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The Nghinh Ong Vam Lang festival has long been regarded as a cultural highlight of the people of Tien Giang province. The locals here have strong confidence in the fish and always pray for good luck from this god. Visit Tien Giang to find out more about this festival!
The origin of Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival, also known as Nghinh Ong Festival celebration shares many parallels with Nghinh Ong events held in the country's waters. However, there is a subtle distinction that is infused with the culture and beliefs of the people of Tien Giang. This celebration is also known as the Ceremony of Ong Bone Procession, the Cau Ngu Ceremony, the Fish Sacrifice Ceremony, the Nghinh Ong Ceremony, and the Nghinh Ong Thuy General Ceremony. However, at the Nghinh Ong - Vam Festival Lang, there will be some more appealing events, such as the Ceremony of Inquiry and the Traditional Sacrifice.
According to local elders, when King Gia Long (now Nguyen Anh) fled the Tay Son army at the mouth of the Soai Rap river, he encountered a large storm and the boat was in danger of sinking. He prayed to heaven, earth, and gods for assistance because he didn't know what to do. Fortunately, at this time, a massive whale appeared out of nowhere to defend and guide the boat to the coast of Vam Lang sea unhurt.
To express his thanks, Nguyen Anh bestowed the title "Nam Hai Dai General Quan" to the fish and ordered temples to be built throughout the sea. Kieng Phuoc communal house was ordained as Nam Hai Nhi Dai General Quan in 1852.
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival Meaning
Tien Giang province fishermen celebrated a Nghinh Ong Festival to hope for calm waves, quiet sea, peaceful breeze, full fishing boats after sailing voyages, and a fruitful fishing season after sailing trips. Vam Lang is elegant and grandiose, yet also intimate. Furthermore, Ong fish is considered a guardian god for boats throughout their existence at sea by fisherman. As a result, floating on the sea provides an opportunity for individuals to show their thanks as well as have fun and occupy themselves after a year of hard labor.
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Nghinh Ong Vam Lang festival time and location
If you are fortunate enough to visit Tien Giang during the third lunar month, do not miss the Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival. This is one of the largest events in the region, so you will be able to immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere.
Every year, on the 9th and 10th of the third lunar month, the officials and people of Tien Giang eagerly prepare for and unite to celebrate the two-day Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival. This festival takes place in the commune of Vam Lang, Go Cong Dong district, Tien Giang province.
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival, also known as Nghinh Ong Festival
What makes Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival unique?
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival, like other festivals, will have two necessary parts: the Ceremony and the Festival.
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival Ceremonies
The parade of God's color kicks off the Nghinh Ong Vam Lang celebration on the morning of the 9th day of the third lunar month in Dinh Than (Kien Phuoc Commune). According to the locals, the parade includes more than 50 persons and two ceremonial horse-drawn carriages. Ceremonial music will be played in accordance with historical practices, and drums will sound until the spirit is taken to the mausoleum. The organizers then went to Ong Nam Hai Tomb (located in Lang 1 Quarter, Vam Lang town) to continue the ancestor worshiping ceremonies, the ceremony to invite the ancient cake, the ceremony to ask for the dead on land, and so on.
Following the morning's ritual procession of the Spirit, everyone has the opportunity to observe the hydraulic ceremony. This worshiping ceremony is the most solemn element of the Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival because it is the time when fisherman present Ong valuable gifts to express their appreciation and respect. In the evening, you will be immersed in the atmosphere of the rite of worshiping the biased spirits in front of the altar, where everyone, including the old, children, and girls, is dancing, playing trumpet music, engaging in traditional games, or warming up with some exercise and being full of life.
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival entered the most unforgettable occasion in the early morning of the 10th of the third lunar month. Over 70 boats will be decorated with magnificent flags and lights, as well as incense burners full of offerings such as roasted pig, sticky rice, pastries, and fruits (Vinh Kim Lo Ren breast milk, Tan Lap hamlet, Hoa Loc sand mango...), incense sticks, incense... are parked all over the sea. The young men of the region will be ready on the boat with the festival band and lion dance to invite the Ong fish.
Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival
When they heard the drum sound from the Tomb of Ong Nam Hai, they all walked out to sea to follow out the procedures to pick up Mr. The triumphal train returned with the delight and loud cheers of the people on the coast following the end of the sea sacrifice rite. Every residence on the canal's banks has an outdoor incense table, complete with flowers, offerings, and fragrant incense. Finally, people bring objects onto the ship for a ceremony and to continue some rites at Lang Ong.
The Assembly was incredibly exciting
It will come to the Assembly after the Ceremony. The festival portion of the Nghinh Ong Vam Lang celebration is celebrated concurrently over two days (the 9th and 10th of the third lunar month) and is extremely vibrant and cheerful.
Travel enthusiasts will be able to participate in folk games and sports events such as tug of war, slow bicycle racing, soccer, volleyball, swimming, singing boi, boat racing, climbing fat poles, capturing ducks, pushing sticks, and so on. Surrounded by loud cheers and cheers, the event becomes even more happy and boisterous.
To cheer you up, it has been disclosed that everyone can stop by restaurants or floating markets to taste delectable Tien Giang delicacies such as Tien Giang grilled snakehead fish, My Tho noodle soup, Snakehead fish porridge with bitter vegetables, My Tho old noodle salad...
Rach Mieu Brige - Tien Giang Province
The Nghinh Ong Vam Lang festival can be said to have brought fundamental human values, leading to the creation of its own identity in the flow of folk beliefs and expanding throughout the Southern areas. If you can attend this amazing festival just once, paired with exciting Western tours, you will undoubtedly have valuable and unforgettable memories and experiences.
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