To the Sea: Immerse Yourself in the Vietnamese Fishermen's Praying for Fishermen Festival

Every spring, the sea murmurs the songs of life, signaling the beginning of the Cau Ngu festival of fishermen. In the coastal fishing villages, the atmosphere becomes bustling and eager. People eagerly prepare for a solemn festival, where prayers for a new year of peace, luck and bountiful harvest are sent through each sacred ritual. "The waves murmur and sing a song. Fishermen happily celebrate, worshiping distant boats. Praying for calm seas and peaceful skies . Warm all four seasons, full of fish and shrimp." Cau Ngu festival is one of the typical cultural features of Vietnamese fishermen, held annually in coastal areas from North to South. With the purpose of honoring the god of the sea and praying for a bountiful fishing season, Cau Ngu festival not only shows the deep gratitude of fishermen but is also an opportunity for the community to connect, share and preserve long-standing cultural values. Every time the festival season comes, coastal fishing villages are filled with a bustling, bustling atmosphere. From the lavishly decorated wooden boats to the sacred worship rituals, everything vividly reflects the spiritual life and close attachment of fishermen to the sea. The boats, a symbol of survival and development, are considered the embodiment of the Nam Hai Dai Tuong Quan god, the guardian deity of dangerous sea voyages. The festival begins with a boat procession, where people gather, offer offerings and pray together for a year of peace and luck. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"] Cau Ngu Festival in Binh Dinh. Photo: Binh Dinh Newspaper[/caption] Following the solemn ritual, the festival moves to the exciting part with cultural and sports activities on the river. The traditional boat race is one of the highlights of the festival, attracting the participation and enthusiastic cheers of the whole community. The racing boats rush across the deep blue water, amidst the cheers of people on both banks. Not only a competition of speed, the boat races are also a symbol of solidarity, community strength and pride of fishermen. The festival atmosphere becomes even more exciting with a series of folk cultural activities such as lion dance, dragon dance and traditional games. Children and adults participate in folk games such as tug of war, sack jumping, creating a joyful and colorful space. The performances of folk music and dance by local artists further enrich the festival atmosphere, while helping visitors understand more about the customs, habits and culture of coastal fishermen. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"] The Cau Ngu Festival in Nhon Hai attracts the attention of many visitors from afar thanks to its unique features. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan[/caption] Cuisine is also an indispensable part of the Cau Ngu Festival. Specialties from the sea such as grilled fish, steamed squid, and seafood pancakes are delicately prepared, imbued with the flavor of the ocean. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy not only delicious dishes but also feel the ingenuity and talent of fishermen. Through cuisine, the Cau Ngu Festival is also an opportunity to promote local culinary culture, introducing the unique values ​​of marine culture. The festival ends with the ritual of releasing flower lanterns on the sea, one of the rituals with profound spiritual meaning. The shimmering lights on the water at night are like prayers for peace and luck from fishermen to the ocean. The image of floating lanterns gently drifting along the water, carrying the wishes of the people, creates an emotional scene, closing a festival season imbued with national identity. The Cau Ngu Festival of Vietnamese fishermen is not only a religious activity, but also an opportunity for the community to unite, together preserve and promote traditional cultural values. Through each ritual, cultural activities and unique cuisine, the Cau Ngu Festival has become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of fishermen, bringing pride and love for the homeland and country.