Gia Lai showcases gong culture and scenic attractions at 2026 festival
VOV.VN - Traditional gong music, xoang dances and folk performances have brought the communal house in Ia Gri village, Gia Lai province, to life as more than 100 artisans welcomed visitors to the opening of a cultural and tourism programme celebrating the Central Highlands’ heritage and natural beauty.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on October 30, Trinh Van Sang, chairman of the People’s Committee of Bien Ho Commune, highlighted the area’s natural attractions, including Bien Ho Lake, Chu Dang Ya Volcano, green tea hills and century-old pine trees. The area is also home to Jrai ethnic people whose cultural traditions include gong performances, xoang dances and traditional festivals.
The programme is to promote local landscapes, cultural heritage and signature products while connecting artisans, communities, businesses and visitors to support sustainable tourism in the Central Highlands, he said.
Local residents and visitors have the chance to explore stalls showcasing regional specialities, agricultural products, items under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, handicrafts and goods developed by young entrepreneurs and women-led businesses.
The activities in Bien Ho form part of the 2026 Gong Festival, Wild Sunflower Week and Chu Dang Ya Volcano event, running from October 30 to November 8 in Gia Lai province. The programme combines traditional cultural performances with eco-tourism, local product showcases, coffee experiences, sports and folk games, offering visitors more ways to explore the region.
The festival aims to honour and preserve the Gong Cultural Space of the Central Highlands, recognised by UNESCO as an important element of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage, while promoting Gia Lai’s landscapes, people and cultural identity.
By bringing cultural heritage together with the seasonal bloom of wild sunflowers and the distinctive landscape of Chu Dang Ya Volcano, the event also seeks to strengthen the province’s tourism appeal and support sustainable local development.
Central Highlands Gong Festival 2026 to bring UNESCO heritage to global stage
VOV.VN - The Central Highlands Gong Festival 2026 will bring together Vietnamese and international artisans in Gia Lai province to celebrate the UNESCO-recognised Space of Gong Culture and promote cultural tourism, indigenous heritage and international cultural exchange, according to an official of Gia Lai.
