Fish praying festival in Thua Thien-Hue

Organised once every three years, the festival commemorates the village guardian deity Truong Quy Cong, who was credited with reclaiming the land and taught the locals fishing and trading.

An oration is presented to the deities and the village’s predecessors to pray for a peaceful, happy and prosperous life for everybody. A woman, on behalf of all women in the village, pays homage to the deity.

Fishermen converge on the wharf near the communal house to participate in the festival while fishermen on a boat cast a net to catch fish and shrimp. After which is the performance of selling sea products. The performance lasts for more than one hour. Through these rituals, fishermen can express their wishes for good weather and a season of abundant fish. After that, participants enjoy a feast at the communal house.

The festival has become a festival of the whole community symbolising optimism and hope. It is also a source of encouragement so that fishermen can overcome difficulties in their life and work.