VietNamNet Bridge - Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai province is not only
known as the home of the Hoang Sa flotilla in the Nguyen Dynasty but
also the largest 'museum' of whalebones in Vietnam.
VietNamNet Bridge - Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai province is not only known as the home of the Hoang Sa flotilla in the Nguyen Dynasty but also the largest 'museum' of whalebones in Vietnam.
Ly Son island district has dozens of tombs of whales. The tomb named
Lang Tan in An Vinh Commune has been recognized a national cultural and
historical relic site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
This is the home for many of the largest old whale skeletons in Vietnam.
In
April 2014, while fishing in the waters of the Truong Sa (Spratly)
Islands, Captain Truong Minh Ky discovered a dead whale 12 meters long, 6
tons in weight. He took the dead fish to Ly Son Island for burial.
The local authorities used a specialized crane to take the dead fish onshore to bury with special rituals.
T
The whale skeleton will be dug up for worship after five years.
This whale skeleton is 20 meters long. Locals said this skeleton is almost 300 years old.
Vietnamese
fishermen believe that whales rescue people in danger at sea and can
bring them a prosperous fishing season. They consider whales as the Nam
Hai god and sea gods for protecting and supporting them in their daily
lives and at sea.
Lang Tan is currently preserving three giant whale skeletons.
The islanders annually donate money to preserve the whale skeletons at whale tombs.
Every spring, local fishermen organize rituals to worship the whales.