The Cầu Ngư Festival in Đà Nẵng, also known as the Whale Worship Festival, is held annually in early spring (usually from the 14th to the 16th day of the first lunar month).
The Whale Worship Festival embodies profound spiritual and communal values: with its solemn worship rituals and vibrant festive activities, it serves as an occasion for fishermen to offer prayers for a year of calm seas and sustainable fisheries, expressing their aspiration for peace upon the ocean. At present, Đà Nẵng preserves more than twelve Cầu Ngư festivals, with nearly every locality that has a Whale Temple hosting its own celebration.
Origin and Spiritual Significance
The Cầu Ngư Festival is closely associated with the legends and historical life of the coastal communities in Đà Nẵng. Deeply imbued with the belief in Whale Worship (Cá Ông), the festival honors the whale—a creature regarded as the incarnation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara—who is believed to always bless and protect fishermen at sea. Fishermen revere Cá Ông as the “guardian deity” of their maritime livelihood; offering incense and conducting rituals during the festival not only express gratitude to their forebears and to Cá Ông—who has many times saved boats and crews from fierce waves—but also embody their prayers for “calm seas, holds filled with fish,” along with “prosperity, fortune, and peace” for the new fishing season.
In addition, the festival serves as an occasion to strengthen the bonds within the fishing community: families and coastal villages come together to preserve traditional customs, exchange experiences, and revive cultural values through folk games. Thus, the Cầu Ngư Festival not only seeks blessings of peace for fishermen but also nurtures the spirit of preserving their trade, while reinforcing the maritime cultural identity of Đà Nẵng.
Cultural and Touristic Role
The Cầu Ngư Festival is not only of profound religious significance but also a treasured cultural heritage and a driving force for community-based tourism. Recognized in 2016 as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival has been preserved and cherished with the joint efforts of local authorities and communities. Each year, it attracts a large number of domestic and international visitors who come to participate or simply witness the festivities. Tourists are offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditional atmosphere, join in folk games, savor local seafood, and experience the rich maritime cultural identity of the region.
The vibrant images of colorful banners, ceremonial offerings, traditional attire, the resounding rhythms of drums and gongs during rituals, together with the warm smiles of coastal residents, leave an indelible impression. The festival not only promotes Vietnam’s maritime culture but also showcases Đà Nẵng’s rich traditions to friends from around the world. At the same time, it serves as a living repository for distinctive forms of folk art—such as the Bả Trạo dance, Tuồng, Hát Bội, and Hò Khoan—providing inspiration for the growth of cultural and spiritual tourism in Đà Nẵng.
The Cầu Ngư Festival in Đà Nẵng stands as a representative cultural and spiritual event of the coastal community, serving as a bridge between the past and the present. It profoundly reflects the fishermen’s love for the sea, their spiritual faith, and the enduring strength of communal solidarity. Beyond preserving traditional values, the festival also unlocks significant potential for eco-tourism and spiritual tourism in this seaside city, enriching the cultural tourism landscape while reinforcing the maritime cultural identity of Vietnam.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
