Whale Worship Festival In Khanh Hoa 2025

Whale Worship Festival in Khanh Hoa is among the most fascinating festivals of Vietnamese culture This vibrant event pays homage to the revered whale deity, an entity believed to protect fishermen and ensure a bountiful catch.

About Whale Worship Festival

The Whale Worship Festival, also known as the Ca Ong Festival and held at Lang Ong - Nha Trang City depicts the island culture. This is a spiritual Khanh Hoa event that reflects the tradition of marine fishermen.

When is it held?

Every year on the 15th of the last lunar month, the Whale Worship Festival is conducted to thank Whales for protecting fishermen at sea and to pray for bumper fish catches.

The festival originates from the worship of Sir Nam Hai (the whale) and is held annually by the central coastal fisherman with ceremonies such as Sir Nam Hai's welcome ceremony, "Ba Trao" song, "Te Chanh" ceremony, "Tong Na" ceremony, and "Nghinh Ong" festival. In 2014, the  Whale Worship Festival in Khanh Hoa received a certificate of recognition as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Meaning of the Whales

In the beliefs of Khanh Hoa fisherman, whales are immensely important gods. The Whale is considered the Nam Hai god in the minds of the sea people who survive by fishing, who is always in line with tenacity and aids in a smooth and quiet departure. The image of a whalefish represents the current and gentle direction as well as the diligent fishermen's year-round relationship with the sea.

The Whale Worship Festival is the traditional cultural beauty

Whale Festival - The typical coastal culture festivals

Vietnam has a coastline of 3260 km, stretching through many provinces from Quang Ninh to Ca Mau. Whale Festival is considered a common cultural traditional beauty that can be found in any region.

The festival is both an opportunity for fishermen to pray for peace when going to sea, catching a lot of shrimp and fish, a prosperous and prosperous life, lasting happiness, and an opportunity for localities to attract domestic and foreign tourists contributing to increase revenue for tourism. The Whale Festival is also a place for people to show gratitude, drink water, and remember its source.

Depending on the locality, Whale Festival will take place at a certain time of the year with many solemn rituals that are responded to by a large number of people inside and outside the province.

The whale is a sacred sea creature, a savior for fishermen

Whale Worship Festival in Khanh Hoa is not just a festival, it is a profound cultural experience that connects people with the past, the present. Travel to Vietnam and immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of Vietnamese culture.