The opening ceremony of the ‘Cau Ngu’ (Fish Worshipping) Festival for fishermen in Thanh Khe District took place at the Ha Khe sea park on Monday.

A incense offering ceremony before welcoming the Nam Hai Thuong God at Ha Khe Beach.

The ‘Cau Ngu’ Festival is linked to the worship of whales, a belief that has developed in the Thanh Khe fishing village. It has evolved in response to the area's natural conditions, socio-economic factors, and cultural history, vividly reflecting the religious traditions of the fishermen in the village.

Vice Chairman of Thanh Khe District People's Committee Do Nguyen Ngoc stated that the seafood exploitation profession in Thanh Khe fishing village is still maintained and developed, whilst the spiritual life of fishermen is still preserved. This is the main foundation for organising and maintaining the festival annually.

The ceremony to process the Nam Hai Thuong God to the main stage

This year's festival took place from February 14 - 17 (17^th to 20^th days of the first lunar month). During the festival, various ceremonies were held, including the welcoming ceremony and the worshiping ceremony to honor Nam Hai Thuong Dang God at the beach. Additionally, there were a drum beating ceremony to open the festival, a flag dancing performance, and an incense offering ceremony. 

The festive part featured a variety of cultural and sports activities, such as Ba Trao singing performances, boat sailing and paddleboard demonstrations, net weaving, a coracle race, a fish-carrying contest, tug of war, stick-pushing game, and arm wrestling.

Representatives of the village elders participated in the procession of the Nam Hai Thuong God.

Within the framework of the festival, there were an exhibition themed "Protecting sovereignty of sea and islands", and a space for displaying OCOP products of 6 wards in Thanh Khe District.

A ceremony to pray for peace and prosperity for the nation and people.

According to the organisation board of the festival, the ‘Cau Ngu’ Festival in Thanh Khe District is associated with the worship of the Nam Hai God in the image of Whale - the guardian god of the sea of ​​fishermen. For the life of the coastal community, the festival is the most important ceremony of the year to both pray for peace and prosperity throughout the year, and express the desire for a year of calm seas, favourable weather, and bumper hauls of fish and shrimp.

The annual festival becomes an indispensable cultural and spiritual activity of the locality and local fishermen.

Da Nang fishermen compete in net weaving and ...

... coracle race.

Reporting by DOAN LUONG, QUOC CUONG - Translating by M.DUNG