The festival, held at the Anh Hùng Núp parking lot, runs from December 30, 2025, to January 2, 2026, and aims to create a vibrant cultural and culinary space while promoting the image and signature products of Gia Lai province. In recent days, the venue has been bustling with families and young people sampling food and soaking up the festive atmosphere during the holiday break.
According to Nguyễn Ngọc Thông, a member of the Standing Committee of the Pleiku Ward Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the ward’s People’s Committee, the event features 46 booths, including 38 food stalls and eight OCOP exhibition stands. He said the layout was carefully planned to ensure urban aesthetics, food safety and convenience for visitors.
The OCOP exhibition area showcases well-known products from Gia Lai province, including bánh hồng and baked cakes from the Minh Đức establishment, macadamia nuts from Thịnh Phát Danh Trà Co., Ltd., and a range of goods from Hương Thanh Cooperative.
Đặng Thị Đức, owner of the Minh Đức bánh hồng establishment in Hoài Nhơn Bắc commune, said she brought two OCOP products—baked cassava cake and bánh hồng—to the festival. She described the event as an opportunity not only to introduce traditional Tam Quan coconut-region specialties to consumers in western Gia Lai, but also to exchange experiences with other producers and learn new approaches to product presentation.
Beyond OCOP products, the festival has become a focal point for regional cuisine. A Bahnar food booth serving bamboo-tube rice, grilled chicken and grilled pork has attracted steady crowds. Its owner, Ksor H’ HMiu, said the strong turnout had kept her team busy throughout the event and helped raise awareness of Bahnar culinary traditions.
Local residents say the festival has become a regular family destination. Nguyễn Cảnh Toàn, who attended with his wife and two children, said his family rarely misses food festivals in Pleiku Ward, noting that each event offers a different experience while allowing them to support local products and spend time together.
The lively atmosphere has also appealed to younger visitors. Puih H’ Uyên, who attended with friends, said the festival provided a chance to explore OCOP products, learn about local specialties and enjoy a wide variety of dishes in a festive setting.
Some other images from the festival:
