Phan Thiet has whale worship festival this month
Update: Aug 10, 2010
Phan Thiet City will hold the traditional Nghinh Ong Quan Thanh Festival on August 30 - September 1 (from the 21st day to the 23rd day of the 7th lunar month) with some important rituals at Ong Pagoda including a Buddhist prayer ceremony, whale worshipping and a ceremony where people release lanterns on the river to pray for a good life.

The highlight of the festival is the procession of Quan Thanh De Quan, accompanied by about 1,000 people doing folk performances in the city center on September 1.

Quan Thanh De Quan who was a general in Chinese history, symbolizes strength, courage, goodness, and faith. There will be music shows, Chinese traditional fashion, dragon dances, tuong classic drama), martial arts and folk games.

Next month Phan Thiet will hold the Mid-Autumn festival. The festival that starts September 21-22 or August 14 -15 of lunar calendar will include a lantern contest and lantern parade in Nguyen Tat Thanh Square.

About 5,000 students carrying lanterns will join the parade and march 3km through the city.
SGT