Van Tan Long whale worship festival 2026 held in La Gi Ward

This is a traditional cultural and spiritual activity associated with the provincial historical and cultural site of Van Tan Long and holds great significance for coastal communities.

The Whale Worship Festival is a long-standing cultural tradition of coastal fishermen, closely linked to the belief in Cá Ông (Whale Deity), also known as Đức Ngư Ông (Nam Hai God), who is believed to protect and rescue fishermen at sea.

Through the festival, people express gratitude to the sea and pray for favourable weather, safe voyages, abundant catches and increasingly prosperous and happy lives.

In her opening remarks, Chairwoman of the La Gi Ward People’s Committee Dang Thi Hong Lam emphasised that the festival was held amid celebrations of major national and local anniversaries. The event not only reflects gratitude to the sea and the Nam Hai Deity—the spiritual pillar of fishermen—but also serves as an occasion to honour, preserve and promote the distinctive cultural values of coastal communities.

The Whale Worship Festival is a typical cultural activity that strengthens community solidarity, nurtures patriotism and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous life, while promoting Van Tan Long relic site, Hon Ba scenic area and the image of La Gi as a friendly and welcoming destination.

The year 2026 also marks a new stage, with the festival organised on a larger scale and featuring more diverse content, harmoniously combining solemn rituals with vibrant cultural and artistic activities, with the aim of developing it into a signature local tourism product.

Accordingly, local authorities underscored the need to continue preserving, promoting, and enhancing the festival’s value as part of sustainable socio-economic development.

At the ceremony, Secretary of the Party Committee of La Gi Ward Nguyen Quoc Nam performed the traditional drum-beating ritual to officially open the festival in a solemn and lively atmosphere.

The 2026 Van Tan Long Whale Worship Festival was held over two days (May 1–2), featuring a range of traditional rituals and cultural activities. On the first day, key rituals included altar preparation, the Whale Procession, prayers for peace and remembrance, along with the opening ceremony on the evening of May 1.

On the second day, important rituals continued, including offerings to ancestors, rites for wandering souls, ceremonial offerings and the main worship ceremony—reflecting deep spiritual values and the fishermen’s respect for their ancestors and the Nam Hai Deity, while praying for national peace, favourable weather and calm seas.

The festival also featured vibrant cultural activities such as human chess performances, traditional net-weaving competitions, folk games like blindfold duck catching at Doi Duong Beach, and Hat Boi (classical opera) performances from May 2 to 4 at Van Tan Long grounds.

These activities not only meet the entertainment and cultural needs of residents and visitors but also contribute to preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage associated with the lives of La Gi’s coastal communities.

Thu Ha