The Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

The Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands of Vietnam was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 25, 2005. The space of Gong culture spreads in the Central Highlands provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong

The Central Highlands Gong Festival in Vietnam will open on November 21 in Dak Lak province with a wonderful combination of Gongs and classical instruments in a symphonic performance, which is known as a mixture between Original and Academic music.

As part of the festival, an original space will be set up at the Ban Don cultural-ecological tourist site, 50 kilometers from Buon Ma Thuot city centre as venue for cultural and art programs including folk art performances and elephant racing shows.

An exhibition on wooden sculpture will also be opened on November 24, 2007. The exhibition is the result of a creative camp which was launched from November 1, gathering many talented craftsmen from various ethnic groups like the Ede, Jrai, Bahnar, Sedang and Catu.

The four day Central Highlands Gong Culture Festival in Vietnam will have the participation of nearly 30 art gong troupes and thousands of artists and musicians from all parts of the country who will not only perform in the museums but also dance with local residents in a well-prepared ‘Rhythm of Central Highlands’ street show.

Vietnam Central Highlands Gong Culture Festival, the program will take place on November 22 and 23 in four places, including the City Square, Phu Dong Park, Sports and Cultural Centre and the University of Central Highlands. “Rhythm of the Central Highlands” consists of typical activities describing daily life of highlanders like knitting, weaving, popular games and other activities. A music show, a fashion show of different ethnic groups in Vietnam and elephant parade are also included in the event.

During the festival, there will be a seminar on Gong culture which will provide a chance for concerned people to discuss ways to preserve this cultural value.

The 2007 Central Highland Gong Culture Festival in Vietnam is organized to honor and spread the value of Gong Culture following UNESCO recognition as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and also calls upon the whole community to preserve and expand these cultural values of the highlanders.