From the earliest time, Dong people have always lived near water. Gradually, they developed a unique affinity to creatures living in water, such as the fish. This attachment, through the years, has become so strong that one can say that they almost worship the fish. In fact, some Dong people would like to think themselves as fish in the water.

Fish, or the design of a fish, eventually became the symbol for good fortune. Designs of fish are carved or painted on buildings of Dong Villages, embroidered on to clothing items, and included in art designs and carvings.

When a new construction begins, the workers must have salted fish as their main meals. Salted fish is also served at funeral services. When the Dong people cook fish, the scales are not to be removed. Whenever fish is served at meals, that fish dish is always placed in the center of the dinner table. And when a fish is being eaten, one has to be careful not to disturb the total shape of the fish.

Besides farming the land, many Dong people also like to grow fish in their ponds. When that happens, you can be sure that the fish farmers will tend their fish with special care and devotion. That is why people say that the fish is almost treated as an ethnic totem in Dong culture.

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