Nghinh Ong Festival - Tet of the people of Can Gio coastal region

Although the Can Gio Whale Festival has been held for 112 seasons, it is always new and is awaited by the people of the coastal region every year.

Fishermen's boats follow the Nghinh boat to the ceremony area in the 2024 Can Gio Nghinh Ong Festival - Photo: TTD

Can Gio Whale Festival is held periodically on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of the 8th lunar month every year, starting in 1913 and has been held for 112 years.

This is considered one of the important folk rituals in the life of the coastal people, praying for peace and prosperity for the country and favorable weather. Since 2013, the Can Gio Whale Festival has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage.

"Sea Tet" of Can Gio fishermen

This year's festival has many new features, expressing spiritual beauty, serving the entertainment needs of coastal residents and tourists with more than 40 exciting activities, and is the "Sea Tet" of Can Gio people.

The solemn ceremony included rituals to visit the Rung Sac martyrs' cemetery, visit the Rung Sac - Can Gio heroic martyrs' temple, and traditional grand worship rituals...

Ms. Vo Thi Diem Phuong - Vice Chairman of Can Gio Commune People's Committee - Photo: TTD

The festival part is modern but still imbued with identity such as the exhibition space of photos of Can Gio past and present ; introducing the process of formation and development of the festival; images of craft villages, fishing tools, seafaring life; performing folk art forms such as Don Ca Tai Tu, Hat Boi, puppetry; folk games; sports tournaments...

Ms. Vo Thi Diem Phuong - Vice Chairman of Can Gio Commune People's Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of Can Gio Whale Festival 2025 - shared: "The ceremony to celebrate the achievements of Can Gio fishermen and the opening ceremony of Can Gio Whale Festival have created an impression, attracting tourists from near and far.

This year, there was the participation of the fishing troupe of Phuoc Hai Mieu Ba Hau Tho commune (HCMC). This combination created an interesting performance, adding a highlight to the program, and most of all, the spirit of solidarity of the fishermen.

The activities within the framework of the festival have promoted intangible cultural values, expressing gratitude to those who have contributed to protecting the sea, contributing to bumper crops. The Can Gio Whale Festival also contributes to educating the young generation about love for the sea and islands, and developing sea tourism."

Festival in the hearts of tourists and fishermen

Ms. Tran Thi Hue (60 years old, resident of Can Gio commune) said that every year she waits until the full moon of August to watch cải lương and free music, meet many famous artists, and she never misses a show.

Not only fishermen and tourists look forward to it, but artists also look forward to performing here. Quoc Dai is one of the singers who has performed at the Can Gio Whale Festival so many times that he can’t remember how many times.

He confided that every year, near the full moon of August, Quoc Dai contacted the program staff to ask if this year's song was suitable for him: "This year, I am still singing the opening song of the festival. Dai is very happy. I just need to perform for the people of Can Gio, even as a backup singer, as long as I can contribute."

Quoc Dai always prioritizes participating in performances in Can Gio - Photo: TTD

Singer Cao Cong Nghia said she was honored to perform here 7 times: "Nghia hopes that the younger generation will follow the spirit of loving the profession of our ancestors, sticking to the homeland's sea, showing responsibility to the Fatherland."

As someone who has been involved with the Can Gio Whale Festival for many years, director Ngoc Hien (Ho Chi Minh City Arts Center) is always concerned with renewing and vividly recreating the story of the life of coastal people and the protection of Whales for fishermen through music .

Cao Cong Nghia was happy to perform at the Can Gio Whale Festival - Photo: TTD

He shared with Tuoi Tre : "The festival repeats itself every year, so how to express the cultural beauty and spirit of the coastal people is not an easy problem. Every year I compose new songs, arrange music, and create new arrangements. This year we applied 3D Mapping technology combined with laser technology to make the audience more excited and interested."

With their love for Can Gio, the people and artists are showing their responsibility to preserve the Can Gio Whale Festival , so that this heritage will last forever.

The flag-raising ceremony opens the series of activities of the Can Gio Whale Festival 2025 - Photo: THANH TAM

" The Can Gio Whale Festival is not only a festival for fishermen, but also an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to introduce to friends a unique land: mangrove forests - the green lungs of Ho Chi Minh City.

Through the festival, we can join hands to preserve heritage, develop green tourism, create unique products and services, improve people's livelihoods, and contribute to building Can Gio into a safe, friendly, and unique destination," said Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, at the opening ceremony.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/le-hoi-nghinh-ong-tet-cua-nguoi-xu-bien-can-gio-20251007090740183.htm