In Van Don special zone, on February 28, the Cau Ngu Festival was held with incense offering rituals at Ly Anh Tong Temple, then carrying the ceremony to Cai Rong Fishing Port to perform sea worship rituals, praying for peace, and releasing creatures.
At the end of the ceremony, a series of fishing boats simultaneously set sail in the sound of drums, officially opening a new seafood exploitation season.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nhan, a member of the Van Don Fisheries Union, said: "Some ships in the union have gone to sea since the 4th day of Tet, today returning to shore, the crew members are very excited because the weather is favorable and there is a lot of fish and shrimp. Especially during today's fishing prayer ceremony, 9 ships in the union left the port, all of which are offshore fishing vessels".
In the Co To special zone, from March 2-3 (ie January 14-15 of the lunar calendar), the Opening of the Sea Festival 2026 will take place.
This is a traditional cultural activity of Thanh Lan island residents, expressing gratitude to ancestors, praying for a year of favorable weather, fishermen going to sea peacefully, and a prosperous life.
In the mountainous area, on February 28, Quang Tan commune organized the Cau Mua Festival of the San Chi people.
The festival includes traditional offering rituals such as five-color sticky rice, chicken, leaf wine..., praying to gods and ancestors for good harvests.
The festival part took place sôi nổi with folk games: spinning, pushing sticks, throwing con, tug-of-war, playing trumpets and cultural exchange.
The fortune-telling ceremony of the San Chi people is held twice a year, at the beginning of spring and in July of the lunar calendar. Not only has spiritual significance, this is also an opportunity for the community to connect and pass on customs to the younger generation.
Next, on March 1st (ie, the 13th day of the first lunar month), the Dong Dinh Festival will take place in Tien Yen commune with the Long Tong ritual (Going to the Field Festival) of the Tay people, opening a new agricultural production season.
After the Kitchen God worshiping ceremony, the village tutelary god prays for favorable weather, and the tịch điền ritual is performed.
The plowing roads at the beginning of the year are undertaken by local leaders or reputable people; then, people dig holes, sow seeds, and plant rice at the beginning of spring.
According to Doctor of Culture Nguyen Thi Thuy Anh (Hai Phong), the festivals of praying for harvests, praying for fish, opening sea gates or Long Tong in Quang Ninh all reflect the close relationship between humans and nature.
Agricultural and marine residents depend heavily on natural factors and weather. The New Year's crop and fishing festival is not only for good luck but also helps the community re-establish harmonious relationships with heaven, earth, nature, sea, mountains and forests, creating confidence to enter a new production cycle.
In the current context, traditional festivals also contribute to preserving intangible cultural heritage, and at the same time become a resource for tourism development if organized methodically, associated with livelihoods and local identity.
