When visiting Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan), visitors can come to Van Thuy Tu Pagoda on Ngu Ong Street. This is one of the 13 fishing village palaces of 15 districts of Phan Thiet but becomes special because it used to be a place where many whales die.
At Van Thuy Tu Pagoda, there is also a whale skeleton with a length of 22 meters and a weight of 65 tons. This skeleton holds the record for the largest whale skeleton in Vietnam and is even considered the largest in Southeast Asia.
Fishermen in Phan Thiet are always very excited when they introduce their beliefs about worshiping their whales, which is also known as “Ca Ong”. They believe that “Ca Ong” is the god of Nam Hai - the one who helps the coastal people live peaceful and prosperous life. Therefore, they have very thoughtful and solemn forms of burial and burial.
According to the fishermen, if they meet a small “Ca Ong”, they will wash it with alcohol and then dry it in the sun for many days to reduce the smell, then bury it in Ngoc Lan Holy Land and build stone stele with names according to the fisherman's classification...
When the giant “Ca Ong” dies, it is buried in the sea to avoid causing pollution inland. But no matter where they are buried, fishermen very solemnly burn incense, make offerings to their fish, and then cover them with red cloth to show respect.
After many years, when the fish’s body is only bones, people continue to put the bones in the tomb to worship together. After nearly 260 years of existence since its construction in 1762, Van Thuy Tu Pagoda is the place to keep the skeletons of more than 100 big and small fishes, which contains unique cultural and religious values.
According to the Management Board of Van Thuy Tu Pagoda, the quantity of fishermen has significantly decreased to 30-40% compared to before.
However, festivals such as the Te Xuan Spring Festival, the first festival of the fishing season, and the main festival of the fishing season always attract the attention and participation of the people./.
