The Van Dam Xuong Ly fishing festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

(CLO) The Van Dam Xuong Ly fishing festival - a long-standing traditional festival closely associated with the lives of fishermen in the coastal areas of Binh Dinh province - has just been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

On December 10th, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung signed Decision No. 3944/QD-BVHTTDL, adding the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival (Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province) to the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

The Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival is a traditional festival organized annually by local fishermen, starting on the 10th day of the first lunar month.

The Van Dam Xuong Ly fishing festival is organized annually by fishermen as a tradition.

Similar to fishing festivals in other coastal areas of Binh Dinh province, the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival is held according to traditional rituals, including: the ceremony of welcoming the God of the South Sea, the ceremony of awakening life, prayers for national peace and prosperity, safe voyages for fishermen, and bountiful catches of seafood...

Besides the ceremonial part, the festival includes many activities such as performances of traditional folk songs, opera, boat rowing, coracle rowing, card games, and other folk games. The fishing festival is not only an activity for the people of the coastal village but also attracts a large number of tourists, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the unique cultural values ​​of the locality.

The Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival is one of the oldest traditional festivals, closely associated with the lives of fishermen in the coastal areas of Binh Dinh province.

According to the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province, the Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival is one of the oldest traditional festivals, closely associated with the lives of fishermen in the coastal areas of Binh Dinh. It has become a destination for sightseeing, research, and experiencing the formation and development of the fishing village model, linked to fishing and seafood processing activities, with traditional ceremonies taking place annually. This is a characteristic intangible cultural heritage space, typical of traditional festivals, with distinctive features including ritual ceremonies, Ba Trao singing and dancing, and Bai Choi folk singing.

The Van Dam Xuong Ly Fishing Festival, established over 200 years ago, is closely linked to the village's founding and has become a unique characteristic of Binh Dinh province. The festival is a remembrance of the fishing grounds at sea, embodying the cultural and religious beliefs of coastal fishermen throughout various stages of history.

A corner of Nhon Ly fishing village.

The festival has been nurtured and developed over many generations, creating folk activities for the fishing community during the fishing season, fostering interaction and sharing of experiences among artisans who have been involved with the fishing village since a young age. The artisans and fishermen of Xuong Ly fishing village in particular, and fishermen from all regions involved in this traditional festival, always cherish and value this heritage; protect and promote its value; respect the land that holds and preserves this heritage, and appreciate the role of the heritage's custodians in the economic and cultural life of the area for centuries.

The festival activities carry profound humanistic significance, educating about the tradition of solidarity, love for the homeland, and specific responsibilities towards the fishing community; they are a source of pride because they are linked to the spirit of protecting the sea and islands, developing a sustainable economy in the face of challenges from climate change, as well as the ups and downs of history. From there, they inspire the people to continue the tradition of patriotism; to strive in labor and production to build the fishing community into an intangible cultural heritage museum about the sea and islands, a community tourism destination in the process of building Quy Nhon into a cultural center of the South of the North Central and Central Coastal regions.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/binh-dinh-le-hoi-cau-ngu-van-dam-xuong-ly-duoc-ghi-danh-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-post325169.html