on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. These smaller ceremonies focus on communal prayer, moral teachings and a simple vegetarian meal. Temple kitchens hustle to prepare tofu dishes, stir-fried greens and sweet rice balls, keeping alive the belief in “thức ăn tinh thần” (spiritual food) on sacred days of the lunar month.

Major festivals punctuate the year. The 1st and 15th lunar days bring the Great Divine Ceremony, where elaborate robes, dragon dances and multi-layered vegetarian feasts transform courtyards into pages of a living storybook. As the centenary of Caodaism approaches in 2026, temples across Vietnam are polishing their altarpieces and rehearsing theatrical reenactments of the religion’s founding—reminding everyone that faith can be both timeless and ever-evolving.

Initiation rites for new clergy, known as Đại Tường, happen twice a year under full moon skies. Aspirants fast for three days, learn ritual music on traditional song lan gongs, and master the elaborate hand gestures that guide divine energy. After ordination, a fresh collar and royal-yellow robes mark their passage into the hierarchical structure that blends Eastern court ceremonial with Western ecclesiastical order.

Everywhere, incense smoke curls like a whispered promise: in daily bows, weekly hymns and grand festivals, Caodaism weaves East and West into a single tapestry, proving that spirituality can dance to many drums at once.