Whale worship still thrives
The exclusively Vietnamese custom of people in certain fishing villages
worshipping whales is certainly not a thing of the past.
The exclusively Vietnamese custom of people in certain fishing villages
worshipping whales is certainly not a thing of the past.
Indeed, in several villages from north to south Vietnam, temples are set aside to seek blessing from the whales and to invite them to help provide a bountiful catch for the year.
On Jan.30, about 10,000 fishermen gathered in the southern province of Bac Lieu's Hoa Binh district to join the first whale worship festival to be held in the region.
The event has been popular in coastal provinces from central Quang Binh southward because of a belief that the large sea mammals rescue people in danger and accompany them to shore.
At Jan.30's celebrations, residents with flags, drums and trumpets set out to sea in dozens of motor-boats in the early morning as a new temple, Duyen Hai drew crowds of visitors.
At the junction of the sea and river, the fishermen's orchestra reached a crescendo to invite passing whales to become official deities at the temple.
The fishermen also prayed that the whales would help them catch fish and bring prosperity.
The three-day festival also hosted various artistic performances and folk games to entertain festival goers.
Timing for the festival is different from province to province. /.
Indeed, in several villages from north to south Vietnam, temples are set aside to seek blessing from the whales and to invite them to help provide a bountiful catch for the year.
On Jan.30, about 10,000 fishermen gathered in the southern province of Bac Lieu's Hoa Binh district to join the first whale worship festival to be held in the region.
The event has been popular in coastal provinces from central Quang Binh southward because of a belief that the large sea mammals rescue people in danger and accompany them to shore.
At Jan.30's celebrations, residents with flags, drums and trumpets set out to sea in dozens of motor-boats in the early morning as a new temple, Duyen Hai drew crowds of visitors.
At the junction of the sea and river, the fishermen's orchestra reached a crescendo to invite passing whales to become official deities at the temple.
The fishermen also prayed that the whales would help them catch fish and bring prosperity.
The three-day festival also hosted various artistic performances and folk games to entertain festival goers.
Timing for the festival is different from province to province. /.
You should also see
Lang Son province seeks global status for local geopark
A dossier has been built by the People’s Committee of the northern mountainous province of Lang Son to seek the UNESCO recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a global one.
See more
Environment
Saigon Co.op ties up with Winrock International for waste circulation
Saigon Co.op signed an MoU with non-profit Winrock International in HCM City on April 12 to reduce environmental pollution by developing a waste circulation model, enhancing waste separation at source and raising the extended producer responsibility.
Environment
Solutions proposed to tackle growing challenge of electronic waste
Vietnam faces a growing problem with electronic waste (e-waste), according to a study by the Hanoi University of Science and Technology's Centre of Science-Technology and Environment.
Environment
Contest seeks innovative solutions to recycle plastic
The innovative solution contest 2024 was launched in Hanoi on April 12, aiming to seek solutions in the plastic circular value chain, especially new and creative solutions in improving the capacity to collect, process and recycle plastic packaging.
Environment
Co To calls for actions to prevent plastic pollution in tourism activities
Co To island district in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh has asked local accommodation facilities and travel firms to apply environmental protection measures in tourism business activities to build an island free of plastic bags and other single-use items.
Environment
Eight coastal localities get more support in forestry modernisation
The 4,040 hectares of forests planted and restored in the first phase of the World Bank (WB)-funded Forest Sector Modernisation and Coastal Resilience Enhancement Project will receive further care, as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a decision on the adjustment of the project investment, an official has said.
