Gong culture heritage promoted as part of Central Highlands heritage tourism

Integrating gong culture into Central Highlands tourism programs will help local communities preserve and hand down their gong culture. The initiative is part of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountain Areas in the 2021-2030 period.

Experienced artisans will teach rituals, cultural practices, and the art of gong playing to younger generations. The students, from multiple ethnic minority groups, will learn basic, intermediate, and advanced gong-playing techniques and the ancient gong songs of the Ede people.

The program will also train students in photovoice techniques to encourage them to use photos and videos to explore their culture. Y Justin Adrông of Buon Ma Thuot city said: "Through these training courses, I’ve learned gong-playing, photography, and videography techniques. These skills are invaluable for preserving and sharing the Ede people’s cultural heritage." 

Lai Duc Dai, Deputy Director of the Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said this initiative will raise people’s awareness of their heritage, instill pride, and foster a commitment to pass the gong culture on. It will also transform the gong heritage into a tourism resource, connect communities, and create heritage tourism itineraries. Dai said the province plans to expand the initiative beyond Buon Ma Thuot city to other districts.

“We will establish multiple interconnected models and offering a series of training courses led by experts and artisans,” said Dai.

Under this program cultural officials, artisans, and students will document and promote their heritage using photography, videography, and social media. By empowering the Ede people to share their culture authentically and vividly, the program offers a fresh, effective approach to preserving Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage.