The Cau Ngu festival, an annual festival where fisherman pray for a good haul of fish from their catch, took place in Cua Be village, Vinh Truong district, in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa between March 16 to 18.


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The event takes place between the 11th and 13th day of the second lunar month annually. Many people take part in the festival hoping for a bumper haul of fish and safe voyages throughout the new year.




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The main day of the festival falls on the 12th day of the second lunar month. On this day, an array of fishing boats carrying locals, visitors, ceremonial dragons, gongs, and drums, out to sea.




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The event features many activities such as parades in honour of whales, which take place on both land and sea, rituals to pray for good weather and good hauls, cultural events, dragon dances, and folk games.




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The festival begins with the Nghinh Ong ritual, an event for fishermen to pay their respects and gratitude for past successes, as well as hoping for good fortune on future voyages.




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The rituals which take place throughout the Cau Ngu festival have been preserved and passed down through generations of local people and fishermen.




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In total, the ritual lasts for about two hours.




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Dragon dances which take place on land attract large crowds of local people and tourists.




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Artists put on make-up for "hat tuong" (classical opera) at the festival.




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Zing/VOV