Nghinh Ong festival in Saigon

Fostering religious belief and cultural connection

As previously introduced in my ‘Gods of the Sea’ story, the Nghinh Ông festival stands as a religious belief of coastal residents and an intangible cultural heritage of the Lantern festival, marking the end of Lunar New Year celebration in Chợ Lớn, Saigon’s chinese district.

An assurance of faith

On the morning of February 22nd, 2024, Nghia An assembly hall held a parade of nearly 800 participants whose all prayers go for a new year of calm sea, lucky harvest and prosperous country. The parade went through the main roads of Chợ Lớn, receiving the admiration of local residents and the respect of worshippers.

With every step of the parade, a piece of the crowd's wishes is carried forward. Passing by six other Chinese assembly halls in District 5 before returning to its initial starting point, Nghia An assembly hall, the parade aims to transform all prayers into reality and leave worshippers with the belief that every wish has been acknowledged.

An intercultural bond

More than just a cultural festival, the celebration also fosters cultural connection between Vietnamese and Chinese people living in Vietnam. Through each temple and Chinese assembly hall that the parade passes is a well-connected and lifelong lasting community solidarity between two cultures.

The Nghia An assembly hall itself embodies the creation of Chaozhou and Hakka communities who migrated to Vietnam and built the structure in the early 19th century. Ever since then, this folk culture is celebrated annually by the two communities to preserve the longstanding cultural practice and satisfy the expectations of the locals.

Come experience this local culture firsthand by joining my Down in Chinatown photo tour, immersing yourself in traditions and daily life, and capturing unique fragments of Saigon along the way.