At the festival, leaders of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and representatives of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company offered incense and performed a memorial ceremony for Marines Admiral Le Van Dat - the first person to discovered and preserve the bird islands in 1328 under the Tran Dynasty. He is honored as the Captain of the Vietnam bird's nest craft.
The festival also commemorates the merits of An Dak Binh Khang porcelain master Le Van Quang and his daughter Tay Son Navy Admiral Le Thi Huyen Tram - who sacrificed their bravery in the battle to protect the bird's nest islands on the 10th day of the 5th lunar month in 1793.
Since then, the 10th day of the 5th lunar month every year has been chosen as an occasion for festivals, as a spiritual and cultural symbol of the people of Khanh Hoa.
This year's event takes place in a special context when Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival has just been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage.
This is a recognition of the historical, cultural, spiritual and profound community value of the festival, and at the same time a motivation for the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest brand to continue to reach out in the international market.
The festival is not only an occasion to show gratitude for the merits of the profession but also to demonstrate the strong connection between people and nature, between the present and the past.
Through this activity, Khanh Hoa people and the staff and workers of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company affirmed their determination to continue in the footsteps of their predecessors, preserving and promoting the quintessence of traditional crafts.
Preserving and honoring the festival also has great significance in developing sustainable tourism, creating livelihoods for coastal people, contributing to promoting local socio-economic growth.
