The festival Nghinh Ong is organized annually in HCMC’s Can Gio District and this year the social and cultural event kicked off in the coastal town of Can Thanh on Friday with a Vietnamese goods fair, hosted by the Investment and Trade Promotion Center in HCMC (ITPC).
According to La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, apart from ceremonial activities carried out by local fishermen, the festival will be more diversified than in previous years. There are over 50 different programs, including a Vietnamese goods fair, eco tourism and trade promotion in the fishing sector.

Following the fair, the ritual Thuong Dai ky le hoi is set to take place on Monday, September 12 on Le Thuong Street, Can Thanh District.

Meanwhile, there will be a series of entertainment and festive activities organized on Saturday such as an iron ball competition, football match and art kite performance. On the same day, visitors coming to the park can join many exhibitions on HCMC’s sea-islands and river traveling, fishing tools and Can Gio’s anniversary gifts.

On Sunday, many events suitable for all ages will also be convened, ranging from the national marathon championship for adults to a painting contest for needy children.

As planned, the three main carnival days will begin from Monday morning with the festival at the water general’s tomb, the visit to Rung Sac martyr’s cemetery, water puppetry, a circus, martial arts and lion-dances performances. At the same time, the children’s amusement park is planned to be inaugurated before the Mid-Autumn festival which is set to take place at the district’s children house.

Notably, the expected ritual Nghinh Ong will be on Tuesday. This is the time for hundreds of boats to go out to sea at 10 a.m. to greet ca ong’s (whale) soul. The Dai le worshiping ceremony will be arranged at the water general’s tomb on Wednesday with the participation of several classical theaters.

SGT