Binh Thuan (VNA) – Fishermen in Phan Thiet city, the south centralprovince of Binh Thuan brought a carcass of a whale (respectfully called Ca Ongby locals) to the shore for burial on April 17.
The fishermen found the gray whale, 15 metres in length and more than fourtonnes in weight, dead at sea on April 16.
Vietnamese coastal residents believe whales are sacred animals that helpfishermen at sea. Therefore, they often rescue the animals or bury the deadones in solemn ceremonies.
According to local practice, fishermen exhume whales’ graves after three years,and bring the remains to the local temple for worshipping.
Phan Thiet city has many temples to worship Ca Ong, with Van Thuy Tu being thelargest. It is keeping a whale skeleton, which is 22 metres long, the largestin Southeast Asia./.
