VUNG TAU (VNS) — Nghinh Co Festival, one of largest water festivals of fishermen in the southern coastal region, will be held on March 10-12 at the Co Temple in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province's Long Hai Town. The event, held annually on February 10-12 of lunar calendar, honours a young girl named Le Thi Hong Thuy, who died two centuries ago.

Legends say that the girl from Ninh Thuan Province's Phan Rang City, died after falling into the sea when her boat which was travelling to the town, was hit by a storm. Local people decided to bury her on Co Son Hill and built the Co Temple nearby to honour her. Legends say that after she died, she visited people in dreams to warn them about sea conditions and disasters to protect local people.

Every year, thousands of people from the southern and south-central regions attend the festival. The event has several activities, including traditional games like lion dances, a boat race, fish and duck catching contests. — VNS