The bustling fishing festival in Nhon Chau commune.

(GLO) - On the morning of May 2nd, at the Nam Hai Ancestral Temple, the People's Committee of Nhon Chau commune (Gia Lai province) inaugurated the 2026 Fishing Festival in a solemn and lively atmosphere, attracting many local people and tourists.

The Nhon Chau fishing festival is an occasion for the local fishing community to express their gratitude to the God of the South Sea – a deity revered by fishermen as a spiritual anchor on every fishing trip.

The procession to worship the God of the South Sea takes place at sea. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan .

From early morning, the area around the Nam Hai Ancestral Temple was bustling with people dressed in formal attire, altars solemnly arranged, and colorful flags fluttering in the sea breeze, creating a festive atmosphere that was both sacred and rich in maritime culture, as they performed the ritual of welcoming the Nam Hai deity into the temple (also known as the land and sea welcoming ceremony).

The ceremony to welcome the God of the South Sea was solemn and colorful. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Along with the opening ceremony, many traditional rituals were solemnly held, such as: the ceremony of welcoming the local tutelary deity, the ceremony of offering sacrifices, the ceremony of worshipping the god of the South Sea, etc.

Each ritual carries the meaning of praying for favorable weather, national peace and prosperity, safe voyages for ships at sea, and successful fishing.

The ceremony of welcoming the God of the South Sea is held at sea with a procession of boats, praying for a safe and bountiful fishing season. Photo: Dung Nhan

A large number of locals and tourists attended the opening ceremony of the Nhon Chau Commune Fishing Festival in 2026. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Inviting the God of the South Sea to enter the temple at the Nam Hai Mausoleum. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan.

Besides the solemn ceremonial part, the festival also features vibrant cultural and sporting activities such as traditional opera, folk card games, and dragon boat racing. The sounds of drums and gongs, along with traditional music, resonate across the island landscape, creating a lively and distinctive scene.

Visitors to Nhon Chau during this time not only get to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere but also have the opportunity to learn about the maritime cultural values ​​that have been preserved through many generations.

The ceremony to welcome the local tutelary deity took place on the afternoon of May 1st. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

This year's festival, held from May 1st to 5th (corresponding to the 15th to 19th of the third lunar month), coincided with the April 30th - May 1st holiday, attracting a large number of tourists to Nhon Chau Island to visit , explore, and experience its vibrant culture.

The traditional Bài Chòi card game attracts a large number of locals and tourists, adding to the lively festive atmosphere. Photo: Ngọc Nhuận

The Nhon Chau fishing festival is one of the typical cultural and religious activities of local fishermen, contributing to strengthening community solidarity and promoting the image of the Nhon Chau island region as a place rich in identity, friendliness, and tourism potential.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/ron-rang-le-hoi-cau-ngu-xa-nhon-chau-post586208.html