The skeletons date between 250 and 300 years. They are 18m and 22m long, and nearly 4m high, the biggest of their kind preserved in Vietnam.

It took more than two months for the technicians to finish the restoration work as the bones were in very poor condition, with 40 per cent having been damaged. 

The skeletons are 18m and 22m long, and nearly 4m high, the biggest of their kind in Vietnam. VNA/VNS Photo

“The two whale skeletons were severely damaged due to the very humid weather of the region, which is a coastal locality. We decided to plasticise the rotting bones, and conjoined them by stainless steel inside, and reassembled them to get the finished products,” Dang Trung Hieu, a technician from the Ca Mat Troi Company, which is responsible for the work, said.

The skeletons were then reconstructed to simulate the position of whales swimming.

Whales, often referred to as “Cá Ông” (Mr Whale) in Vietnamese are worshipped by fishermen in Vietnam as Gods who help them when they face difficulties at sea, and ensure a good catch.

Ly Son Island is said to be 'the biggest museum' of whales in the country. On the island, there are seven temples worshipping whales where tens of skeletons are kept.   

The project includes the construction of an exhibition hall. VNA/VNS Photo

The local people are pleased with this project, as it is the first to help preserve the remains of the holy animal in their locality.

“We are very happy that the State has paid attention to this. With the State’s care the whale skeletons will be preserved for many years to come,” Nguyen Thanh Chau, a resident of Dong Anh Vinh Commune on Ly Son, said.

The restoration project, including the restoration of skeletons and the construction of an exhibition house, has a total investment of over VND14 billion (US$616,000).

The local authority said the project aimed to preserve the traditional beliefs of local residents and promote tourism. 

Source: Vietnam News

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