Ritual commemorates soldiers of ancient Hoang Sa Flotilla

The Festival aims to pay tribute to sailor-soldiers under the Nguyen Dynasty, who traveled to Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands, to measure sea routes and erect steles on islands, to safeguard national sovereignty over seas and islands as well as exploit natural resources and products to make offerings to the imperial court.

During the ritual, paper boats with effigies of sailors are launched into the sea and respects are paid to the lost sailors’ symbolic tombs.

The effigies of sailors and chicken offering on the paper boats

Sorcerer perform a ritual for the effigies of sailors

The paper boats being sailed into the sea

The paper boats ride on the waves in Ly Son sea

The event has been observed for hundreds of years by communities in Ly Son Island and many coastal areas in Quang Ngai.

Following a traditional offering ceremony was a boat race, which saw the participation of local people.