This river is one of the largest in Bình Thuận Province.
The river currently making headlines in Vietnam is the Ca Ty River in Phan Thiet City, Bình Thuận. On April 6, 2024, a resident from Bac Lieu named Huynh Phu Tan (living in Long Dien Commune, Long Hai District, Bac Lieu) submitted a petition to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bình Thuận Province to exploit a treasure of approximately 3 tons of gold buried by the Japanese beneath the Ca Ty River.
In his petition, Mr. Tan wrote: “My ancestors discovered that the Japanese army buried around 3 tons of gold and valuable items under the Ca Ty River. Due to the long passage of time, the documents and images are no longer available. It has only been passed down to me, and now I know the location.” – reported by Thanh Nien.
After receiving Mr. Huynh Phu Tan’s petition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bình Thuận Province stated that they would review the conditions and submit them to the provincial People’s Committee for consideration and approval according to regulations.
While awaiting an official handling plan for this story, let’s take a “stroll” along the Ca Ty River to understand why this river is a tranquil waterway for the fishermen of Phan Thiet.
1. The River Has a New Name
Flowing through the center of Phan Thiet City like a gentle green silk ribbon is the Ca Ty River, which was previously known as the Muong Man River.
The exact origin of the name Ca Ty is unknown, but this river holds many mysteries that intrigue the locals.
Ca Ty River at night.
For instance, while the water flowing in most rivers is fresh, the water in the Ca Ty River is brackish, sometimes even salty like the sea.
Moreover, whenever it rains upstream, the fish and shrimp in the river seem to become “intoxicated,” sometimes floating on the surface of the water.
These peculiar phenomena have led people to exclaim: “How strange! Why is it so odd?”. Over time, “How strange!” was reversed to become “Ca Ty.”
2. One of the Largest Rivers in Bình Thuận Province
The Ca Ty River originates from the Ong Mountain Range, which is over 1,300 meters high. This river is formed by the confluence of two main rivers, the Ta Da River and the Mong River.
As it flows through Muong Man Commune (Hàm Thuận Nam District, Bình Thuận), the Ca Ty River turns southeast, passing through the center of Phan Thiet City before flowing a few more kilometers into the sea at Con Cha (Phan Thiet Bay).
Ca Ty is one of the largest rivers in Bình Thuận Province. The river is 65 kilometers long, with a catchment area of up to 754 square kilometers.
Currently, the Ca Ty River plays a crucial role not only in providing water for daily living and agricultural production but also as a tourist attraction in the province.
For the residents of Phan Thiet City, the tranquil Ca Ty River is their major “cooling river,” alleviating the heat of South Central Vietnam each summer.
3. A River with 300 Years of History
In the memories and hearts of the people of Phan Thiet specifically and Bình Thuận generally, the Ca Ty River is a place of peaceful and beautiful childhood for many generations.
This is an image of the Ca Ty River from the 1990s, taken by photographer Nguyen Huu Thanh. (Source: Phanthietvn.com).
The river is a testament to the ups and downs, the development of Phan Thiet City over 300 years of history.
Thus, the locals still cherish the cultural beauty associated with the Ca Ty River, such as the Nghe Ong Festival, traditional boat racing festival, flower lantern releasing festival, and fireworks display during the Lunar New Year.
The Nghe Ong Festival in Phan Thiet typically occurs every two years (in even-numbered years) during the late July of the lunar calendar. This festival originates from the worship culture of Quan Cong among the Chinese community in Phan Thiet, starting in 1778.
The traditional boat racing festival in Phan Thiet is deeply rooted in the coastal residents’ culture. During each traditional Tet celebration, the locals organize this unique festival to preserve their ancestral heritage and demonstrate the unity and resilience of fishermen, ready to venture out to sea for a prosperous life.
It can be said that the Ca Ty River is a place where many people “live slower” amidst the bustling, dynamic city. This seemingly contrasting combination is what attracts visitors whenever Phan Thiet is mentioned.
