Thanh Hoa’s festival recognised national intangible cultural heritageA ceremony was held in Ngu Loc commune, Hau Loc district, the central province of Thanh Hoa, on April 6 to kick off the Cau Ngu (Whale worshipping) festival and receive a certificate recognising it a national intangible cultural heritage. Procession of Long Chau boatCau Ngu festival is a unique cultural feature of coastal localities, which has been preserved and passed down through many generations. The festival in Ngu Loc commune is considered the largest of its kind not only in Thanh Hoa but also across north central localities, attracting thousands of visitors. The main ritual in the festival is a procession of Long Chau boat from Bac Tho village to a platform at the commune’s stadium, where praying will be conducted every day during the festival. On the last day of the festival, the Long Chau boat will be burned at the seaside.