HONORING WHALES: The Nghinh Ông Festival in Cần Giờ District will be held from September 9-11 to show fishermen’s respect to whales that help them at sea, as well as worship of whales for a bumper fish catch. –(Photo: VNA/VNS)

The festival’s highlight will be a procession on land and at sea which will be held on September 11 (or the 16th day of the eighth lunar month.)

The procession will start from the Temple Worshiping the Whale and then move to the sea. It will be followed by local residents and fishermen in traditional costumes and dozens of fishing vessels.

The ritual aims to show fishermen’s respect to whales that help them at sea, as well as worship of whales for a bumper fish catch.

The shows will include performances from the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong (reformed opera) Theatre and the HCM City Hat Boi (classical drama) Theatre, whose performers will offer several extracts from famous plays.

The festival will include a release of lanterns to the sea organised by young people who will pray for a good fishing season, and a visit to Rung Sac War Martyrs Cemetery to remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

The organisers will host exhibitions showcasing photos and objects which feature fishing activities, and the Can Gio mangrove forest, a world biosphere reserve recognised by UNESCO in 2000. 

The Nghinh Ong Festival in Can Gio was recognised as a national Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. It is the only traditional festival for fishermen held to celebrate their fishing vocation and lifestyle.