VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of people gathered at Ghanh Hao beach in the southern province of Bac Lieu on May 19 to see ten boats pulling a 10-tonne-whale to the shore.

Building open-cast tomb for giant whale

According to fisherman Nguyen Tri Hai, on the afternoon of May 18 a huge fish was caught in his net around 40 miles ashore of Ganh Ha. The fish struggled violently but by the time the fishermen pulled the fish out of water, and discovered that it was a whale, it was close to death. The whale died shortly after that. Hai called over ten fishing boats to help pull the giant fish to the shore.

The whale was 10m long, with stomach size of 6m. Fishermen said that it was a grey whale, which is very gentle and only eats crustaceans and ephemera.

Hundreds of people joined hands to pull the dead whale to the shore while thousands of locals came to admire.

Local people believe that it is lucky to see a whale because whale is a holy creature which brings luck to fishermen. It is a custom to bury the dead whale and mourn for it.

Local people and local authorities have decided to bury the whale near the coast. Three years later, the bones will be recollected to be worshipped.

Early this year Bac Lieu fishermen built an outcast tomb for a 16-tonnes whale, which drifted to the local coast on February 21.

PV