'The Soul of the Sea' along the Ca Ty River

Located on the Ca Ty River, Duc Thang fishing village still preserves its pristine beauty and the unique belief in worshipping the Whale God among fishermen in the heart of Phan Thiet city (formerly part of Binh Thuan province).

A vibrant scene in the heart of the seaside city.

Nestled beside the Ca Ty River, Duc Thang fishing village in Phan Thiet ward, Lam Dong province (formerly Duc Thang ward, Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province) appears like a vibrant painting in the heart of the coastal city. From above, rows of boats anchored along the river's surface, hundreds of bright green fishing baskets floating gently, create artistic brushstrokes on the calm water.

The village's fishing harbor.

PHOTO: THANH NGUYEN

The wall of boats, a unique landscape on the Ca Ty River.

PHOTO: AN AH

Along the shoreline, rows of low-lying houses with old tiled roofs nestle beside the stone embankment, where the fishermen still make their living day after day with their traditional fishing occupation passed down through generations. Amidst rapid urbanization, Duc Thang still retains its pristine charm, becoming one of the most beautiful remaining fishing villages of the old Phan Thiet coastal region.

From a bird's-eye view, the Ca Ty River appears like a shimmering green silk ribbon, embracing the fishing village. Along both banks, rows of fishing boats are densely packed, forming long "walls of boats," a unique landscape that has long been an unmistakable symbol of Phan Thiet.

Every early morning, the atmosphere at Con Cha fishing port is bustling: the crisp sound of motorboats starting up echoes from afar, and the cheerful laughter of fish buyers and sellers fills the air. The scene unfolds like a film, both vibrant and distinctly coastal.

In the area where the river meets the sea, small, traditional fishing boats weave their way out to sea, leaving behind trails of white waves on the turquoise water. The sight of fishermen drying their nets and catching fish right by the riverbank creates a scene that is both intimate and poetic.

In the heart of the village, the shrine of General Nam Hai is the center of the spiritual life of the fishermen of Duc Thang. Here, the people worship the skeleton of the whale – a guardian deity of the sea, who for generations has protected boats from storms, bringing fishermen safely back to shore with holds full of shrimp and fish.

Duc Thang fishing village is nestled at the mouth of the Ca Ty sea.

PHOTO: AN AH

The Ca Ty River, like a ribbon of emerald green silk, embraces the fishing village.

PHOTO: AN AH

It will attract customers with its unique identity.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tu, a fisherman from the former Duc Thang ward, the worship of the Whale God is not just a belief, but deeply ingrained in community life. Every year in the sixth lunar month, the Nghinh Ong Phan Thiet festival is held solemnly, with boats sailing from the Whale God's shrine to the Ca Ty estuary to perform the ritual of carrying the Whale God's sacred tablet amidst drums, gongs, flags, flowers, and performances of traditional folk songs, lion dances, and performances characteristic of the coastal region.

Today, despite Phan Thiet's significant transformation, Duc Thang fishing village has retained its unique character. More than just a place of residence and fishing, it is also a vibrant cultural space, embodying the soul of a coastal village.

[Basket boats nestled beside fishing boats on the Ca Ty River]_[PHOTO_ AN AH].jpg

PHOTO: AN AH

Tourists visit Van Thuy Tu, a shrine dedicated to many whale skeletons in Duc Thang fishing village.

PHOTO: QUE HA

The 22-meter-long whale skeleton is preserved in Van Thuy Tu.

PHOTO BY QUE HA

This place has become an attractive cultural and experiential tourism destination, especially for young people. Visitors can immerse themselves in the life of a fishing village, go fishing for fish and squid at night; enjoy fresh seafood at the dock, or simply sit by the Ca Ty River embankment, watching the boats anchored in the sunset, feeling the peaceful rhythm of life amidst the changing city.

Speaking with us, Mr. Tran Nguyen Loc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phan Thiet Ward, said: "Phan Thiet is a ward with many unique characteristics of a coastal village. It not only has Van Thuy Tu, a place of worship for the Whale God, but also the Nghinh Ong Festival, the Quan Thanh De Quan Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival... all bearing the hallmarks of a long-standing cultural region. We will propose many solutions to preserve, conserve, and promote the cultural values ​​of this place, to create more unique tourism products, and to attract tourists to visit." (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hon-bien-ben-song-ca-ty-185250812223303933.htm