(GLO) – The sounds of gongs and the Xoang dance filled the coastal city of Quy Nhon Ward from August 29 to September 1 as the Pleiku Roh gong ensemble performed at the 2025 festival “Essence of the great Highlands - Convergence of the blue sea.”
The gong ensemble from Pleiku Roh village (Dien Hong Ward) performs at the “Colors of the Sea” street festival.
The 30-member group, representing Dien Hong Ward in Gia Lai Province, prepared meticulously for the event. Instruments including drums, gongs, t’rung, klong put and goong, along with traditional costumes and masks, were readied for stage appearances.
The ensemble rehearsed classic repertoires such as: Celebrating victory and joy of the grand festival to ensure a strong impression on audiences.
Meritorious Artist and Dr. Hoàng Duẩn (far left, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Cultural and Artistic Management, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture), General Director of the “Essence of the Great Forests – Blue Seas Converge” festival, discusses performance details with members of the gong ensemble.
During the four-day festival, gong performances combined with the energetic Xoang dance captivated crowds at key events including the Coffee and Gong cultural festival, the “Colors of the sea” street parade and traditional art evenings.
Beyond stage performances, locals and tourists joined the ensemble in trying out gongs and other traditional instruments, guided by artisans. The interactive sessions added to the appeal of the performances and highlighted the cultural heritage of the Jrai ethnic community in the western part of the province.
The ensemble’s enthusiasm created lasting memories for audiences, strengthening the festival’s success and promoting the cultural identity of the Central Highlands.
Below are several images of the gong ensemble during the festival:
The Pleiku Roh village gong ensemble performing at the “Colors of the sea” street festival. Photo: Dũng Nhân Members of the Pleiku Roh gong ensemble join the parade, performing for festival-goers. The joy of Jrai young men as they perform at the “Colors of the sea” street festival. A striking performance by the Pleiku Roh gong ensemble at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square (Quy Nhon Ward). Jrai young men from Pleiku Roh village enthusiastically perform gong music for the public.
Dressed in traditional attire, Jrai women perform the graceful xoang dance. The beauty of a young Jrai woman, a member of the Pleiku Roh gong ensemble. Photo: Dũng Nhân Bram dancers add a highlight to the Pleiku Roh gong ensemble’s performance. Jrai young men showcase their stilt-walking skills. The Pleiku Roh gong ensemble performs at a traditional art program organized by the Gia Lai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ensemble’s traditional instrumental performance at the cultural arts program. Miss Tourism Ambassador Vietnam 2024 and festival media ambassador Đinh Thị Hoa (left) chats with members of the gong ensemble.
Traditional musical instruments of the Jrai people attract visitors.
(GLO) – From September 14 to 21, the first expanded ornamental creatures Exhibition and Festival 2025 will take place at Quy Nhon Square and the Provincial Convention Center (Quy Nhon Ward).
(GLO) – The Binh Dinh Branch of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) has organized a collective screening of the revolutionary film Mưa đỏ (Red Rain), produced by the People’s Army Cinema, as part of efforts to strengthen political and ideological education among its staff.
(GLO) – Authorities in Vietnam’s Central Highlands have officially adjusted the protected areas of the Plei Ơi National Historical and Cultural Site to strengthen conservation and support tourism development.
Vietnamese war epic Mưa đỏ (Red Rain), directed by Đặng Thái Huyền, has crossed the 600 billion VND (US$24 million) mark after just 20 days in theaters, setting a new benchmark in the country’s film industry.
(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.
(GLO) – According to organizers, sculptor Lê Trọng Nghĩa is the only artist from Gia Lai province selected for the upcoming international sculpture camp in Hue.
(GLO) – Photographers from Gia Lai province secured top honors at the 2025 Young Photographers Festival, with several works awarded and exhibited, underscoring the rise of a new generation of Vietnamese artists combining creativity, social awareness and technical skill.
(GLO) - The 118th death anniversary of Đào Tấn, revered scholar and founding figure of hát bội (Vietnamese classical opera), was commemorated over the weekend with solemn rituals and traditional performances in the province.
(GLO) – Vietnam marked its National Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka on Tuesday with a special art program featuring performances by artists and artisans from Gia Lai province, highlighting the country’s cultural diversity on the global stage.
(GLO) – A solemn ceremony commemorating the 118th death anniversary of the poet and tuồng (classical Vietnamese opera) playwright Đào Tấn was held on September 6 at Đào Tấn Temple in Vĩnh Thạnh 1 hamlet, Tuy Phước commune.
(GLO) – A delegation from Gia Lai Province will join Vietnam’s National Day celebrations at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, from 6-9 September, led by Nguyễn Thị Thanh Lịch, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee.
(GLO) – Võ Trí Hoàn, principal of Quang Trung Primary and Secondary School in Ia Tul commune, has spent more than three decades collecting antiques to bring the national history closer to his students.
(GLO) – Young members of the Jrai ethnic community in Vietnam’s Central Highlands are harnessing the power of social media to share stories of their traditions, daily life, and cuisine, bringing their culture closer to both domestic and international audiences.
(GLO) – Artist Hoàng Duẩn, deputy head of the faculty of cultural and artistic management at Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, serves as the chief director of the 2025 festival “The Quintessence of the great forest - convergence of the blue sea.”
(GLO) – The Central Highlands province of Gia Lai marked Vietnam’s National Day with a colorful series of events uniting highland and coastal cultures, attracting both locals and international visitors.
(GLO) – Lê Hạ Anh, born in 1995 in Gia Lai province, is the only female lead in Mưa đỏ (Red Rain), the highest-grossing revolutionary war film in the history of Vietnamese cinema.
(GLO) – Gia Lai Province inaugurated its street festival themed “Colors of the sea” on Sunday at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Quy Nhon, a highlight of the 2025 Festival of Great Highland and Blue Sea Convergence.
(GLO) – In a display of patriotism ahead of Vietnam’s 80th National Day (September 2), young musicians in Gia Lai Province have released a music video (MV) combining traditional and modern instruments to convey the message of peace.
(GLO) – A special exhibition titled “Han-Nom Heritage in Gia Lai Province” opened on Wednesday at Lê Thánh Tông High School in Ayun Pa Ward, highlighting the province’s rich collection of Han-Nom documents and artifacts.
(GLO) – Supermarkets and convenience stores across Gia Lai province are already bustling with mooncake sales, a month ahead of the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival. Shoppers are presented with a wide range of traditional and innovative flavors, reflecting both cultural heritage and modern tastes.
(GLO) – Every afternoon in Kươk village, the sound of gongs reverberates through the forests. What makes the performance remarkable is not the presence of seasoned artisans, but the determined rhythm of Bahnar children, their schoolbooks and fieldwork set aside for the music.
(GLO) – Vietnamese singer Hòa Minzy has once again reached the top of global trending charts in 2025, following the release of her latest single “Nỗi đau giữa hòa bình” (“Pain Amidst Peace”).
(GLO) – Authorities in Gia Lai province have unveiled plans to preserve and promote the historic Trường Lũy monument, following new archaeological discoveries that shed light on the scale and significance of the centuries-old fortification.
(GLO) – The photo entitled "Going to school together" ("Cùng em đến trường" in Vietnamese) by the photographer Tran Phu Toan, living in Gia Lai won a third prize at the “Smile of Vietnam” photo contest.
