Whale Shrine

The worship of Cá Ông (the whale) is a unique spiritual tradition among Vietnam’s coastal communities, especially common in the Central and Southern regions. According to folklore, whales are sacred beings who help fishermen weather storms and rescue those in distress at sea. Therefore, when a whale’s body washes ashore, locals hold a solemn funeral and inter the remains in a *Lăng Ông* (Whale Mausoleum) to show gratitude and reverence.
The origin of this belief is tied to sea‑god worship and animistic traditions in indigenous culture. During the Nguyễn dynasty, the court officially recognized whale worship as a legitimate folk belief and bestowed the title “Nam Hải Cự Tộc Ngọc Lân Thượng Đẳng Thần” (Exalted Spirit of the Great Clan of the Southern Sea) upon the species.
The annual *Nghinh Ông* Festival, held in fishing villages such as Cần Giờ (HCMC), Vũng Tàu, Bình Thuận and Bạc Liêu, is an occasion for fishermen to pray for gentle seas, national peace and plentiful catches. Beyond folk belief, whale worship reflects the enduring bond between people and the sea, as well as the solidarity and humanitarian spirit of Vietnam’s fishing communities through the centuries\.