Ba Ria - Vung Tau stops the Thang Tam Whale Festival

On September 12, the People's Committee of Vung Tau City ( Ba Ria - Vung Tau province) announced the suspension of all activities of the Nghinh Ong Thang Tam Festival in 2024.

According to the People's Committee of Vung Tau City, in recent days, storm No. 3 (storm Yagi ) with very strong intensity has flooded the northern provinces, along with the post-storm circulation causing devastation, leaving extremely serious consequences on people's lives.

Whale model procession in the Nghinh Ong Thang Tam festival in 2023. Photo: BRVT Newspaper

In the spirit of the beloved Northern provinces and cities, the People's Committee of Vung Tau City has directed to stop the festival activities as previously planned.

The Management Board of Thang Tam Temple is only allowed to organize incense offering and ceremonies to invite the God's Royal Decree from the Tien Hien Temple to the Ong Temple; ceremonies to worship the Nam Hai Cu Toc Ngoc Lan Chi Than; to invite the God's Royal Decree and Long vi from the Ong Temple to the Temple... but cannot organize artistic activities, singing, and dancing during this time.

Previously, the Nghinh Ong Thang Tam Festival in 2024 was scheduled to take place from September 14 to 20. Of which, there are 3 official days from September 18 to 20 (August 16 to 18 of the lunar calendar).

According to the plan, the Festival includes a ceremonial part and a festival part. The ceremonial part includes activities: the Whale Welcome Ceremony on the sea on the main holiday day (16th of the 8th lunar month), the Whale Welcome palanquin procession and street parade, the ceremony to invite the divine decree...

The festival organizes folk games related to fishermen and a series of events to create a festive atmosphere: Traditional plays performed throughout the main holidays; the 2024 Vung Tau City Open Petanque Tournament, the VRC remote-controlled model car racing competition for the "Vung Tau Challenge" cup, held on September 14 and 15...

T.Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ba-ria--vung-tau-dung-le-hoi-nghinh-ong-thang-tam-post312048.html