Gia Lai seeks national treasure status for two rare artifact collections

The 2025 national Tuồng (Vietnamese classical drama) and folk opera festival concluded in Hanoi with strong performances from the province’s traditional art troupes, reaffirming the province’s reputation as the cradle of bài chòi and hát bội.

Gia Lai province in Vietnam is taking active steps to safeguard its intangible cultural heritage through specialized training courses for local artisans.

The 2025 national Tuồng and folk opera festival wrapped up in Hanoi on November 26, awarding the silver medal to the tuồng (Vietnamese classical drama) production Nhìn lại một vương triều (Looking back at a dynasty) by the Đào Tấn tuồng troupe of the Gia Lai provincial traditional arts theatre.

Husband and wife culinary artists Phạm Lê Anh Vũ, 35, and Nguyễn Thanh Lệ, 31, from Quy Nhơn Tây Ward, have returned from a major cooking event in Ho Chi Minh City with pride after contributing to a national record.

You are truly special, with a fragility like morning dew, but inside, you're a knight, revealed a colleague who was also a classmate.

A self-taught sculptor in Hội Phú Ward, Vietnam, has built a livelihood from creating detailed cement bas-relief statues, producing commissions for cafés and kindergartens while fulfilling a lifelong passion for art.

More than 1,070 respected community figures across a Vietnamese province are playing a key role in improving infrastructure, preventing outdated customs, and preserving ethnic cultural heritage, according to local authorities.

Pleiku is experiencing its most beautiful days of the year. The days unfold gently beneath blue skies and fresh breezes. The persistent winds sweep across the highland hills and mountains, filling my heart with boundless nostalgia and affection.

Gia Lai Province’s Appraisal Council on November 22 endorsed two artifact groups for submission to national authorities for recognition as national treasures, including the An Phu gold ritual collection and the Kơ Đơ gong set of the Jrai people.

Gia Lai Province opened a major photo exhibition titled “Gia Lai land and people-New colors” on November 17 at Dai Doan Ket Square in Pleiku, featuring more than 200 works celebrating the region’s culture, landscapes and development.

After three decades devoted to shapes, curves, and silent conversations with stone, wood, and iron, sculptor Lê Trọng Nghĩa has released an art essay collection entitled "Mắt nghĩ" ("The Thinking Eye").

Gia Lai province on November 15 opened two large-scale art exhibitions, including a major retrospective marking the 100th birth anniversary of renowned Bahnar painter Xu Man.

More than 100 digital artworks were unveiled at the Meta Art4 “In Echo” exhibition, inaugurated at FPT University’s Quy Nhon campus. The event explores the theme “AI- Sustainable development - Locality,” blending traditional art with modern technology.

For the first time, the National Press Award for the cause of Vietnamese cultural development will honor a “Vietnamese inspiration” recipient, with the 2025 award going to composer Nguyễn Hùng for his song Còn Gì Đẹp Hơn (What could be more beautiful).

The Đào Tấn Tuồng troupe, under the Gia Lai provincial Traditional Arts Theatre, held its final dress rehearsal of the tuồng opera Khát vọng non sông (Aspirations of the homeland) on November 4, attracting a large audience of tuồng enthusiasts and artists.

With the theme “The Echo of the Central Highlands Gongs - Southeast Asia Convergence,” the programme will feature 12 art troupes from Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng, several northern provinces as well as art troupes from Thailand, Laos and Malaysia.

In the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, music classes, from piano and guitar to traditional Vietnamese instruments like the đàn tranh and đàn t’rưng, are enriching children’s lives and preserving the region’s cultural roots.

Gia Lai Broadcasting and Newspaper will livestream the final of the “Miss Asia Businesswoman 2025” pageant at 7:00 p.m. on October 31 from the Gia Lai Provincial Convention Center in Quy Nhon Ward.

Two young individuals from Gia Lai Province, Bùi Ngọc Thanh and Lu-Y Djoan, were among ten outstanding ethnic minority youths honored by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for their creativity, boldness, and community impact.

Eighteen contestants took the stage at the semi-final round of Miss Asia Businesswoman 2025 on October 27 at the Gia Lai provincial Convention Center in Quy Nhon Ward, showcasing beauty, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit.

In the highlands of Kim Son commune, the rhythmic sounds of gongs and traditional Bahnar instruments, such as the preng (monochord), klía (bamboo flute), and pră (two-stringed instrument), continue to echo through community gatherings and festivals, preserving centuries-old musical heritage.

The Gia Lai provincial Youth Center turned into a vibrant playground of laughter, color, and creativity as dozens of children celebrated Halloween with games, music, and a costume party designed to nurture confidence and imagination.

A growing series of art exchange programs between local schools and the provincial Traditional Arts Theater is inspiring students across Gia Lai Province to appreciate and preserve Vietnam’s cultural heritage.

The water drop worship ceremony of the Ba Na ethnic people in Gia Lai province is held to pray to the Water God (Yang Ia) for abundant water resources to serve daily life, farming and production.