The Whale Worship Festival is a sacred and meaningful ceremony to honor the Whale God, deeply respected by coastal fishermen from Quang Binh to the southern provinces, including Phu Quoc. It is a spiritual occasion to pray for calm seas, favorable weather, and abundant harvests. The belief in worshiping the Whale God has long been part of the spiritual life of fishermen., Whales have long been part of the cultural and spiritual life of fishermen. The belief in whale worship comes from the belief that whales are the saviors when they fish far from shore and face harsh challenges such as hurricanes or storms at sea.

Historically, the festival originates from the Cham people's whale worship, which later integrated into Vietnamese and Chinese cultural traditions, becoming a significant belief for coastal communities. This is a custom for coastal people to remember and worship the sacred 'Lord Whale', a god who, according to local people, has always sheltered and protected them every time they go out to sea.
Therefore, the meaning of Whale Festival is to pray for calm seas and favorable weather so that every offshore fishing trip of fishermen will be successful with full catches of fish, return to the mainland safely and smoothly, and at the same time bring much joy, luck, and a peaceful and happy life.

The Whale Worship Festival involves many solemn rituals throughout the event days. These include a ceremonial procession, whale offering rites, and celebratory gatherings. The procession is a grand reenactment of the Whale General embarking on a dragon boat to sea, with locals preparing offerings along the route and dozens of colorfully decorated boats following in reverence. Upon return, lion and dragon dance troupes await to welcome the deity back to the shrine.ông Thuỷ Tướng (nếu có tại địa phương). Ngay tại bến, các đội múa lân, sư tử và rồng sẽ đợi sẵn để chào đón ông về lăng.

Typically, the Whale Worship Festival consists of two main parts: the procession and the whale offering ceremony. The offering includes prayer rituals and traditional opera performances at the Whale Temple. In the days leading up to the event, fishing boats are decorated and docked in anticipation. The festive spirit spreads to the homes of fishermen who host feasts and gatherings, creating a vibrant celebration that preserves the community’s cultural identity.