The huge whale skeleton is worshipped at the Van Thuy Tu Temple, a national relic site in Ngu Ong Road, Duc Thang Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province.

"For fishermen, whales are the god of the sea, who always appear to rescue boats in storms. Therefore, we call whales Mr. Nam Hai or Mr. Whale," said fisherman Nguyen Huy Thang, 83.

According to historical records kept at Van Thuy Tu Temple, this temple was built by fishermen of Thuy Tu village in 1762 to worship the Whale. When the temple was inaugurated a big storm came, affecting many fishing vessels. At that time, Mr. Whale appeared to help farmers overcome the accident.

Two days after the storm, the village of Thuy Tu saw the body of the Whale on the beach, about 50 m from Van Thuy Tu Temple. To repay the Whale’s help, fishermen held the funeral for the Whale and buried him on the campus of the temple.

As the fish are over 20 m long and weigh nearly 70 tons, it took fishermen up to two days to take him into his resting place.

After three years, the Whale grave was exhumed and the skeleton was carried into the temple for worship. In May 2003, the skeleton was restored and assembled by experts from the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute.

The whale skeleton was covered with a layer of plastic for preservation so visitors can touch the bones, a female tour guide in Van Thuy Tu Temple said. As the weight of the skeleton is several tons, it is supported by a steel frame. The bones are checked periodically.

Under the skeleton is a blue space made of plastic, silk and lights to symbolize the sea.

Mr. Mai Giac, 70 years old, who care for the worship of the Whale, said: "Every day, local fishermen come to Van Thuy Tu Temple to burn incense and pray for the Whale’s support for their safe voyage. The villagers also hold the death anniversary for the Whale on 20/6 of the lunar calendar.”