Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival

Lễ hội Nghinh Ông Vũng Tàu

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MusicVung Tau
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsWith origins dating to 1817, the festival is
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VND
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival in Vung Tau

Nghinh Ong Thang Tam Festival in Vung Tau, first organized in 1817, is held in mid-August by the lunar calendar at Thang Tam communal house, honoring Ca Ong (the whale) with a sea procession, effigy transport, and a long slate of folk games along the beach.

Since 1817, the coastal city of Vung Tau has marked mid-August of the lunar calendar with Nghinh Ong Thang Tam, a festival ranked among the fifteen largest folk festivals officially recognized in Vietnam.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

With origins dating to 1817, the festival is recognized as one of the fifteen biggest folk festivals in Vietnam, giving it standing well above most local temple observances

02

The mystery stays covered

The centerpiece procession transports paper-mâché whale effigies, each roughly 10 meters long, from Bai Truoc Beach to the Nam Hai Whale Mausoleum, escorted by village elders and a fleet of decorated boats carrying the Whale God's spiritual essence from Nghinh Phong Cape to the communal house

03

The city starts moving

Beyond the sea rites, the festival includes an unusually broad slate of folk games, including duck chasing and crab catching alongside more common wrestling and tug-of-war, reflecting its coastal, fishing-community roots

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

is regarded in Vung Tau fishing communities as a deity who helps sailors survive hazards at sea

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and the festival exists to express gratitude for protection and pray for favorable weather and a prosperous catch

The sacred route

Living ritual

The transport of large paper-mâché whale effigies and the boat procession carrying the Whale God's spiritual essence are specific ritual reenactments of this protective relationship

The local code

Living ritual

distinct from purely symbolic temple worship

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival, plan transport around the exact Vung Tau venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suited to Vung Tau's hot coastal August climate; comfortable footwear for beach and communal house grounds.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival, stay near the part of Vung Tau you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

VND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map10.35 N, 107.08 EOpen in Google Maps

Vung Tau, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam

Nearest airportLTH — Long Thanh International Airport (Under Construction)
TransportFor Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival, plan transport around the exact Vung Tau venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival, stay near the part of Vung Tau you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Vung Tau via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Vung Tau, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing suited to Vung Tau's hot coastal August climate; comfortable footwear for beach and communal house grounds.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Vietnam and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival?

Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival is listed for August. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Nghinh Ong Vung Tau Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Vung Tau, Vietnam. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Vung Tau, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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