Over 300 documents, images and artifacts on the distinctive gong culture of Vietnam's Central Highlands are currently on display at an exhibition at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Dak Lak.

‘Gong Heritage in the Central Highlands Cultural Space' presents the gong culture of ethnic groups in Dak Lak in the past and today, Nhan dan newspaper reported.

It also hopes to promote the preservation of gong culture, which was recognised as a UNESCO world intangible cultural heritage in 2005.

The exhibition that opened on February 3 will run until June

Gongs have been used for more than 3,000 years in Vietnam and have played a key role in ethnic communities’ culture.

Because it is seen as a tool that helps connect them with heaven, gong culture is an inseparable part of the ethnic minority people’s spiritual life.

Gongs are played to celebrate special occasions, including house warming, the birth of a baby, weddings, ritual parades and funerals.

VNA