The showcase, part of the “Get on Hanoi 2026” tourism programme, was jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi Department of Tourism.
Senior officials attending included Vice Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Thanh Lịch of the Gia Lai People’s Committee, leaders of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the Vietnam Tourism Association, and representatives of relevant agencies from both localities.
Following an administrative merger, Gia Lai now spans an expanded area from highlands to coastal and island zones, a shift provincial authorities say provides a broader foundation for diverse, inter-regional tourism development.
National Tourism Year 2026 to anchor Gia Lai’s promotion push
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has selected Gia Lai as host of National Tourism Year 2026, a milestone the province views as a key opportunity to showcase its culture, landscapes and products to Hanoi residents and visitors.
Vice Chairwoman Lịch said the Hanoi event not only presented Gia Lai’s tourism offerings but also enabled the public to “experience and learn about the unique culture, land, and people of Gia Lai.” Activities included coffee tasting, tuồng mask painting, and demonstrations of Central Highlands musical instruments.
“With a warm and hospitable welcome, we hope to greet visitors to Gia Lai during the National Tourism Year as well as at other upcoming events,” she said.
Ambitious visitor targets
Đỗ Thị Diệu Hạnh, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Gia Lai has set a long-term target of 18.5 million visitors by 2030, under the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term. Tourism has been designated a “spearhead economic sector,” she noted, making promotion a central priority.
For 2026 alone, the province aims to attract 15 million visitors through National Tourism Year activities.
At the Hanoi event, visitors explored products tied to Gia Lai’s cultural identity, including gong culture, Bình Định tuồng and martial arts, ethnic musical instruments, traditional handicrafts, and specialty OCOP goods, along with the province’s well-known coffees.
Businesses, visitors express optimism
Nguyễn Thị Thanh Tâm, Director of BaristaBrewingCoffe Trading and Service Co., Ltd., said coffee remains Gia Lai’s flagship product and expressed hope that the 2026 tourism year would help specialty coffees gain wider recognition and support sustainable development for local producers.
Hanoi resident Đoàn Mạnh Anh described the event as “a great opportunity” to experience Central Highlands culture, from ethnic musical instruments to OCOP goods.
Vietnam Tourism Association Chairman Vũ Thế Bình said the event effectively showcased Gia Lai’s cultural, natural and agricultural strengths in the capital. He added that the participation of tourism businesses would help expand awareness and support rapid sector growth in the province.
Message of a dynamic, welcoming Gia Lai
Organisers said “Gia Lai Day in Hanoi” highlighted the province’s tourism potential, cultural richness and readiness to welcome visitors during National Tourism Year 2026, themed “The great forest meets the blue sea.”