The colourful stadium of Pleiku in Gia Lai province echoed with sound from fabulous performances by 15 gong groups. 

In his speech at the ceremony, director of UNESCO's Heritage Department Gordi G. Ymgomezulu said the values of gong culture is an integral part of Vietnam's Central Highlands ethnic minority people.

The recognition of the gong culture by the biggest world cultural body proves that Vietnam possesses a diversified culture. It also makes Vietnamese people realise the need to preserve the valuable assets and pass on to the future generations, said Vietnamese Ambassador at the UNESCO Vu Duc Tam.

Gongs were first used in Vietnam in the Bronze Age (Dong Son culture from 2,000 to 3,500 years ago). Ancient gongs were sometimes cast in gold or silver, but nowadays, most are made from an alloy of copper, zinc and lead.

The gongs appear at most rituals and ceremonies, such as weddings, New Year celebrations, new rice harvests, new communal house warming parties, farewell ceremonies for soldiers and other occasions.

Ede and M'nong ethnic minorities alone have preserved 3,375 sets of gongs. Many classes to teach children how to play gongs have been opened, and over 300 teams of gong players have been set up.