Nominate the Van Dam Fishing Festival in Xuong Ly as a national intangible cultural heritage

The Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival, held in Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon city, is a long-standing traditional festival closely associated with the lives of fishermen in the coastal region of Binh Dinh province. This festival is not only a place for sightseeing and research but also a typical intangible cultural heritage space with its rituals, traditional boat dances, and folk singing performances.

Binh Dinh province has nominated the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

According to cultural researcher Nguyen Van Ngoc, the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival has existed for over 200 years, closely linked to the village's founding and deeply rooted in Binh Dinh's unique characteristics. The festival reflects the fishing environment at sea and the beliefs of fishermen throughout various historical periods. Nurtured over generations, the festival provides an opportunity for the fishing community to interact, share experiences, and preserve cultural heritage.

The artisans and fishermen participating in the festival always cherish and protect the heritage values, considering it a source of pride and responsibility for the fishing community. The festival has educational significance in promoting traditional solidarity, love for the homeland, protection of the sea and islands, and sustainable economic development. It also awakens patriotism and motivates labor and production within the community.

Mr. Duong Van Thom, head of the Van Dam Xuong Ly fishing community, shared that the path leading to the Nam Hai Whale Mausoleum consists of stone steps, flanked by rows of natural green trees from the Don mountain forest. The mausoleum is a place for preserving and worshipping the Whale God, a religious symbol of the fishermen of the Van Dam fishing community.

Every year, at the Nam Hai Ancestral Temple - Van Dam Xuong Ly, fishing festivals are held with the participation of fishermen and tourists. Rituals such as rowing boats, pulling nets, catching fish, and boats swaying in the waves are unique features that are displayed and admired.

The incense offering ritual in the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival aims to pray for a prosperous new fishing season for the fishermen.

According to Mr. Lam Hai Giang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province, the province has directed the People's Committee of Quy Nhon city to coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant organizations and individuals to create a scientific dossier on the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival. This dossier meets the regulations and guidelines of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on inventory and documentation of intangible cultural heritage.

Mr. Lam Hai Giang emphasized the importance of upholding the historical and cultural value of the festival and providing direction for the protection and promotion of heritage values ​​in the process of integration and sustainable development. The People's Committee of Binh Dinh province requested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider and decide on the inclusion of the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Xuan Anh

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/de-cu-le-hoi-cau-ngu-van-dam-xuong-ly-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-post303843.html