The traditional Nghinh Ong festival to worship the whale and celebrate local fishermen’s good catches has kicked off in suburban Can Gio district in Ho Chi Minh City and runs until September 21.

The time-honored festival also earned the recognition of the national intangible heritage on September 19.

The main procession took place at Ong Thuy Tuong Temple and Co Khi wharf on the morning of September 20. The offerings to the whale, believed by locals to be a deity who brings them blessings, and “hat bo” (traditional opera) are set for 1pm today.

The festival features an exhibit called “The sea, island and river tourism in HCMC” at Can Thanh park, and aVietnamese products market sessions on Le Thuong street.

The Mid-Autumn fest for local kids, which took place yesterday, had diverse activities such as lantern making, cuisine stalls and folk games.

Another highlight of the festival is the Chinese chess games at Can Thanh park and human chess performances at Can Gio market.

The festival also boasts other traditional art activities such as dragon and kylin dances, martial arts and “cai luong” (traditional southern music) performances, as well as floating colored lanterns on the sea held at Ong Thuy Tuong Temple, Can Gio market and Can Thanh park.

Other highlights are circus street performances, artistic kite flying and parachutes on the beaches, along with a national marathon and football on stilts matches.