Being a river region, for a long time, the residents of the West have had the custom of "Tong Phong" or "Tong On" or "Tong Gio". The meaning of the "Tong Phong" festival is to drive away risks, diseases, and disasters.
This is a traditional festival that takes place over 3 days, from January 12 to 14 every year, with many unique activities, imbued with the culture of the Mekong Delta.
According to Thanh Nien reporters, on February 11, at Ba Chua Xu Temple (Chao Chai, Zone 4, Hung Phu Ward, Cai Rang District, Can Tho City), the main festival took place. Most of the people in Chao Chai prepared boats in advance with food, drinks, and water jets to perform the festival on the river. Hundreds of tourists also rented boats, brought food and drinks to parade, party right on the boats, and immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere.
"The boat to send bad luck" was released into the water, carrying with it the people's misfortunes.
The festival attracts hundreds of large and small boats and ships following the boat carrying the "tong on" raft, moving around the Can Tho River area, then moving to the middle of the Hau River to hold the "tong phong" raft lowering ceremony, praying for luck in the new year.
Hundreds of boats, ships, and boats, big and small, bobbing, beating drums, and performing lion dances on the river to ward off bad luck.
After lowering the raft, people happily eat, drink, sing, dance, scoop water and splash each other (also known as New Year's water splashing) to get luck in the new year, use water to wash their hands, feet and faces, young men jump into the river to bathe... creating a bustling atmosphere.
While moving, people perform the water-splashing ritual as a wish for success in the new year.
Mr. Tran Van Loc (73 years old), Head of the Executive Board of Ba Chua Xu Temple, said that the Tong Phong festival has been a traditional festival of the residents of the Fishing Village for more than 120 years, to send off the ghost soldiers, pray for a year of favorable weather, good health, and prosperity. The peace-praying ceremony is associated with the legend of the two sisters Ba Chua Xu Lon and Nho. The temples of the two Ladies are located at the two ends of the village to protect the people. The Tong Phong festival in Can Tho is also the largest Tong Phong festival in the West, with nearly 2,000 participants.
Thousands of people and tourists follow the festival train, immersing themselves in the river festival.
To ensure safety during the festival, the waterway traffic police force is also "on duty" when the boats and ships parade.
The organizers carried the "warm boat" onto a large ship to parade around the fishing village area, then went to the Hau River to launch the "warm boat".
Locals and tourists join in cheering and responding to the unique activities of the festival.
People and tourists follow the festival train, immersing themselves in the river festival.
Hundreds of boats, large and small, bobbing, drumming and lion dancing on the river to ward off bad luck.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-dao-mien-tay-hang-tram-ghe-tau-ra-song-hau-choi-le-hoi-tong-phong-185250211180512728.htm
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