![Nghinh Ong Festival](https://images.rove.me/w_1920,q_85/vehrsh1jdhdw6ruiq25p/vietnam-nghinh-ong-festival.jpg)
![Nghinh Ong Festival](https://images.rove.me/w_1920,q_85/qnlen4mye1ebqsdnmyfp/vietnam-nghinh-ong-festival.jpg)
![Nghinh Ong Festival](https://images.rove.me/w_1920,q_85/vfengioqqyh7fyyjrc8e/vietnam-nghinh-ong-festival.jpg)
© An Nguyen
The festival is held in Ba Ria of Vung Tao Province to worship the Whale, a savior and a guardian of waters. It starts off with the traditional ritual of sailing boats getting decorated colorfully with flags and banners. With sounds of drums and gongs and trumpets various games and competitions start. This festival is believed to be essential to start a good and productive fishing season. It usually takes place on the 16th of August in the Lunar Calendar in Ba Ria, and also on other dates in the nearby provinces.