[Photo] Impressions of the Can Gio Whale Festival

The 2025 Can Gio Whale Festival continues to be solemnly held with many traditional rituals imbued with the cultural identity of the coastal region. This is an opportunity for the fishing community to honor the God of the South Sea - the god who protects and blesses safe sea voyages.

Taking place over 3 days, the Can Gio Whale Festival 2025 is a unique folk cultural event, attracting a large number of local people and tourists to attend.

The festival consists of two parts: the ceremony and the festival, in which the ceremony has a strong spiritual element, expressing respect for the God of the South Sea - the god revered by fishermen as the whale, while the festival is vibrant with many traditional cultural and artistic activities.

This is not only an occasion to remember the deceased and summarize the old fishing season, but also a prayer for a new, favorable and bountiful fishing season.

The festival represents the spiritual life of coastal residents, affirming the historical and cultural values ​​and strategic role of Can Gio in the cause of protecting and developing the country. In the festival space, propaganda contents on sea and island sovereignty , marine economic development, mangrove forest conservation, world biosphere reserves... are organized vividly and visually.

In the bustling atmosphere of the festival, the lion dance troupe appeared, stirring up the atmosphere of the great festival of Can Gio fishermen. The sound of drums and gongs resounded loudly, the pair of dragons gracefully undulated in the middle of the Can Gio commune road amid the cheers of the locals and tourists.

The Nghinh Ong Can Gio Festival originated around the year of Quy Suu 1913 and has become a spiritual and cultural activity closely associated with the lives of fishermen in coastal areas. In 2013, the festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The procession departs from Lang Ong Thuy Tuong, Can Gio commune, Ho Chi Minh City, and moves to Co Khi wharf to begin the journey of welcoming the Whale on the sea - the most sacred ritual of the festival.

The event attracted a large number of people and tourists from all over the world to take to the streets to join in the festive atmosphere.

On each boat, fishermen respectfully display offerings with a pair of boiled ducks, sticky rice, votive paper money, etc. to thank the ocean and pray for peace on their voyages.

The boats are brightly decorated with colorful flags and banners, fluttering in the sea breeze, creating a bustling and vibrant scene.

This is considered the "Tet of coastal people" the day when fishermen get on their boats together to go out to sea, participate in rituals, gather to eat and drink, and pray for a new peaceful and prosperous sea season.

In the festival atmosphere, people also have cultural, sports and artistic activities that attract a large number of people and tourists.

This year's ceremony still maintained its traditional solemnity with rituals such as visiting the Rung Sac Martyrs Cemetery, offering incense at the Rung Sac-Can Gio Martyrs' Temple and the Whale Worship Ceremony. The festival was held enthusiastically with more than 40 diverse activities, including photo exhibitions, fishing gear displays, performances of traditional music, folk games, and many sports tournaments and music programs to serve the people and tourists.

And folk game activities.

The Can Gio Whale Festival 2025, taking place from October 5 to 8, is the most unique cultural event of Ho Chi Minh City fishermen, bearing the imprint of traditional maritime beliefs.

VU BAO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-an-tuong-le-hoi-nghinh-ong-can-gio-post914001.html