HCMC – The Can Gio Whale Worship Festival 2025, themed “Spirit of the Sea, Flow of Prosperity,” kicked off on October 5 at Can Thanh Park in HCMC’s coastal commune of Can Gio. The event marks the start of a series of cultural activities celebrating fishermen’s “Sea Tet”.
The annual festival, which is held during the full moon of the eighth lunar month, shows fishermen’s gratitude to the Whale God, or Nam Hai Dai Tuong Quan, believed to protect them from storms and bring bountiful catches. This year’s celebration runs from October 5 to 7 (the 14th to 16th of the eighth lunar month).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Van Dung, vice chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, said the festival has deep roots in local culture and the spiritual life of coastal residents. He described it as an occasion for the community to thank the sea, honor their ancestors and fallen heroes, and pray for calm waters and safe fishing trips.
Dung emphasized that beyond its cultural and spiritual meaning, the festival also serves to introduce visitors to Can Gio’s unique mangrove forests, the city’s “green lung”, as well as its traditional architecture, local faith, and warm-hearted people. He called for joint efforts to preserve the area’s heritage, promote eco-friendly tourism, and develop distinctive local products and services, contributing to Can Gio’s goal of becoming a “safe, friendly, and unique” destination.
