Gia Lai showcases Gong culture and traditional martial arts at World Expo 2025 in Japan

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(GLO) – Gia Lai province made a striking impression at the World Expo 2025 in Sakai City, Osaka, with performances highlighting the Central Highlands’ gong culture and traditional martial arts. The showcase took place during Vietnam National Day, celebrated from September 7 to 11.

As part of the cultural program, athletes from the province’s traditional martial arts center and artisans from Gia Lai presented four performances blending heritage and modern creativity.

The martial arts musical “Hào khí Tây Sơn” (The spirit of Tay Son) featured choreographed fight sequences, dance, and music, offering international audiences a dynamic interpretation of Vietnam’s martial arts traditions.

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Mr. Kato Hirosuke, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Sakai City (seventh from left), visited and congratulated the Gia Lai traditional martial arts and gong troupe after their performances at the Vietnam National Day program. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

Coach Nguyễn Văn Cảnh, who directed the martial arts sequences, said the performance was carefully designed to combine technical precision with musical rhythm.

“The team trained rigorously and adjusted the program to balance tradition with modernity, incorporating signature weapon techniques from the land of martial arts,” he noted.

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A traditional martial arts performance by athletes from the 's traditional martial arts center. Photo: Văn hóa (Culture) Newspaper

Athlete Trần Thúy Vy, a frequent participant in cultural exchange events, described performing abroad as an honor.

“This is an opportunity to showcase the uniqueness of Binh Dinh martial arts and Vietnamese culture to the world,” she said.

The cultural delegation also presented gong and ethnic music performances, including “Central Highlands ensemble: Full moon festival night” and “prosperous village.”

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The resonant sounds of Gia Lai’s gongs and ethnic music echoed in the land of the rising sun. Photo: Văn hóa (Culture) Newspaper

Both young and senior artisans took part, with artisan Rơ Châm Tih, born in 1973 in Ia Hrung commune, delivering heartfelt performances that reflected his lifelong dedication to preserving gong culture.

Huỳnh Thị Anh Thảo, Deputy Director of Gia Lai’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized the importance of the event.

“Each performance during Vietnam National Day had its own unique character and attracted great interest from audiences in Japan,” she said. “These impressions will linger and help bring Gia Lai’s culture, and Vietnamese culture as a whole, closer to international friends.”

The Vietnam Pavilion (organized and operated by the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) is among the most popular national pavilions at World Expo 2025, welcoming over 1 million direct visitors and reaching millions more worldwide through its virtual pavilion app and social media channels.

Vietnam National Day, held on September 9 at Expo 2025, is a significant occasion to comprehensively promote the country, its people, and culture to the international community.

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