Nghinh Ong Festival – Unique cultural identity in Kien Giang

The Nghinh Ong (whale worshipping) Festival opened in Lai Son Commune, Kien Hai District, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang on November 14 as part of Visit Viet Nam Year 2016 - Phu Quoc - Mekong Delta”.
Huynh Hoang Son, Chairman of Kien Hai People’s Committee, said the Nghinh Ong Festival aims to honour the solidarity of fishermen at sea in fishing and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty over sea and islands.
The festival is a cultural identity of the coastal locality, which has been preserved and passed through generations, contributing to enriching the country’s culture.
This is also a chance for Kien Hai District to introduce cultural values, natural resources and typical tourism products, as well as its beautiful natural landscapes and maritime economic potentials.
Through the festival, Kien Hai District expects to leave a strong impress on tourists both at home and abroad, while encouraging local people to join hands in developing tourism, and promoting tourism cooperation with other areas and regions across the country, said Son.
According to the official, boosting sea-based tourism in parallel with protecting maritime resources is seen as a pillar in the district’s socio-economic development strategy.
The two-day festival includes various traditional activities, including rituals to invite Gods, peace-praying and requiem ceremonies.
An exhibition highlighting the legal and historical evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes kicked off on the same day.
Within the festival’s framework, a number of activities will also be organised, including a trade fair, sport events and music performance.