Hau Loc Fish Praying Festival: Beauty of faith in the coastal region of Thanh Hoa

1. Overview of the Hau Loc Fish-Praying Festival

1.1. Time and Location of the Hau Loc Fish-Praying Festival

The Hau Loc Fish-Praying Festival is held in Van Loc commune, Thanh Hoa province, belonging to the Diem Pho relic complex – an area considered the cradle of the fishing profession in Thanh Hoa. During the festival days, the entire village seems to put on a new dress, vibrant with the colors of flags, flowers, boats, and traditional costumes. The sound of festival drums echoes, blending with the sound of sea waves, creating an atmosphere that is both sacred and bustling, deeply expressing the faith and love for the sea of the coastal residents of Thanh Hoa.

The Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival is held in Van Loc commune, Thanh Hoa province. (Source: Collected)

The festival takes place from the 22nd to the 24th of the second lunar month annually, when the weather in Thanh Hoa is warm in spring, the sea is calm, and fishermen prepare to enter a new fishing season. This is an ideal time for people to hold the festival to pray for favorable weather, smooth voyages, successful catches, and a prosperous life.

1.2. History of the formation and development of the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival

According to historical records, the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival, also known as the Cau Mat Festival, originated in the 12th century, during the Le dynasty, when the coastal village of Diem Pho was first established. The festival was born along with the process of village building and settlement of the residents in the Van Loc coastal area. Through centuries, the fish worshipping festival remains a bridge connecting people with the sea, between the past and the present, becoming a characteristic symbol of Thanh Hoa's coastal culture.

1.3. Significance of the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival for fishermen in Thanh Hoa

For fishermen in Thanh Hoa, the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival is a sacred event closely linked to their spiritual life. It is an occasion to commemorate ancestors, express gratitude to the deities who have protected fishermen through many sea seasons, and pray for safe voyages, full nets of shrimp and fish, and a prosperous life. Each ritual, each drumbeat, carries faith and strength, adding motivation for the people to remain steadfast amidst the sea.

Not only does it hold spiritual value, but the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival is also a symbol of solidarity and pride for generations of Thanh Hoa fishermen. The festival helps preserve good customs and traditions, awakens love for the homeland and the determination to stay by the sea for coastal residents, contributing to enriching the Vietnamese maritime cultural identity.

2. Notable activities at the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival

2.1. Solemn ritual section

The ritual section of the Hau Loc Fish Worshipping Festival begins in a solemn atmosphere filled with traditional colors. The most prominent is the procession of the Long Chau boat – a dragon-shaped replica boat symbolizing the authority and sacredness of the sea. The procession moves along the coastal roads to the sounds of lively drums and gongs, carrying the deep faith and gratitude of the fishermen towards the protective deities. Alongside the Long Chau boat is a procession of palanquins including the Buddha palanquin, the Mother Goddess palanquin, the Bat Cong palanquin, the Whale God palanquin, and the Duc Vua Ne Son palanquin, each carrying its own meaning, symbolizing the harmony between religion and life, between folk beliefs and the spiritual life of coastal residents.

The Long Chau boat procession ritual is solemnly performed amidst the sound of drums and colorful flags. (Source: Collected)

After the palanquin procession, the rituals of offering sacrifices, incense, and reading the prayer were conducted in the sacred space by the coast of Diem Pho. The prayer resounded solemnly, blending with the lively sound of festival drums, like a symphony of peace sent to heaven and earth. The people respectfully offered sacrifices to the sea god, the Three Jewels of Buddhism, and the ancestors, praying for favorable rain and wind, abundant catches, prosperous homeland, and peaceful nation. Each ritual in the Hau Loc Fish Prayer Festival not only expresses the gratitude and faith of the people but also reflects the deep harmony between humans and the sea.

2.2. Lively and exciting festival part

After completing the solemn rituals, the Hau Loc Fish Prayer Festival moved to the joyous festival part, where laughter and the sounds of the sea blended in a jubilant atmosphere. Folk games such as squid fishing contests, net weaving, tug-of-war, and folk singing duels were organized vibrantly, vividly recreating the working life of coastal fishermen. This is not only an occasion for people to show their skill and agility but also an opportunity to interact, learn, and strengthen solidarity among fishing villages.

Folk music echoed everywhere, from the urgent sound of festival drums, the lively lion dances to the performances of Chau Van singing, Luu Thuy music, or the captivating human chess game. Each performance carried the breath of the sea, telling the story of the floating, resilient, and faithful life of the coastal people. Sports activities and community exchanges contributed to tightening bonds, creating the humanistic beauty and enduring vitality for the Hau Loc Fish Prayer Festival, making it a grand festival for the entire Thanh Hoa coastal region.

2.3. Closing ceremony: Sending the Long Chau boat back to the sea

The moment of sending the Long Chau boat back to the sea concluded the Hau Loc Fish Prayer Festival in a sacred and moving atmosphere. As the Long Chau boat was gently released onto the water, everyone followed its slow drift towards the sea, as if sending all good wishes to the sea god. This image symbolizes faith in the sea's protection, praying for a year of calm seas and gentle winds, abundant catches, and safe voyages for fishermen. The sound of the waves blended with the resounding festival drums like a farewell and also a promise for the new fishing season. Although the festival has ended, the echoes of the boat burning ritual remain in everyone's hearts, reminding them of the sacred bond between humans and the sea, between the present and the generations-old traditions of Thanh Hoa.

3. Tips for attending the Hau Loc Fish Prayer Festival

Attending the Hau Loc Fish Prayer Festival is not only an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Thanh Hoa coast but also a chance to better understand the cultural life and beliefs of the local fishermen. To make your trip more complete, visitors should prepare carefully in terms of attire, etiquette, and plan to combine visits to prominent attractions in the surrounding area.

Suggested attire and essential items: Visitors should choose light, polite, and appropriate clothing for the festival atmosphere. Sneakers or flat sandals are ideal choices for easy movement on the sand and around the procession area. Additionally, visitors should bring a light jacket, hat, personal water bottle, sunscreen, and a camera to protect their health and capture memorable moments of the festival.

Notes on customs and etiquette when attending the festival: In the sacred space, visitors must maintain a respectful attitude, avoid loud talking or taking photos indiscriminately during the ceremony. When participating in the festival part, engage in folk games and interact with local people with an open and friendly spirit.

Combine visits to famous tourist destinations in Thanh Hoa: After attending the festival, visitors can visit attractive destinations such as Tu Thuc Cave, Ba Trieu Temple, Thai Mieu of the Later Le Dynasty,... If you have the opportunity to visit Thanh Hoa in the coming years, visitors will also have the chance to visit and worship at the Huyen Tich Am Tien spiritual tourist area. This project is being invested in and built on a large scale, aiming to become a typical cultural and spiritual destination of Thanh Hoa, contributing to honoring historical and religious values and expanding the tourism space of this rich land.

Huyen Tich Am Tien promises to become a spiritual tourist destination attracting visitors in the future. (Source: Compilation)

The Hau Loc Fish Praying Festival is not only an occasion to remember ancestors and thank the sea god, but also a major cultural festival, reflecting the spiritual life of Thanh's fishermen. Amidst the resounding drums and the rhythm of the waves, people send their faith, hope, and gratitude to the sea, which has nurtured their lives and souls for generations. If you want to immerse yourself in that sacred and exciting atmosphere, come to the Hau Loc Fish Praying Festival to fully experience the resilient, benevolent spirit and pride of the people of Thanh Hoa's coastal region.