Whale procession over 100 years on Can Gio sea

The Whale Festival is the most sacred ritual of the Whale Festival Can Gio 2025, which took place in Can Thanh sea area. This is an activity associated with the whale worshiping belief to pray for peace when going to sea and wish for a prosperous and happy life.

This year's festival takes place from October 5 to 7, including rituals such as inviting the divine decree, worshiping ancestors and descendants, worshiping the god of the South Sea, and carrying the Ong Nghinh palanquin on the sea.

Many festival activities such as lion and dragon dances, folk games, and opera performances were held along Can Thanh town park, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the past three days.

Ms. Vo Thi Diem Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of Can Gio Commune People's Committee, said that this year's festival has many new features, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity among fishermen. The festival contributes to preserving intangible culture, honoring those who protect the sea and islands, educating the younger generation about the love of the sea and islands, and developing Can Gio tourism.

At 9:30 a.m., the procession departs from the Ong Thuy Tuong Mausoleum to the Mechanical Wharf to begin the Whale Welcome journey at sea.

Due to the impact of infrastructure projects and sea encroachment, this year some activities such as dragon boat racing, flower lantern boat racing, and stilt racing will not be held. However, the main ceremony and rituals remain the same, attracting a large number of people and tourists from all over the world.

The palanquin was transferred to the main boat, waiting for the tide to rise before going out to sea.

The Whale Festival is an occasion for fishermen to remember the whale's merits, to show gratitude to their ancestors, and to pray for favorable weather and a full hold of fish and shrimp. Local people call this festival "The New Year of the Sea People". The Whale Festival in Can Gio has been around since the year of Quy Suu 1913, which is now 112 years old.

Dozens of boats decorated with colorful flags and flowers joined the procession.

Many people excitedly boarded boats to "go out to sea" together.

When they reach the sea, the boat owners perform the whale worshiping ritual. They prepare offerings including fresh flowers, incense, betel and areca nuts, fruits and seafood to offer to the sea god – the whale – according to folk beliefs, with the belief that they will be blessed with peace, calm waves and calm seas.

After about 3 hours, the procession returned. Hundreds of people stood on the shore waiting. The procession returned to Lang Ong Thuy Tuong to continue the rituals.

The Whale Festival is one of the important activities in the series of events of the Whale Festival in Can Gio 2025. The Whale Festival in Can Gio was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. This is one of the typical sea festivals in the South, which has been passed down for over 100 years.