Can Gio prepares for the Nghinh Ong Festival.

Held annually on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, the festival is a unique cultural tradition of coastal fishermen, a time to pray for favorable weather, national peace and prosperity, and the safety of those at sea. The main activities of the Nghinh Ong Festival in Can Gio take place over three days, from September 7th to 9th, corresponding to the 14th, 15th, and 16th of the eighth lunar month.

The festival mainly takes place in Can Thanh town and includes ceremonial activities such as visiting the Rung Sac Martyrs' Cemetery, the Flag Raising Ceremony, the Ceremony to Celebrate the Achievements of Can Gio District Fishermen, paying respects to the ancestors and former fishermen, a procession of lantern-lit boats on the sea, the Ceremony of Welcoming the Sea God and welcoming the procession back to the Mausoleum of the Water God, and a traditional grand ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Water God. The festive part includes folk games of the Can Gio coastal region such as log pushing, net throwing, net mending, stilt racing, and rowing boat racing.

“This year, for the first time, the People's Committee of Can Gio District has developed a festival plan with the theme “Fishermen clinging to the sea” to strengthen the dissemination and education of love for the profession, love for the homeland, and the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland through the festival. It is expected that in 2014, the festival will attract approximately 40,000 visitors. Preparations for accommodation services and ensuring safety and security throughout the festival have been seriously implemented by the People's Committee of the district,” said Ms. Doan Thi Ngoc Cam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Gio District. With the theme “Fishermen clinging to the sea,” one of the highlights of the 2014 Nghinh Ong Festival is the exhibition “Vietnam's Border - Sea and Islands,” along with exhibitions of images and artifacts about the 35-year process of restoring, protecting, and preserving the Can Gio Mangrove World Biosphere Reserve; and an exhibition of images and artifacts about the revolutionary struggle tradition of Can Gio District. Exhibitions of fishing gear through the ages; exhibitions introducing river tourism…

In addition, there are other activities such as nightly cultural performances, the Vietnamese Goods Market, the Southern Flavors Food Festival, city-level sports competitions, and the organization of Mid-Autumn Festival gift-giving events, including mooncakes and school supplies for children in Can Gio district.

The Thanh