The celebrations included the street festival themed “Colors of the sea” and traditional art performances at Nguyễn Tất Thành Square and Chiến Thắng Square in Quy Nhơn.
The festival featured floats adorned with oceanic tuna and basalt coffee motifs, live bài chòi music, highland gongs, and traditional martial arts displays.
Visitors were immersed in the rhythms and colors of the region, reflecting the pride and cultural identity of Gia Lai’s ethnic communities.
Highland artisans brought unique cultural performances to the coast. R’cơm Bus, a gong artisan from Pleiku Róh village, said: “We practiced for nearly three weeks. It’s a joy to promote the beauty of Jrai mountain culture to visitors in the east of the province.”
Artisan Nguyễn Phú added: “This festival allows us to showcase bài chòi and the cultural essence of Gia Lai, helping locals and tourists better understand the diversity of our traditional arts.”
The celebrations extended to western Gia Lai, where destinations such as Diên Hồng Park and Đại Đoàn Kết Square drew large crowds for concerts, family activities, and children’s entertainment.
Many locals dressed in red shirts with yellow stars, symbolically joining the nationwide festivities.
The Pleiku Museum also attracted young visitors eager to document patriotic memories.
In the evening, the final rehearsal for the art program commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, themed “Gia Lai: Where sea and sky meet - shining essence,” drew significant crowds to Đại Đoàn Kết Square.
Performances highlighted the harmonious blend of highland and coastal traditions, offering a vivid experience of Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
International tourists also praised the festival. Alex, a U.S. visitor, said: “The colors and unique makeup of tuồng are unforgettable.
I’ll definitely return to explore more of the local culture.” Belgian tourist Inge added: “Even without understanding the lyrics, the music and rhythms captivated us and fully conveyed the festive atmosphere.”
According to Bùi Trung Hiếu, Deputy Director of Gia Lai’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the festival celebrated both local heritage and national pride, reflecting the vitality and aspirations of communities spanning the highlands to the coast.
In addition to tourist attractions, children’s entertainment complexes and cinemas across the province also drew large crowds during the holiday.