Thousands flock to sea worshipping festival in Tra Vinh Thousands flock to sea worshipping festival in Tra Vinh

More than 20,000 visitors have joined local fishermen in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh in the annual My Long sea worshipping festival, which has just been recognised as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.

The festival, also called Nghinh Ong, is held from the 10th to the 12th day of the fifth lunar month every year in Cau Ngang district, which fall on June 7-9 this year, to express thanks to the sea god and pray for good weather and bumper fish hauls.

On June 9 (May 12 on the lunar calendar), a mock ship carrying offerings and the wishes of local fishermen was sent to the sea in the last ritual of the festival.

Besides the rituals, many folk games and sports events were held to entertain participants, many of who came from other provinces in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

Tran Van Thanh, a fisherman in My Long town, Cau Ngang district, said all his grown up children always come back home for the festival, adding that this year, fishermen in the locality had a good catch thanks to favourable weather conditions.