Buzz
Ranked among the top 15 largest festivals nationwide, the Thang Tam Temple festival annually attracts tens of thousands of residents of Vung Tau and visitors from afar. This Vung Tau festival is also the most important occasion to pray for blessings and express gratitude to Mr. Whale, the savior of coastal residents.
The legend of the Thang Tam Temple festival
Traveling to Vung Tau in the lunar February, tourists will have the opportunity to participate in the most remarkable Vung Tau festival, the Thang Tam Temple festival, a folk belief that has been deeply rooted among coastal residents for hundreds of years.
The Thang Tam Temple festival takes place annually from the 15th to the 18th of the lunar August at the Thang Tam Temple architectural complex in Vung Tau city. Thang Tam Temple consists of 3 historical sites: Thang Tam Temple, Ba Nguyet Shrine, and the Nam Hai Tomb.
According to legend, Thang Tam Temple worships three individuals who made significant contributions to establishing the three Thang villages in Vung Tau: Mr. Pham Van Dinh, Mr. Le Van Loc, and Mr. Ngo Van Huyen. During the reign of King Gia Long, Malay and Chinese pirates frequently raided and disrupted maritime trade activities, kidnapping fishermen. The king dispatched three military units led by three outstanding leaders.
Upon landing in Vung Tau, they established a military outpost named Phuoc Thang, tasked with maintaining peace and order while cultivating land, founding villages, and engaging in livelihood activities. After defeating the Malay and Chinese pirates, the military units were disbanded, gradually forming the three Thang villages. Upon their passing, the royal court bestowed divine honors upon the three gentlemen. Over centuries, the people of Vung Tau have preserved and developed the Thang Tam Temple festival, evolving into the most distinctive and grandest Vung Tau festival.
The Thang Tam Temple festival – also known as the Whale Worship festival – originates from the common belief in worshiping the Whale among coastal residents in the Central and Southern regions of Vietnam. Each coastal region has its own way and timing of organizing the festival, but all stem from profound respect for the Whale, considered the savior of fishermen amidst the turbulent sea.
The sacred spirit temple of Thang Tam holds numerous whale bone sets, the largest being an 18-meter-long set preserved for over 100 years behind the altar area.
The most spectacular and enticing festival in Vung Tau
On the afternoon of the 17th lunar day, the festival at Vung Tau tourist destination officially commences with the Nghinh Ong ceremony from Nghinh Phong Cape to the Thang Tam sacred spirit temple. The fishing boats of the fishermen are adorned with colorful flags and solemn drums. They depart from the Bai Truoc sea area to the Hon Ba temple at Nghinh Phong Cape. The dragon boat leads the way, followed by dozens of large and small boats carrying thousands of people. Upon reaching Nghinh Phong Cape, they stop, turn the boat's bow towards the sea, and perform the ritual.
The Nghinh Ong procession includes elderly leaders, robust young men carrying palanquins, and a large number of local fishermen. Upon arrival, offerings of incense, wine, and flowers are made to the sea deity as part of the ritual to welcome Ong, known as the “Opening Sea Procession”. After the sounding of three ceremonial gongs, a respected elder offers incense and prayers, followed by a performance by the dragon dancers depicting the “opening sea procession” to welcome the revered sea deity.
The procession escorting the divine spirit of Lord Whale back to Bai Truoc at the tourist attraction in Vung Tau was a sight to behold. Everyone wore joyful and solemn expressions, dressed immaculately for the occasion. Upon reaching Bai Truoc, a magnificent 10-meter-long paper statue of Lord Whale will be escorted to the Nam Hai Shrine. Leading the procession are elders adorned in traditional attire, holding ceremonial flags and staffs.
Accompanying the procession is a ceremonial music band with drums, trumpets, and flutes, along with eight fishermen in neat brown attire carrying the palanquin. The procession also includes characters dressed as deities of Prosperity, Fortune, Longevity, and figures from the Journey to the West tale, dancing energetically to the beat of drums.
The grand procession extends over 2 kilometers, bustling with people of all ages, dressed in their finest attire. It winds through the major streets of the Vung Tau tourist destination, passing through Bai Truoc, Quang Trung Street, Le Loi Street, Trung Trac Street, Hoang Hoa Tham Street, and culminating at the Thang Tam Shrine.
After escorting Lord Whale back to rest at the Thang Tam Shrine, other rituals will commence, including the fishing prayer ceremony, offerings to Lord Nam Hai Cuc Toc Chi Thanh, seeking blessings from the Nam Hai Shrine, constructing ceremonial pavilions, and paying homage to the venerable ancestors who contributed to the land's prosperity and development.
As part of the Vung Tau festival, there are also cultural activities such as lion dancing, traditional opera, folk singing, and classical drama, which are lively and attract many tourists and local fishermen from all over to witness the spectacle.
With profound reverence for its roots, the Thang Tam shrine festival is an incredibly unique Vung Tau festival, representing the cultural essence of the people of Vung Tau. If you have the opportunity to visit Vung Tau in August of every lunar year, don't forget to participate in this remarkable cultural festival.
