A festival celebrating the avocado season was held in Dak R’Moan commune of the Central Highlands of Dak Nong on July 18.

Local resident and foreign visitor drink alcohol together at the avocado festival

The event is a re-enactment of a harvest festival of the M’Nong ethnic group, part of a programme themed “Dak Nong: Ripe Avocado Season” to promote avocados, a specialty fruit of the province. 

It saw the participation of representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on a working trip in Dak Nong, tourists and local residents.

A welcome ceremony for guests was held before the praying ritual began. The female host and visitors sang together while other family members played the gong and danced to welcome guests.

Offerings included the province’s specialties that are in season, namely avocado, rice and corn. The head of the ritual prayed to invite deities and ancestors to the festival and ask for good health and bumpy crops.

Elder Y Jong, 84, in Dak R’Moan village said the festival is the largest celebration during harvest time when local people show their gratitude to farm produce.

Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh said the avocado has become Dak Nong’s staple, which serves as a stable source of income for local residents.

Dak Nong is one of the provinces with the biggest avocado farming areas and output in Vietnam. It is home to nearly 2,600ha of avocado trees, accounting for some 20 percent of local fruit cultivating area, with average output of 10-15 tonnes per hectare.  

With its terrain, climate, and soil conditions different from those of other provinces, Dak Nong is able to plant many avocado varieties bearing fruit from January to November. Local avocados are also preferred by domestic and foreign consumers thanks to their larger size, appealing appearance and rich nutrition.-VNA