Hoang Sa Flotilla Ritual – A sacred maritime heritage of Vietnam

The festival is held at An Hai communal house of the Ly Son special administrative zone to honour the soldiers of the past while fostering a shared sense of responsibility for safeguarding Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.

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More than just a traditional ritual, this event embodies centuries of history, spirituality, and the enduring connection between Vietnamese people and the sea.

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Dating back to the 17th century, the ceremony honours the Hoang Sa flotilla –groups of fishermen-soldiers who were sent by Vietnamese feudal dynasties to the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) islands. Their mission was both economic and strategic: to harvest marine resources and to assert national sovereignty over these distant archipelagos.

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Many of these men never returned, lost to storms and the vast ocean. The festival was created to commemorate their sacrifice and to pray for the safety of those who continue to make their living at sea.

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The ritual is typically held in the second or third lunar month, drawing both locals and visitors to the island. Preparations are carried out with great care and respect.

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Families believed to be descendants of the original sailors play an important role in the ceremonies, preserving traditions passed down through generations.

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One of the most distinctive features of the festival is the “substitute ritual.” Villagers craft small wooden or paper effigies to symbolically stand in for the soldiers.

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These figures are placed on miniature boats made from banana trunks, complete with sails, flags, and offerings. The boats are then released into the sea, representing the historic voyages of the Hoang Sa sailors and serving as a spiritual gesture to guide and protect them.

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The ceremony also includes solemn offerings, traditional music, and recitations that recount the bravery of the sailors. Incense fills the air as elders perform rites in the communal house, creating a powerful atmosphere of reverence and remembrance.

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Beyond its spiritual meaning, the festival carries profound cultural and historical significance. It is a living testament to Vietnam’s long-standing maritime traditions and its historical presence in the East Sea.

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In 2013, the festival was officially recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its importance not only to local communities but to the nation as a whole.

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For visitors, attending the ritual offers a rare opportunity to experience a tradition that blends history, ritual, and identity.

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It is not a spectacle in the conventional sense, but rather a heartfelt expression of gratitude, resilience, and respect for those who braved the sea in the name of their homeland.

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In a rapidly modernising world, this festival remains a powerful reminder of the past - and a bridge connecting generations through shared memory and cultural pride.