WeChoice Awards 2025 announces 21 inspirational figure nominees

The song "Thưa Đảng," composed and performed by singer Anh Tú during the "Forever faithful to the Communist Party" art program, has received a flood of praise for its meaningful lyrics, which inspire pride and patriotism.

Gia Lai Province will stage low-altitude fireworks displays at two central squares during the 2026 Lunar New Year (The Year of Horse), following approval by provincial authorities, according to an official document.

Quang Trung-Nguyễn Huệ remains a national hero of Vietnam, a status affirmed by historical records and enduring public reverence rather than modern propaganda, historians and official chronicles show.

In Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, residents in Phú Thiện and Chư A Thai have begun erecting traditional cây nêu (New Year bamboo poles) more than a month before the Lunar New Year, transforming local streets with colourful decorations and a renewed sense of optimism.

The traditional Jrai engagement ceremony has been faithfully reenacted in Ơp village, Pleiku Ward, Gia Lai Province, as part of efforts to preserve indigenous culture while developing community-based tourism that can generate livelihoods and improve local living standards.

A photographer from Gia Lai Province has won a consolation prize at the fourth Chư Yang Sin Literature and Arts Awards, held on December 29 at the Đắk Lắk Provincial Culture and Tourism Center.

The Quang Trung Museum on January 3 held a solemn memorial ceremony to honour the Tây Sơn Tam Kiệt—Nguyễn Nhạc, Nguyễn Huệ and Nguyễn Lữ—at the Tây Sơn Tam Kiệt Temple in Tây Sơn Commune.

Two artists from Gia Lai province have won consolation prizes at national-level fine arts awards in 2025, the local Fine Arts Association said on January 5.

On the evening of December 29, the Binh Dinh Bai Choi Opera Troupe staged a dress rehearsal of the Bai Choi opera “Ngọc sáng khúc gia trang”, drawing a large audience to a carefully crafted historical production that revisits Vietnam’s early struggle for autonomy through traditional theater.

The Gia Lai Literature Sub-Association on December 27 convened its first congress for the 2025-2030 term, electing a new leadership and outlining priorities to support writers and literary activities in the province.

Gia Lai will usher in 2026 with a large-scale countdown event held simultaneously in Quy Nhon and Pleiku on the night of December 31, organisers said. The programme aims to deliver an emotionally charged artistic experience marking the transition to the new year.

A memorial ceremony marking the 223rd anniversary of the death of Admiral Bùi Thị Xuân was held on December 25 at her temple in Phú Xuân quarter, Tây Sơn commune, Gia Lai province, the Quang Trung Museum said.

“Bông trang đỏ” (Red ixora), published by the Writers’ Association Publishing House in 2025, is a collection of 13 of Nguyễn Đặng Thùy Trang’s most cherished short stories, selected from her works written since 2019. 

In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Chăm H’roi artisans in Canh Thành village are working to safeguard their ancestral gong music by teaching younger generations, ensuring a cultural tradition once at risk continues to resonate in daily life.

Nearly 50 grassroots trade unions across Gia Lai province have joined a dance video contest aimed at celebrating Central Highlands culture and marking the first Gia Lai Provincial Trade Union Congress for the 2025–2030 term.

Gia Lai province secured two awards at the fifth “Living Beautifully” contest, themed The Miracle of Compassion, at a closing ceremony hosted by Thanh Niên Newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City.

Authorities in Ơp village, Pleiku ward, Gia Lai province, on Friday reenacted the traditional engagement ceremony of the Jrai ethnic group in an effort to preserve local cultural heritage while promoting community-based tourism.

Authorities in Gia Lai province are moving to grant provincial-level heritage status to the An Phu Champa Relic, a nearly 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple complex dating back to the 9th-10th centuries.

The People’s Committee of Gia Lai province has approved a plan to consolidate and reorganise public service units across multiple provincial departments, aiming to streamline the organisational structure and expand financial autonomy.

It’s time to uncork the prosecco and maybe order a plate of tagliatelle al ragù for the table. Italy has a very tasty reason to celebrate: Its national cuisine has become the first entire gastronomic style to be recognized by UNESCO, the UN’s cultural body.

Nature remains a sacred force guiding the spiritual and practical lives of Central Highlands ethnic communities, where centuries-old beliefs continue to shape farming, forest use and seasonal rituals.

Young people in Vietnam’s Gia Lai province are turning to fashion and digital tools to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Central Highlands, as modern life accelerates and traditional values risk fading.

Ngơm Thung village in Ia Bang commune, home to the Jrai ethnic community, is earning growing recognition for its intricate bamboo and rattan basketry, thanks in large part to artisan Rinh, who at 40 is among the youngest cultural guardians of this craft.

Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage Association on Tuesday held the awards ceremony for the second “Vietnamese Cultural Heritage through Painting” contest, marking the 2025 edition of the national art initiative.