To the Sea: Immerse Yourself in the Fishing Festival of Vietnamese Fishermen

Every spring, the sea murmurs songs of life, signaling the imminent start of the fishermen's Fishing Festival. In the coastal fishing villages, the atmosphere becomes lively and exciting. People eagerly prepare for a solemn festival, where prayers for a peaceful, lucky, and bountiful new year are offered through sacred rituals.

"The waves murmur and sing a song."

Fishermen celebrate, offering prayers for their boats at sea.

May the sea be calm and the sky peaceful.

"The four seasons bring abundance and prosperity, with plenty of fish and shrimp."

The Cau Ngu Festival is one of the distinctive cultural features of Vietnamese fishermen, held annually in coastal areas from North to South. Aimed at honoring the sea god and praying for a bountiful fishing season, the Cau Ngu Festival not only expresses the deep gratitude of the fishermen but also serves as an opportunity for the community to connect, share, and preserve long-standing cultural values. Each time the festival season arrives, coastal fishing villages are filled with a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. From the elaborately decorated wooden boats to the sacred rituals, everything vividly reflects the spiritual life and close connection of the fishermen with the sea. The boats, symbols of survival and development, are considered the embodiment of the Great General of the South Sea, the deity protecting their perilous voyages. The festival begins with a boat procession, where people gather, offer gifts, and pray together for a year of peace and good fortune.

Fishing Festival in Binh Dinh. Photo: Binh Dinh Newspaper

Following the solemn ceremony, the festival transitions to a vibrant phase with cultural and sporting activities on the river. The traditional boat race is one of the highlights, attracting enthusiastic participation and cheering from the entire community. Racing boats speed across the deep blue water amidst the cheers of people on both banks. More than just a competition of speed, these boat races symbolize unity, community strength, and the pride of the fishermen. The festive atmosphere is further enlivened by a series of folk cultural activities such as lion dances, dragon dances, and traditional games. Children and adults alike participate in folk games like tug-of-war and sack races, creating a joyful and colorful atmosphere. Performances of folk music and dance by local artists enrich the festival atmosphere and help visitors learn more about the customs, traditions, and culture of the coastal fishermen.

The fishing festival in Nhon Hai attracts the attention of many tourists from afar thanks to its unique characteristics. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Cuisine is also an indispensable part of the Cau Ngu Festival. Specialty seafood dishes such as grilled fish, steamed squid, and seafood pancakes are prepared with exquisite skill, reflecting the rich flavors of the sea. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy not only delicious food but also appreciate the skill and artistry of the fishermen. Through its cuisine , the Cau Ngu Festival also serves as an opportunity to promote local culinary culture and showcase the unique values ​​of maritime culture.

The festival concludes with the ritual of releasing floating lanterns on the sea, one of the most spiritually significant parts of the ceremony. The shimmering lanterns on the water at night symbolize the fishermen's prayers for peace and good fortune sent to the sea. The image of the lanterns gently drifting along the water, carrying the wishes of the people, creates a deeply moving scene, bringing to a close a festival rich in national identity.

The Vietnamese fishermen's Fishing Festival is not only a religious activity but also an opportunity for the community to bond, preserve, and promote traditional cultural values. Through its rituals, cultural activities, and unique cuisine, the Fishing Festival has become an indispensable part of the fishermen's spiritual life, bringing pride and love for their homeland.

Hoang Anh