Festival honours Central Highlands’ cultural values
A kaleidoscope of activities that honour the cultural values of the Central Highlands are being held during the first culture, sports and tourism festival for ethnic groups in the region that opened in Kon Tum province on November 29.
At the opening ceremony of the first culture, sports and tourism festival for ethnic groups in the Central Highlands (Photo: VNA)
Kon Tum (VNA) – A kaleidoscope of activities that honour thecultural values of the Central Highlands are being held during the first culture,sports and tourism festival for ethnic groups in the region that opened in KonTum province on November 29.
Theevent has drawn the participation of nearly 600 artisans, actors, actresses andathletes from the five Central Highlands localities of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, DakLak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong. It is an opportunity for the ethnic groups in theregion to meet, promote cultural exchange, and share experience in thepreservation and popularisation of their cultural space and festivals.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister ofPublic Security General To Lam affirmed that the Party and State have attachedmuch importance to the comprehensive and sustainable development of the CentralHighlands, with the Politburo’s issuance of a decree on orientations to branchout the socio-economic development ensure defence-security in the region by2030 with a vision to 2045.
The Central Highlands is now home to a treasure trove of tangible andintangible cultural heritage items which hold historical values, including Ronghouse (a variation of stilt-houses unique to the Central Highlands), dai house(long house), lithophone, festivals associated with the “space of gong culture”which was recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage ofHumanity by UNESCO in 2005, he stressed.
Minister of Public Security Genral To Lam speaks at the opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Hailing the efforts from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, localauthorities, artisans, artists and ethnic people in the region to protect thecultural values, Lam expressed his hope wish that they will continue carryingout the Party and State’s policies on preserving standout cultural traits andhistorical relic sites, while harmonising economic and tourism development withcultural value preservation.
For his part, Secretary of the Kon Tum province Party Committee Duong Van Trangaffirmed that the parties, authorities and people of the Central Highlands haveabsolute confidence in the Party’s leadership in the national renewal process,adding the region will strengthen solidarity, and capitalise on all opportunitiesto build the Central Highlands with stability and fast and sustainabledevelopment.
The three-day festival features many fascinating events,including introduction of traditional festivals and rituals of the region’sethnic groups, exhibition of traditional cultural products, and competitions oftraditional games such as tug-of-war and stick pushing./.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has identified three main tasks for the development of the Tay Nguyen Central Highlands and required provinces in the region to prioritise those tasks, while addressing the first conference of the Tay Nguyen coordinating council held in Da Lat city, Lam Dong province, on September 20.
Kon Tum - Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival will be held in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum biennially from 2024, according to a decision recently approved by the provincial People's Committee.
The People’s Committee of Da Lat city plans to hold a ceremony on December 30 to celebrate 130 years of its formation and development and to receive UNESCO recognition as a creative city in the field of music.
Orientations and measures to branch out cultural and eco-tourism in the Central Highlands region in a sustainable fashion were highlighted at a workshop in Gia Lai province on November 12.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
At the opening ceremony of the first culture, sports and tourism festival for ethnic groups in the Central Highlands (Photo: VNA) 
Minister of Public Security Genral To Lam speaks at the opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA) 
