Discover the maritime culture of Thanh Hoa province.

Thanh Hoa is not only known as a land of "spiritual and talented people" with a long and rich history, but also as a unique maritime cultural space, enriched over time. Each coastal region of Thanh Hoa possesses its own distinct cultural characteristics, both rustic and sacred, profound and deeply moving. These cultural aspects have been and are being awakened and transformed into resources for tourism development.

The Fishing Festival in Van Loc commune.

For generations, the coastal residents of Thanh Hoa province have not only earned their living from the sea but have also formed a unique cultural value system, crystallized in festivals, beliefs, customs, cuisine , and lifestyle. Today, as coastal tourism is no longer limited to swimming and relaxation, the coastal culture of Thanh Hoa is gradually being recognized as an important resource for developing sustainable tourism with a rich identity.

In coastal fishing villages, life begins very early. Before the sun even rises above the horizon, boats line up to return from their fishing trips. On the beach, the buying and selling of seafood takes place quickly and bustlingly, clearly reflecting the characteristic working life of the coastal inhabitants. This space is not only a place for earning a living but also a place that preserves customs and traditions passed down from generation to generation.

One of the highlights of Thanh Hoa's coastal culture is its system of festivals associated with folk beliefs. Visiting the Van Loc coastal area in late February of the lunar calendar, you'll find crowds enthusiastically immersing themselves in the cultural atmosphere of the Cau Ngu Festival – a characteristic festival of coastal culture held annually from the 22nd to the 24th of February of the lunar calendar. The festival attracts a large number of locals and tourists from all over to participate and explore. The festival consists of both ceremonial and celebratory parts, both held outdoors, performed by the coastal people with the wish for a year of calm seas, abundant catches of shrimp and fish, and safe voyages for fishermen. Besides the rituals and customs reflecting the characteristics of the fishermen, the celebratory part also features many lively cultural and sporting activities, deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the coastal region, such as squid fishing competitions, net weaving, tug-of-war, and folk singing.

A unique feature of the festival is the procession of the Dragon Boat and the palanquin. According to the elders in the area, the Dragon Boat is considered the most important sacred object used to worship the deities throughout the festival. The Dragon Boat is meticulously crafted from materials such as bamboo, wood, styrofoam, and paint, using the skill, care, and dedication of the local people. On the main day of the festival, the Dragon Boat is paraded along the coast to the ceremonial area with the participation of a large number of people, creating a joyful and united cultural atmosphere.

Mr. Le Van Minh from Van Loc commune said: “Every year, I join the villagers in preparing for and participating in the festival. This is a very important ritual for my family and the fishermen in the area, expressing our faith and gratitude to the sea and its gods, praying for a year of favorable weather and abundant catches of shrimp and fish.”

The Cau Ngu Festival is considered a major and distinctive festival of the people in coastal areas. Not only in Van Loc, but also in coastal areas like Sam Son, Hoang Tien, Tien Trang, Nghi Son, etc., people organize the Cau Ngu Festival annually. In each coastal region, the Cau Ngu Festival has its own unique characteristics reflecting local customs and traditions, but it always takes place at the beginning of the year, attracting a large number of people to give thanks to the gods and pray for favorable weather and abundant catches of shrimp and fish.

The maritime culture of Thanh Hoa province is also clearly reflected in its system of historical and cultural relics and famous scenic spots such as the Truong Le mountain range, Doc Cuoc Temple, Co Tien Temple, Ca Ong Temple, and To Hien Thanh Temple... These spiritual spaces are not only places where fishermen entrust their faith and beliefs, but are also becoming ideal stops in coastal tourism tours. Visitors come here not only to admire the scenery and offer incense, but also to hear stories about the spiritual life of the coastal inhabitants – where religious beliefs are inseparable from their working lives.

Exploring Thanh Hoa's maritime culture would be incomplete without its cuisine. From shrimp paste, crab paste, and traditional fish sauce to fresh seafood dishes like shrimp, crab, and jellyfish, each dish is linked to the fishing and processing experience of the local people. In particular, many traditional seafood processing villages have developed, not only contributing to preserving folk knowledge but also transforming seafood products into distinctive products and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, such as Quang Nham fish sauce and Le Gia shrimp paste.

In the development of tourism, Thanh Hoa's maritime culture is being recognized as a crucial resource. Experiential tourism products such as fishing village tourism, spiritual tourism by the sea, and culinary tourism are gradually being developed, bringing tourists closer to the local cultural life. However, along with opportunities come significant challenges. The impact of urbanization, mass tourism, and changes in the marine environment are creating an urgent need for the sustainable preservation and promotion of maritime cultural values.

Text and photos: Quynh Chi

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/kham-pha-van-hoa-bien-xu-thanh-274786.htm