Running from October 30 to November 8, the event offered a diverse range of experiences, from wild sunflower fields on Chư Đang Ya Volcano to traditional gong performances, ethnic cultural exchanges and exhibitions showcasing the region's tangible and intangible heritage.
The main gong festival, held from November 6 to 8, highlighted the richness and diversity of gong culture among ethnic communities from Gia Lai and other provinces.
Among the participants was artisan Đinh Văn Ngom from Kông Chro commune, who introduced Bahnar traditions through gong performances, brocade weaving and basketry.
Wearing traditional brocade clothing and a feathered headdress, he expressed his hope that the festival would become a regular event to help preserve ethnic cultural identity.
“I hope the festival will be held regularly to help preserve our cultural identity,” he said.
Artisan Ka Thị Ngọc Hương from Đồng Nai City brought the culture of the Mạ people from Tà Lài village, near Cát Tiên National Park, to the event. She said it was the first time her small village had participated in such a large-scale festival.
The Đồng Nai artisan troupe introduced visitors to the distinctive white brocade costumes of the Mạ people and a traditional set of six gongs, highlighting the diversity of ethnic cultural expressions.
At the “Gong Night” art program held at Đại Đoàn Kết Square in Pleiku ward on November 7, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phạm Anh Tuấn underscored the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage and honoring generations of artisans and communities who have preserved traditional values.
He stressed that cultural preservation should not mean keeping traditions unchanged, but ensuring they remain part of community life and continue to develop.
The province plans to strengthen research, documentation and digitization of endangered cultural heritage, support artisans in passing their skills to younger generations, and protect cultural spaces connected to livelihoods and daily activities.
Phạm Anh Tuấn said the effectiveness of preservation should be measured not only by the scale of festivals, but also by the number of traditional gong pieces retained, artisans who have successors, and young people who continue to take pride in their ancestral culture.
Beyond traditional performances and cultural exchanges, the festival also promoted contemporary music, specialty coffee, local cuisine and tourism.
From November 6 to 8, visitors to Anh Hùng Núp Street in Pleiku ward could watch specialty coffee roasting and brewing demonstrations and sample coffee prepared using different processing methods.
The event also featured OCOP products and a wide selection of regional specialties from Gia Lai and other parts of Vietnam.
Dishes included grilled chicken with bamboo rice, ocean tuna sashimi, tuna noodle soup, Kon Tum leaf salad, Mekong Delta fermented noodle soup, Hue beef noodle soup, Hai Phong squid cakes and Thanh Hoa fermented pork rolls.
The festival concluded on the evening of November 8 with the “Pleiku ơi” music exchange program, drawing thousands of spectators, particularly young people, to an energetic celebration in the mountain town.
For visitors, the event offered an opportunity to reconnect with local traditions and explore the cultural diversity of Gia Lai.
Nguyễn Tiến Việt, who was born and raised in Gia Lai but now lives in Da Nang, returned to his hometown for the festival.
He said the occasion helped him better understand the cultural integration in Gia Lai following the merger and appreciate the province's tangible and intangible heritage through the “Gia Lai – Colors of Culture” exhibition.
He also welcomed the opportunity to hear gong performances again and take part in street festivities and cultural exchanges.
American visitor Eric Moore said he had spent several days in the mountain town attending events ranging from Wild Sunflower Week – Chư Đang Ya Volcano to street festivals and ethnic cultural exchanges.
He said festivals offered valuable opportunities to understand local traditions and experience cultural identities firsthand, which was why he had chosen to visit Gia Lai during the event.
