The unique Fishing Festival in Da Nang

From February 27-29, the Thanh Khe District Fishing Festival took place in Da Nang , featuring many vibrant activities reflecting the rich culture of the coastal residents. This is one of the unique festivals in Da Nang that has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The 2024 Fishing Festival includes traditional rituals: the welcoming of the deities; prayers for peace and a bountiful catch; thanksgiving ceremonies; and many interwoven activities reflecting the folk traditions of the fishing village: net weaving, carrying fish, basket spinning, "flavors of the sea" cuisine; traditional opera, folk singing; and various water sports : paragliding, jet skiing, Kzal boat racing, etc.

The traditional Thanh Khe District Fishing Festival 2024 was held at Ha Khe Beach Park (Xuan Ha Ward, Thanh Khe District). Photo: Mai Quang - Khanh Nhi/danang.gov.vn.

Fishermen perform the ritual of setting sail, hoping for favorable weather conditions. Each fishing boat carries the red flag with a yellow star as it heads out to sea, contributing to the protection of the sacred sovereignty of the nation's maritime territories.

Fishing Festival in Thanh Khe District (Da Nang). Photo: Mai Quang - Khanh Nhi/danang.gov.vn

At this year's festival, the Organizing Committee opened exhibition booths featuring models and images with the theme "Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam," OCOP products, specialties from districts and communes in Da Nang city, and characteristic dishes from Thanh Khe district.

Fishermen perform a ritual before setting sail, hoping for favorable weather conditions. - (Photo: Mai Quang - Khánh Nhi/danang.gov.vn).

This festival aims to preserve and promote spiritual, religious, historical, cultural, and artistic values, as well as to assert sovereignty over the sea and islands. Through this, it enhances community connection and serves as a unique cultural destination for tourists who want to learn about and experience the lives of the local people.

Over more than three centuries of formation and development, generations of Thanh Khe coastal villagers, following in their father-to-son footsteps, have accumulated a wealth of experience in coping with the storms of the sea.

The traditional Fishing Festival in Thanh Khe District has been held since 1923 and continues to this day. Following ancient tradition, the festival is celebrated with the utmost solemnity every three years.

In 2016, the traditional Fishing Festival of Thanh Khe District was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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