1. Overview of the Long Hai Dinh Co Festival

The Long Hai Dinh Co Festival is one of the prominent traditional festivals of the Southern coastal region, held annually at Dinh Co – a historical and cultural relic located at the foot of Thuy Van mountain, in Long Hai town, Long Dien district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. This is not only an important cultural and spiritual event for the local residents but also a destination that attracts tens of thousands of people from all over to pilgrimage and participate at the beginning of each new year. The festival's space blends the natural beauty of the coast with the ancient architecture of Dinh Co, creating a vibrant and sacred cultural picture.

The outstanding feature of The Long Hai Dinh Co Festival is the worship rituals that deeply embody the fishing community's beliefs – where "Co" is revered as a guardian goddess, praying for favorable weather, national peace, and a bountiful harvest. Besides traditional ceremonies such as parading the sacred tablet and the Nghinh Co (Welcoming Co) ceremony to the sea, the festival also includes folk games, artistic performances, and community activities, creating an unforgettable attraction for visitors from near and far.

Vibrant space at the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival (Source: Collected)

The cultural – spiritual values of the festival are not only reflected in the historical depth and the tradition of worshipping the sea goddess but also in the meaning of community connection, strengthening the cultural identity of the coastal region, and spreading the spirit of “praying for peace – praying for blessings” in the spiritual life of the people. This explains why the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival has become a destination attracting visitors from all directions each year – not only because of its spiritual element but also because of its unique cultural vitality, vibrant festival colors, and deep community spirit.

In recent years, the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, affirming the festival's stature, value, and endurance in Vietnam's traditional cultural treasure. This decision is not only a source of pride for the people of the coastal region of Ba Ria – Vung Tau but also creates conditions for the festival to continue to be preserved and promoted more widely to domestic and international tourists.

2. Organization Schedule of the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival

2.1. Specific time and location of the festival

The Dinh Co Long Hai Festival takes place annually for 3 days, from the 10th to the 12th of the 2nd lunar month, with the 12th of the 2nd lunar month being the main festival day with key rituals such as the procession of the long vi (ancestral tablet), the Sea Goddess Greeting ceremony, and prayers for peace and blessings. The festival is held at the Dinh Co historical site, located in Long Hai town, Long Dien district, Vung Tau, where the seascape and ancient architecture intersect, carrying profound cultural – spiritual values.

The festival is held annually in the 2nd lunar month (Source: Collected)

The initial festival days are usually a time for preparation and small rituals, while the main festival day is when the ceremonial and festive parts are vibrant, attracting many tourists and people from all directions to pilgrimage and experience. Because the festival follows the Lunar calendar, the date according to the Solar calendar changes each year, so visitors need to update the exact festival schedule before departing.

2.2. Directions to Dinh Co Long Hai

To reach Dinh Co Long Hai, visitors can depart from Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike, private car, or bus, following National Highway 1A - National Highway 51 - Provincial Road 44A to Long Hai town. The travel time is about 2.5–3 hours. If traveling from Hanoi or the Central provinces, visitors should fly to Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) or Long Thanh International Airport, then continue by car, bus, or taxi to Long Hai. From Vung Tau City, it only takes about 30–40 minutes to reach Dinh Co via the coastal road.

Visitors should note that the main festival days are very crowded, so it is advisable to arrive early for convenient participation in rituals and sightseeing. Additionally, check the updated annual Lunar–Solar calendar to avoid confusion with dates.

3. Origin, Meaning, and Unique Features of the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival

3.1. Legend and Humanistic Meaning of the Worship of Co

The Dinh Co Long Hai Festival is closely associated with the legend of the Sea Goddess – Co Long Hai, whom fishermen worship as a protective deity, safeguarding them on their stormy voyages. According to legend, Co embodies kindness, bravery, and dedication to the community, helping people overcome storms and natural disasters.

Therefore, the festival is not only an occasion for people to remember Co's merits but also carries the meaning of praying for national peace, abundant fish and shrimp, and safety for all households, especially the fishing communities who depend on the sea. The ritual of carrying the spirit tablet, offering incense, and other spiritual activities during the festival are ways to express gratitude and deep faith in the Sea Goddess's protection, while also reminding future generations to preserve traditional folk beliefs and ethics.

3.2. Cultural and Spiritual Values Preserved Through Generations

The Dinh Co Long Hai Festival not only holds spiritual value but also serves as a symbol of the traditional culture of the Southern Vietnamese coastal region, preserved through generations. From community bonding, solemn ritual organization, to teaching the art of 'hat ba trao' – a distinctive folk music genre of fishermen, the festival has become a bridge between the past and the present.

The Dinh Co Long Hai Festival has been preserved through many generations (Source: Collected)

The customs, rituals, folk games, ceremonies of parading the dragon tablet, or worshipping Cô all reflect how people preserve and spread cultural values, while creating the unique characteristics of the Long Hai coastal region. The combination of the belief in worshipping Cô and folk cultural activities makes the festival a spiritual and educational experience, attracting tourists to learn, explore, and participate.

4. Scale and Attraction of the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival

4.1. Scale of Festival Organization

The Dinh Co Long Hai Festival is organized on a grand scale, lasting for 3 consecutive days, with thousands of local people and tourists from all over flocking to attend. The Dinh Co area is brilliantly decorated with flags, banners, altars, and traditional music ensembles, creating a solemn yet vibrant atmosphere.

Ritual of carrying the dragon tablet at the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival (Source: Collected)

During the festival, there are key rituals such as carrying the dragon tablet, the ceremony of welcoming Cô to the sea, and offering incense for peace, all meticulously prepared months in advance. The organizing committee closely coordinates with folk artisans, local art troupes, and volunteer forces, ensuring all rituals proceed in the correct order, both solemn and vibrant with festival colors. The scale of the festival part is also very impressive with folk games, boat racing on the sea, Bả Trạo singing performances, lion dances, and street art performances, making the festival not only a spiritual event but also a unique cultural festival.

4.2. Attraction to visitors from all directions

The attraction of the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival comes from the combination of spiritual, cultural, and tourism experiences. Visitors attending the festival not only admire the solemn rituals but also experience the procession of the dragon tablet by boat to the sea, where hundreds of brightly decorated boats create a unique and impressive scene.

A large number of tourists watch the Long Hai Dinh Co Festival (Source: Collected)

The art of hat bao trạo along with folk games such as human chess, tug-of-war, and ngo boat racing offer a vibrant cultural experience. Additionally, the festival allows tourists to learn about the lives of fishermen, visit handicraft stalls, enjoy local cuisine, and participate in community activities, creating a sense of integration and closeness with Long Hai culture.

4.3. Contributions to local tourism and cultural development

The Long Hai Dinh Co Festival is not only a cultural and spiritual event but also a lever for local tourism development. Each festival occasion, thousands of domestic and international tourists flock to the area, contributing to increased revenue for accommodation services, restaurants, transportation, and traditional handicraft products.

At the same time, the festival helps preserve and teach intangible cultural values, such as hat bao trạo, the ritual of carrying the long vi (ancestral tablet), and folk customs, to the younger generation and the community. The annual maintenance of the festival has created a unique cultural brand for Long Hai, raising awareness of heritage values, and simultaneously creating promotional opportunities.

5. Components of the Long Hai Dinh Co Festival

5.1. The Ceremony – Traditional Rituals

The ceremonial part of The Long Hai Dinh Co Festival is the spiritual core of the event, solemnly held at Dinh Co with traditional rites such as incense offering, carrying the long vi, the Nghinh Co (welcoming the Goddess) ceremony to the sea, and praying for national peace and prosperity. This is an occasion for the community to express their reverence to the Sea Goddess – Co Long Hai, praying for favorable weather, abundant fish and shrimp catches, and peace for the fishermen.

The ceremony part of the festival is solemnly performed at Dinh Co (Source: Collected)

Each ritual is meticulously prepared, from decorating the altar, preparing offerings, arranging the procession team to the rituals of lion dance, drumming, and traditional horn playing. The solemnity combined with the sounds of drums, gongs, cymbals, and incense creates a sacred atmosphere, making visitors attending clearly feel the spiritual values and community spirit of the festival.

5.2. The festival part – Folk games and arts

The festival part of the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival takes place concurrently with the ceremony part, offering a vibrant space for entertainment and cultural experiences for attendees. Visitors can enjoy 'hat ba trao' (boat rowing songs) art, lion dance, traditional martial arts performances, or participate in folk games on land and at sea such as tug-of-war, human chess, and traditional boat racing.

Skillful lion dance performance at the festival's celebration part (Source: Collected)

These activities not only entertain but also help preserve and spread intangible cultural values, creating opportunities for tourists to interact, immerse themselves in local community life, and experience the unique beauty of the Long Hai coastal region.

5.3. Sea Procession and Ceremony

One of the most significant highlights of the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival is the procession of Co to the sea, where hundreds of brightly decorated boats carry the sacred effigy out to sea. This activity combines fishing prayers, onboard singing and dancing, and light performances, creating a spectacular scene that is both sacred and captivating for tourists. This is a unique experience only found at festivals in Long Hai, reflecting the connection between the worship of Co and the lives of coastal fishermen, and serving as an occasion for locals and tourists alike to immerse themselves in nature and local culture.

5.4. Auxiliary Activities and Community Experiences

Besides the main ceremonies and festivities, the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival also features numerous auxiliary activities such as local food stalls, handicraft exhibitions, traditional games for children, and street art performances. These activities provide tourists with a comprehensive experience, allowing them to learn about the culture, savor local specialties, and participate in community games. This is also a way for the festival to maintain community cohesion, pass down traditional cultural values, and leave a lasting impression on visitors.

6. Tips for Attending the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival

6.1. Choosing the Ideal Time to Attend

To fully experience the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival, visitors should attend on the main festival day (the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month), when key rituals such as the procession of the sacred effigy to the sea, and prayers for peace and blessings take place. If you wish to attend the festival while avoiding large crowds, you can visit on the 10th-11th of the lunar month to explore the Dinh Co area, participate in traditional games, and experience the initial festival atmosphere. As the festival follows the lunar calendar, the Gregorian date changes annually, so visitors should check in advance to plan their itinerary accordingly.

6.2. Accommodation and Rest Near the Festival

The Long Hai area offers a wide range of accommodation options, from seaside hotels and resorts to budget guesthouses, making it easy for visitors to attend the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival. It is advisable to book rooms 2-3 weeks in advance, especially during the festival period, due to high visitor numbers and increased room rates. If you wish for a closer experience to the sea and the festival atmosphere, consider homestays or hotels near Dinh Co for convenient travel and to enjoy the coastal ambiance.

6.3. Preparing Attire and Essential Items

Visitors should wear light, comfortable, and modest clothing when attending the ceremonies. Additionally, prepare comfortable sports shoes or sandals for walking on the beach and around the Dinh Co area. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, drinking water, and a camera to ensure your health, take souvenir photos, and fully enjoy the festival activities. If participating in the boat procession, adhere to safety instructions from the organizing committee.

6.4. Engaging in Cultural Experiences and Festivities

Don't miss the festive activities such as Hat Ba Trao (traditional folk singing), traditional games, boat races, lion dance performances, and street art. These are ways to fully enjoy the Dinh Co Long Hai Festival beyond the solemn rituals. Visitors can participate directly or observe to gain a deeper understanding of the customs, the life of fishermen, and to savor local food and handicraft stalls. Engaging in the festivities makes the festival experience more lively, enjoyable, and culturally rich.

Tam Thang Tower stands out with its brilliant lighting system right in the central area (Source: Collected)

Vung Tau tourism, besides attending the Long Hai Dinh Co Festival, visitors can also explore many other famous attractions such as Bai Sau – Bai Truoc to enjoy the blue sea and white sand, Christ the King Statue Vung Tau and the Lighthouse to admire the panoramic view of the city, or visit Tam Thang Square – an ideal check-in spot, and Suoi Dau Eco-tourism Area to experience the lush green nature. These destinations make the trip rich in culture, close to nature, and local life.