The Song Doc Festival in Ca Mau

The Song Doc Festival, commonly known among the locals as the Nghinh Ong Festival, is considered the largest traditional festival in Ca Mau. This annual event traces its origins to the Cham people before evolving into a celebration embraced by the Viet (Kinh) community. Since its inception, the festival has been closely tied to the local belief in Ca Ong (the god of fishes) and is celebrated at the Ca Ong Temple located in Song Doc Town.

Song Doc Festival

Like many traditional celebrations in Vietnam, the timeline of the Song Doc Festival adheres strictly to the lunar calendar. The festival spans three days: the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of the second month of the lunar year. While the 14th day is designated for preparations, the festivities officially commence on the 15th day, with all preparations expected to be complete by the morning of that day. The ceremonial activities begin at 2 PM, led by the head and committee of the festival inside the temple. Eight students, typically daughters of families from Song Doc Town, carry offerings from local households into the ceremonial hall. Following the worship, the festival features performances by a drum team, flag team, and dance team as they parade from the main hall to the town's grand yard, accompanied by spirited local residents. A captivating sight, numerous fishermen's boats elaborately decorated with ornaments await in the harbor.

In addition to its cultural significance, the Song Doc Festival also serves as a Cau Ngu festival—a time when wishes for favorable ocean weather and good fortune for fishermen are fervently expressed. In recent years, the festival has grown significantly, attracting thousands of visitors from both within and outside the province, making it a vibrant celebration that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Ca Mau.