HCM City (VNA) – The Nghinh
Ong (Whale Worship) festival is scheduled to take place in Can Thanh, Can Gio
district in Ho Chi Minh City on September 23 -25.
The opening ceremony will be hosted at Can
Thanh Town park, featuring musical performances, including hat boi (classical
drama).
The festival, an annual traditional festival
of local fishermen, was recognised as National Intangible Cultural Heritage in
2013 and consists of rituals and festive activities.
The ritual part will include a pilgrimage to
Sac Forest War Martyrs Cemetery to remember soldiers who died to protect the
country, a rite to pay tribute to founders of the land and a ceremony for local
fishermen to celebrate a bumper catch.
The festive part features a photo exhibition
on local revolutionary tradition and socio-economic development, a market and
food fair, a mid-autumn festival night and folk games.
Nghing Ong or Cau Ngu festival is a cultural
identity of south central coastal localities, which has been preserved and
passed down through generations. It aims to pray for bumper hauls of fish, safe
voyages and peace for the nation.
According to local lodging service
providers, most of their room have been booked for the festival.-VNA
