Whale carcass washes ashore on Da Nang’s Nguyen Tat Thanh beach
DNO - On the evening of October 29, local residents discovered a whale carcass about three meters long washed ashore along Nguyen Tat Thanh Beach, Da Nang.
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According to initial reports, the whale was found around 9:30 p.m. The incident quickly drew attention from nearby residents, who recognized it as a significant event rooted in coastal tradition.
In Vietnamese maritime culture, whales - known as “Ca Ong” or “Lord Whale” - are revered as guardian spirits protecting fishermen at sea. When a whale dies and drifts ashore, it is customary for fishermen to gather, light incense and pay their respects.
By the morning of October 30, local authorities remained on-site, waiting for favourable weather conditions to move the whale ashore for burial according to traditional rituals.
In recent days, heavy rainfall and strong waves have battered Vietnam’s central coast. Fishermen believe the whale may have been carried inland by rough seas after dying offshore.
The sighting has once again highlighted the deep spiritual connection between coastal communities and the sea creatures they believe watch over them.