Phan Thiet city receives recognition certificates for its intangible cultural heritage, provincial vestiges  

Mr. Huynh Giac (left) -head of Van Thuy Tu Temple receiving certificate in recognition of national intangible cultural heritage.

According to Mr. Vo Van Thong- vice chairman of people’s committee of Phan Thiet city, the national intengible cultural heritage Cau Ngu festival and provincial vestiges of Suoi tien and Flying sand hill have brought the Party committee, government and people of Phan thiet city the honor and pride, contributing to encouraging local residents to preserve and promote specific cultural values of the coastal city, as well as intensifying promotions and communications for tourists destinations to boost the development of cultural tourism in Phan thiet city.

Van Thuy Tu temple, built  in 1762, is the worship place of Phan Thiet fishermen’s ancestors and Nam Hai Lord or Ca Ong (Lord Whale). The temple houses skeletal remains of more than 100 big whales that are over 100 years old. Besides, an array of religious ceremonies in connection with fishery, especially Cau Ngu festival, are yearly performed at the temple. Those ceremonies, which are imbued with traditional culture of the coastal region, remind people of their origin and traditional values. They believe that Nam Hai Lord always protects fishermen wihle they are fishing at sea.

The natural landscapes of Suoi Tien and Flying sand hill feature the historical values of  specific characteristics bearing geology and geomorphology in Binh Thuan in particular and the south central region in general for millions of years. The sites can serve as eco-tourism destinations, where visitors not only go sight seeing to explore their natural beauties, but also join artistic activities to relax.

According to, Mr. Vo Thanh Huy-deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture-Sports and Tourism, functional bodies in Binh Thuan and people’s committee of Phan Thiet city are focusing on reinforcing managing boards of Van Thuy Tu Temple, Suoi Tien and flying sand hill tourist sites; issuing operational regulations in accordance with Law of Cultural heritage to enhance the preservation and promote their traditional values. The department will set up plans to protects these historical vestige and landscapes towards preserving original factors relating to natural environment amd geology. At the same time, propaganda will be enhanced to promote unique characteristics of those famous landscapes as well as improve local people’s awareness of protecting national intangible heritage. The ritual Nghinh Ong Sanh, which is organized nearby the sea, will be restored along with folk games of ancient fishermen in order to boost tourists attraction.

Translated by Phuong Lan (Source: Binh Thuan online)