The Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee has issued a plan to organize the Gia Lai International Gong Festival 2026, one of the key events of the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026.

The festival is expected to take place in Pleiku Ward, Bien Ho Commune and several neighboring communes and wards, with 45 gong artisan troupes participating. Of these, 22 will come from Gia Lai, while artisan groups from around 10 provinces and cities across Vietnam and several Asian countries will also be invited.

At Ia Gri Village in Bien Ho Commune, a market showcasing local products and an exhibition titled “Gia Lai Gong Cultural Space” will be held on October 30 and 31 and November 1.

On October 31, the village will host cultural exchanges and performances featuring traditional music and musical instruments of ethnic communities, along with a reenactment of the Jrai people’s ceremony celebrating a new communal house. Organizers will ensure that the reenactment remains faithful to traditional identity, rituals and customs, while limiting theatrical elements that could alter the nature of the ceremony.

On November 6, a street festival will unfold along several roads in Pleiku, Dien Hong and Hoi Phu wards. Artisans dressed in traditional costumes will carry gongs, musical instruments and performance props as they parade and perform live in the streets. The program will not feature model vehicles, flower floats or parade vehicles.

The centerpiece of the festival will be the International Gong Night, beginning at 8 p.m. on November 7 at Dai Doan Ket Square in Pleiku Ward.

The event is expected to be attended by representatives of central and local authorities, UNESCO representatives in Vietnam, as well as representatives from the embassies and consulates general of countries whose artisan troupes are taking part.

During the evening, Gia Lai is expected to present decisions recognizing the Ko Do gong set and the collection of gold worship objects at An Phu Cham Tower as national treasures.

From November 6 to 8, Pleiku Museum and Dai Doan Ket Square will host traditional cultural exchanges among ethnic communities. Each artisan troupe will be given a dedicated space to recreate aspects of everyday life through activities such as gong performances, gong tuning, statue carving, weaving, basketry and rice pounding.

During the same period, Dai Doan Ket Square will host the “Flavors of Gia Lai” culinary space, featuring signature dishes including ocean tuna, nem, cha, tre, crispy pancakes with jumping shrimp, bamboo-tube rice, grilled chicken, cassava leaves and bitter eggplant.

Along Anh Hung Nup Street, an exhibition area for distinctive agricultural products will feature 30-40 booths displaying OCOP products, Gia Lai coffee specialties and other agricultural products.

The festival aims to promote the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space, along with Gia Lai’s culture, people, destinations and tourism products, while strengthening cultural exchanges and connections in tourism, trade and service development.

Binh An