The Can Gio Whale Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, will take place from August 5-7 (August 14, 15, 16, At Ty year) in Can Gio commune, Ho Chi Minh City.
This is the only traditional festival of Can Gio fishermen, maintained for more than 112 years, both an occasion to pay tribute to ancestors, pray for favorable weather, national peace and prosperity, and a "sea festival" to conclude a fishing season and prepare for the new season.
Boats and sampans join the procession of Whale Festival on Can Gio sea
PHOTO: THANH TAM
Important rituals are still maintained, including: the ceremony to visit the Rung Sac Martyrs Cemetery ; the ceremony to visit the Rung Sac Heroes and Martyrs Temple ; the flag-raising ceremony at Can Thanh Park; the opening program and the ceremony to celebrate the fishermen's achievements ; the ceremony to worship ancestors, descendants, and old friends at the Mausoleum of Ong Thuy Tuong.
In particular, the Whale Welcome Ceremony at sea and the procession to Lang Ong will take place at 9am on October 7 at Co Khi Ferry Terminal and Tac Xuat Ferry Terminal, with the participation of hundreds of boats sailing out to sea in a solemn atmosphere. The festival will close with an art program at 7:30pm on the same day at the main stage of Can Thanh Park.
This year's festival is rich with more than 20 cultural, sports and entertainment activities.
Highlights include the 4th Green Marathon ; the art route, the 112th anniversary exhibition of the Whale Festival and the 12th anniversary of its recognition as a national intangible cultural heritage on Le Thuong and Dang Van Kieu streets. The trade fair to stimulate demand and OCOP products was held at the Can Gio Commune Cultural and Sports Service Supply Center; the culinary festival of delicious seafood dishes and souvenirs lasted from October 4 to 14.
Whale welcoming ceremony
PHOTO: THANH TAM
Attendees can experience typical coastal folk games , children's painting contests, beautiful lantern making contests, mid-autumn festival, along with performances of traditional opera, amateur music, water puppetry, street circus, children's art . Attractive sports competitions such as Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cycling Championship , beach sports , open petanque tournament , futsal , stilt racing , pickelball , tennis exchange promise to bring a vibrant atmosphere.
In addition, many performances are held continuously such as lion and dragon dance, art kites , motorized paragliding , Muay Thai martial arts , light flycam (9 p.m., 6.10) and fireworks display at Can Thanh Park.
Raising the festival flag, opening ceremony of the Can Gio Whale Festival
PHOTO: THANH TAM
The Nghinh Ong Can Gio Festival is not only an occasion to honor folk beliefs but also contributes to educating the tradition of loving the profession, loving the sea and islands, building the spirit of hospitality, mutual assistance in the community, raising the awareness of urban civilization. The festival is a key cultural - tourist event of Ho Chi Minh City, attracting a large number of tourists, contributing to promoting the potential of the marine economy , developing tourism in Can Gio, a world biosphere reserve.
With careful preparation, the Can Gio Whale Festival 2025 promises to bring a unique festival space, harmoniously combining tradition and modernity, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of people and tourists from all over the world.
The Nghinh Ong Can Gio Festival was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2013. This is an honor and pride for the people of Can Gio in particular and Ho Chi Minh City in general, and is a recognition of the efforts of fishermen and localities in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, especially focusing on preserving the unique cultural features of coastal people, contributing to the construction and development of an advanced Vietnamese culture with a strong national identity.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/le-hoi-nghinh-ong-can-gio-2025-di-san-tet-bien-tram-nam-185250926162203139.htm
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