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Every spring, when the sea breeze has calmed after the Lunar New Year and the rhythm of life in the fishing village begins to liven up, Thai Duong village, Thuan An ward, Hue city, enters its most important festival of the year. In 2026, the Thai Duong Fishing Festival will take place on February 27th and 28th (corresponding to the 11th and 12th days of the first lunar month), attracting a large number of local people, fishermen from the coastal area, and tourists from all over to gather at Thuan An estuary to participate.
Thai Duong Village is one of the ancient villages in Thuan An, dating back to the Tran Dynasty's takeover of the O and Ly provinces in the 14th century. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, it was ranked by Emperor Thieu Tri as one of the twenty scenic spots of Hue Imperial City; Emperor Tu Duc bestowed upon it a four-character horizontal plaque: "Culture - Materiality - Fame - Fragrance". Historical sites such as Tran Hai Dai, Am Linh Temple, and the ancient village communal houses have become a source of pride for generations of coastal residents. The Cau Ngu Festival is the cultural "soul" of the village, where folk religious values are preserved naturally, without ostentation, but enduringly through many generations.
Thai Duong village is one of the ancient villages in the Thuan An region, dating back to after the Tran dynasty took over the two O provinces. Photo: Dinh Hoang
Held annually in the years of the Rat, Rabbit, Horse, and Rooster, the Fishing Festival is a unique religious activity of the fishermen of Thuan An, expressing their hopes for favorable weather, calm seas, smooth sailing, and abundant catches.
The ceremonial part was solemn with traditional processions and rituals; the festive part was lively with lion dances, folk singing, folk performances, and cultural exchanges… This year's highlight was the ceremony of initiating performances on land and in the water, and the departure of the fishing fleet for the southern fishing season. Following the signal from the elders, the performances vividly recreated the working life and solidarity of the coastal people, creating a new atmosphere for the fishing season.
The Fishing Festival is a unique religious activity of the fishermen of Thuan An.
Maintaining and organizing the Fishing Festival in a systematic way not only contributes to preserving the cultural heritage of the Thuan An coastal area but also promotes the image of Hue as a friendly and distinctive city; linking conservation with sustainable tourism development.
The procession and parade mark the beginning of the festival season.
From the morning of February 27, 2026, the festive atmosphere permeated Thai Duong village. This was the day of the procession and parade, marking the beginning of the important rituals of the Fishing Festival. To the solemn sound of drums and gongs, the procession, with its ceremonial flags, palanquin, and eight precious objects, stretched along the village roads, heading towards the village temple and the coastal area.
The procession is not a show of force but a genuine community cultural activity. Villagers, from the elderly to the youth, participate voluntarily and respectfully. Visitors following the procession can clearly feel the slow, close-knit pace of life in this ancient fishing village, where the festival is not separate from daily life but blends seamlessly into the community's rhythm.
To the solemn sound of drums and gongs, the procession, with its ceremonial flags, palanquins, and eight precious objects, stretched along the village streets, heading towards the village temple and the coastal area.
On February 27th, preparations for the main ceremony were also meticulously carried out. The atmosphere in the village was both solemn and lively, like a quiet but eager anticipation before the most important moment of the festival season.
The main fishing festival, facing the vast ocean.
Early in the morning of February 28, 2026, which is the 12th day of the first lunar month, the main Fishing Festival of Thai Duong village was held in the sacred space of the village temple and the coastal area. As the sun rose above the water, incense smoke drifted gently in the sea breeze, and the rhythmic sound of the ceremonial drums echoed, marking the beginning of the traditional rituals.
The main ceremony includes rituals of welcoming the deity, offering sacrifices, and praying for peace and a bountiful fishing season, performed by village elders, dignitaries, and the ceremonial team in traditional attire. Each ritual is conducted carefully and slowly, reflecting the reverence of the fishing community towards the Whale God (Nam Hai Dai Tuong Quan), the deity believed to protect fishermen on their voyages at sea.
The main ceremony includes rituals of welcoming the deity, offering sacrifices, and praying for peace and a bountiful fishing season, performed by village elders, dignitaries, and the ceremonial team in traditional attire.
Amidst the expansive sea and sky, the chanted prayers resonate with the sound of the waves, conveying wishes for favorable weather, calm seas, safe voyages, and successful fishing. For the people of Thai Duong village, the Fishing Prayer Ceremony is not only a spiritual ritual but also a moment for the community to turn their attention to the sea, sharing faith and hope for the new year.
The coastal area and the vicinity of the village communal house come alive with typical folk activities of the coastal region such as boat racing, tug-of-war, and performances of sea shanties and boat songs. The vigorous, rustic melodies echoing in the sea breeze vividly recreate the working life of fishermen from their voyages at sea to their return to the harbor.
The festival, with its land-based performances such as traditional singing and dancing, a fishing boat setting out to sea, and scenes of trading on shore, vividly recreated the working life and cultural life of the fishermen along the coast of Hue city. Elders threw money and offerings into the temple courtyard for children dressed as fish, squid, and shrimp to collect. While the "fish" were collecting the money, boat owners carried a boat into the courtyard. Those on the boat cast nets around the children. They caught large, beautiful fish and offered them to the founding deity.
The festival section features land-based performances such as traditional singing and dancing.
Other fish are carried to the market by the fishmongers. After selling their fish, the boat owners gather in an open field to divide the money. The festival is not only entertaining but also an opportunity for community bonding, for younger generations to better understand the fishing profession and the cultural values that have nurtured Thai Duong village for generations. Visitors attending the festival easily immerse themselves in the village festival atmosphere, feeling the genuine, open, and hospitable nature of the coastal residents.
Following these games is the river festival with boat races on Tam Giang lagoon. The sounds of drums, trumpets, and cheers resound continuously. Fishermen believe that the new year will bring a bountiful harvest, with holds full of shrimp and fish, safe boats, and prosperity for the village.
Folk festivals like the Fishing Festival are "living heritage," offering visitors authentic and emotionally rich experiences.
Visiting Thai Duong village during the festival, tourists not only get to participate in a unique traditional festival but also have the opportunity to experience life in a fishing village: enjoying fresh seafood, strolling on the soft sand, and listening to stories of livelihoods connected to the stormy seas from the local fishermen themselves.
Maintaining the Thai Duong Village Fishing Festival every three years not only demonstrates the community's awareness of preserving intangible cultural heritage but also contributes to enriching the traditional festival landscape of Hue. In the modern tourism landscape, folk festivals like the Fishing Festival are "living heritage," offering visitors authentic and emotionally rich experiences.
Concluding after two days, the Thai Duong Village Fishing Festival left a lasting impression on both locals and visitors. It was not only a prayer for safe voyages at sea, but also a gentle invitation for tourists to visit Hue in the spring, to stop by Thai Duong village in Thuan An ward, and experience a very different Hue: simple, intimate, and rich in maritime culture.
