A fleet of boats celebrating at last year’s Nghinh Ong Festival in southern Ca Mau Province

Along Vietnam’s coasts, fisher folks in areas from northern Thanh Hoa Province to southernmost Ca Mau Province maintain a tradition of worshiping whales.

The festival usually lasts three days. Before it begins, fishing boats in the region and from other localities gather at the central dock. All the vessels are decorated with flowers or lights. A tray of offerings is laid out on the ships’ bows, filled with delectable dishes such as steamed glutinous rice, boiled duck, a pig’s head, and various fruits and flowers.

The festival then commences with a whale worshiping ritual carried out at the local temple. Village elders greet a representation of the Lord Whale and ask for permission to hold ceremonies. The first night features a ceremony to pray for peace. Over the next two days, fisher folks steer a large boat carrying flags, flowers, a musical band, and other ornaments to selected venues to offer wine to the Lord Whale. The lead vessel is accompanied by a host of smaller boats, making up a splendid fleet. The fleet carries Lord Whale to the temple where official ceremonies are organized to honor his presence. The festival closes with a variety of folk games and musical performances.

The celebration time for the festival varies depending on the localities. For instance, festival time in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province happens on the 16th-18th days of the eighth lunar month (around August-September), while southern Ca Mau Province celebrates the event on the 13th-15th days of the lunar calendar’s second month (around February-March).

Reported by Diem Thu