A new cruise ship tour from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City to Can Gio District will be launched to bring visitors to the Nghinh Ong (whale worshiping) Festival.
The annual ‘Nghinh Ong Festival’ (Whale Worship Festival) is being held in Can Gio from September 24 - 29.
A series of entertainment and cultural activities such as visiting the Rung Sac martyr’s cemetery, traditional music performances, food fair , traditional market, a circus performance and folk games will be held throughout the festival days.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized the annual Nghinh Ong (Whale Worshiping) Festival held in Can Gio District in Ho Chi Minh City as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.
Nghinh Ong Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of August on the Lunar Calendar with festivities including various rituals to worship the Whale or Ca Ong, and prayers for good seas, happiness and prosperity.
This is one of South Vietnam’s biggest festivals. There are many parallels between Nghinh Ong Festival and Cau Ngu (Fish Worshiping) Festival. With many folk stories attached to it, the Nghinh Ong Festival in Can Gio District has its own distinctive characteristics compared to other festivals in the country.
The festival is considered as a key and strong point for the tourism development of Can Gio District.