Cau Ngu (whale worship) is a form of folk festival associated with the life of coastal fishermen in several districts in Quang Binh province.

Cau Ngu Festival. Photo: nongnghiep.vn

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien on October 30 signed a decision to recognize Cau Ngu Festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The decision aims to protect and promote traditional cultural values of the festival as well as to facilitate the development of Quang Binh's tourism.

Cau Ngu (whale worship) is a form of folk festival associated with the life of coastal fishermen in Quang Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy districts, Ba Don commune and Dong Hoi town in Quang Binh province.

Cau Ngu festival is a unique cultural feature of coastal localities, which has been preserved and passed down through many generations. The festival is to pray for bumper hauls of fish, safe voyages and peace for the nation.

Earlier, Quang Binh province introduced its new tourism product of exploring Vom and Gieng Vooc caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Accordingly, visitors can choose a one-day or two-day tour, crossing streams and camping overnight in the forest and exploring stunning caves with diverse fauna and flora species.

Quang Binh has a 116-km coastline and a 201.87-km border with Laos. Home to a stretch of the Truong Son limestone mountain range, the province is famous for its cave systems, incredible mountain scenery and sprawling beaches. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the world’s largest cave Son Doong.

The number of tourists to Quang Binh province in the first six months of 2018 was estimated at 1.8 million, a 17% increase from the same period last year, according to the Quang Binh province Department of Tourism.

In 2018, the province strives to greet 3.5 million holidaymakers, including 120,000 foreigners.

Hanoitimes