Five Central Highlands provinces are Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Kon Tum.

Each evening gongs resound in Mrong Yo hamlet, Ia Ka commune, Gia Lai province. The villagers are rehearsing for the Gong Cultural Festival of the Central Highlands. The village’s gong troupe has 25 men playing gongs and 10 women dancing. The youngest member is a 10-year-old girl and the oldest is Ro Cham Nha, the 80-year-old village chief. He says it’s coffee harvest time now and the villagers are very busy. They spend about 1 hour each evening rehearsing together.

The Festival will feature many customs and rituals of the Central Highlands, along with special regional dishes.

Phan Xuan Vu, Director of the Gia Lai provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said: “Our folk festivals honor each community and its folk culture. These people are masters of the gong culture. Gong festivals have been held in each township to prepare for the provincial Festival.”

The festival expects to welcome 30,000 visitors in addition to 300 invited guests from ministries, sectors, UNESCO Vietnam, and foreign embassies and consulate generals in Vietnam.