Long Chau fishermen’s prayer festival

The Long Chau fishermen’s prayer festival is held annually in Ngu Loc commune, Hau Loc district, in the central province of Thanh Hoa from February 21-24 according to the Lunar Calendar.
The highlight of the event is a solemn ceremony for carrying the Long Chau paper ship, which is believed to be the seat of the sea’s gods from Bac Tho commune to its stadium, where the festival takes place.
Clans in the commune gather at the festival to pray for good weather and a peaceful sea so that they can catch more fish and fishermen can be protected from danger while at sea.
Contests such as fishing squid and drawing nets along with traditional chess and volleyball friendlies and art performances are also held as part of the festival.
At the end of the festival, the organising board will burn the Long Chau ship and scatter the ashes in the sea in the hope that the sea’s gods will always be their patron.