Continuing the flow of maritime culture.

Mr. Cao Van Nhut (wearing blue attire) holds the position of Chief Conductor of the Ba Trao folk singing troupe at the Hoi An Dong Fishing Festival 2026. Photo: MY LE.

Mr. Le Muoi, an elderly man over 80 years old (Phuoc Trach residential area, Hoi An Dong), has been involved in the organizing committee of the fishing festival since 2009. Mr. Muoi said that the festival is where fishermen express their hopes for favorable weather and pray for safe journeys for their boats entering and leaving the Cua Dai estuary.

“As the fishing industry develops and achieves many successes, the economic lives of business households and surrounding communities also become more prosperous. Although its origins are in the fishing prayer ceremony, in reality, this is a major festival that attracts the participation of all social classes, from scholars, farmers, workers to merchants, contributing to preserving and promoting the beautiful cultural values that our ancestors have left behind,” Mr. Mười said.

Having been involved with the fishing festival since his twenties, fisherman Le Muoi has dedicated his entire life to preserving the spiritual lifeline of the fishing village. This year, the Hoi An Dong fishing festival still ensures the traditional rituals, including the ceremony of welcoming the gods, offering sacrifices to the spirits, and performing the traditional boat dance at the Tu Chanh Van mausoleum (Tieu Dien mausoleum).

Unlike typical festivals, the Hoi An Dong fishing festival creates a unique impression with its "ba trao" performance – a distinctive spiritual "specialty" of the coastal people of Central Vietnam. Reviving and spreading the value of this traditional art form not only helps preserve the local identity but also creates an attractive cultural space, connecting heritage with modern tourism development.

Locals and tourists enjoy watching the fishing net casting competition on the sand at Cua Dai beach. Photo: MY LE.

Closely associated with the fishing festival of Cua Dai fishing village (formerly) is the traditional folk singing troupe of Mr. Sac (artist Cao Van Nhut) - a special group, comprising both local men and women. Mr. Nhut shared that the troupe was initiated and formed in 1997 by the Hoi An Town Cultural and Information Center, with members being children of the sea. For nearly three decades, Mr. Nhut has persistently kept the tradition alive, serving as both the head of the troupe and its leader, contributing to the preservation of this beautiful folk culture for his homeland.

As part of this year's Fishing Festival, the People's Committee of Hoi An Dong ward also organized various cultural and sports activities related to coastal life at Cua Dai beach.

According to Nguyen Minh Ly, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An Dong ward, these activities reflect the vibrant working life of fishermen, contributing to the lively recreation of traditional maritime culture; and at the same time, introducing and promoting the unique characteristics of Hoi An Dong culture to friends and tourists.

"Through these activities, the locality continues to foster pride in the homeland, strengthen community cohesion, and encourage fishermen to venture out to sea and contribute to firmly protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's maritime territories," Mr. Ly said.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/viet-tiep-dong-chay-van-hoa-bien-3331659.html