Addressing theceremony, Director General of the Southern Office of the Ministry ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Le Van Hung said the recognition affirmedthe unique character of the festival, while acknowledging the efforts ofthe local people in preserving and upholding the cultural value overthe past time.
The ministry has asked the city, particularlyCan Gio district, to continue building a project to preserve and bringinto full play the value of this cultural heritage, he added.
In Can Gio district, Nghinh Ong festival is held along with theMid-Autumn Festival (from August 15-17 in lunar calendar), with thefocus being the worship of the whale at sea held on August 16.
It is a chance for fishermen to express their gratitude towards theNam Hai god (a whale) and sea gods for protecting and supportingfishermen in their daily life and at sea, and to pray for peace and goodharvest.-VNA