The festival is the epitome of various rituals like the whale worshipping ceremony often held by fishermen living in coastal areas.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa held a ceremony on June 14 to restore the Cau Ngu (Fish Worshipping) Festival to preserve and bring into full play the cultural value of the traditional rituals.
Cau Ngu is observed by the coastal communities stretching from Quang Binh to Kien Giang provinces. It originates from the traditional worship of Southern Sea God (Whale) believed to protect fishermen in distress at sea.
At the festival, 15 boats were mobilised for rituals at sea along with a procession of flower-decorated vehicles, dragon and lion dances, some acts of Tuong (Classical Drama) and singing performances.