According to the Dong Hai Commune People's Committee, the whale, which was over three metres long and 300 kilos in weight, was seen drifting onto Ho Thung Beach by some local fishermen in the early morning.

"The animal was in poor health," the commune said. "Some fishermen tried to help it back to the sea but it could not swim properly and was pushed back to shore again by the waves. Then it died shortly afterwards."

Local residents had taken the animal to a cemetery for whales in the area for burial services following local customs.

The committee said that whales are sometimes found dead on the beach and they were then buried according to local customs.

Whale worshipping is common among Vietnamese fishermen who believe that the whale's spirits protect them at sea. When a whale is found dead, locals will take it to the cemetery for burial.

Source: Dtinews