50 billion dong whale deity statue completed in Vung Tau's Bai Sau

The red copper whale (Ca Ong) symbol, standing 8,8 meters tall and weighing nearly 50 tons, now features water spray and lighting systems at Bai Sau, marking a new landmark on Thuy Van street.

After over two months of construction, the landmark at Cot Co Square, located near the intersection of Hoang Hoa Tham street in Vung Tau, is now open to residents and tourists.

In coastal folk beliefs, Ca Ong is revered as a guardian deity, protecting fishermen from rough seas and storms. When a whale washes ashore, fishermen traditionally organize burials and worship ceremonies to show their reverence. Many coastal communities nationwide still preserve large whale skeletons, with a historical whale skeleton over 150 years old specifically housed at Dinh Thang Tam in Vung Tau.

The statue represents an investment of over 50 billion dong and is part of the larger Thuy Van street urban embellishment project, which had a total budget of nearly 1,100 billion dong and was inaugurated late last year.

The statue is cast from red copper, 20 mm thick, and stands on a stone base in the center of a pond. It is complemented by an artistic water spray and lighting system. The project's lifespan is estimated to be 100 years.

The Ca Ong statue is fully installed. Photo: Truong Ha.

The crafting of the statue took place in Ninh Binh, beginning with a full-scale clay model, followed by the creation of a composite mold for copper casting. Its internal framework uses stainless steel to enhance structural integrity and resist corrosion in the marine environment. Due to its substantial size, the statue was divided into 7 blocks for fabrication, then transported by oversized vehicles to Vung Tau for assembly.