The fish worshipping festival in Thanh Hoa province’s Sam Son city took place on July 4-5 in Lach Hoi Seaport with a wide range of activities, drawing thousands of locals and visitors.
Main worshipping rites at the festival annually held on the 14th and 15th of the fifth lunar month included offering ceremonies, procession and prayers for safe and successful fishing trips, peace and happiness.
There was also a contest in procession rituals between villages, and a net weaving competition amongst skilful fishermen from localities
Procession is both a worshipping ritual and contest between villages.
The most exciting sport at the festival was the boat racing competition in Sam Son city. The competition attracted the participation of over 200 paddling men and women from communes and wards of the city, and was arranged in eight teams. Each racing team comprised of 21 paddling participants, and each racing boat competed in the contesting length of 1.6km on the sea.
The boat racing was held in the honor of divine deities believed to have protected the fishermen and the fishing industry in Sam Son.
Boat racing at the festival
PTT
