Traveling to Vietnam is an opportunity to experience many layers of culture and to admire historic sites that shaped the South Asian society centuries ago. Most likely, if you choose to visit Vietnam, your itinerary should not miss the unforgettable stop in the Space of Gong culture of ethnic groups in Central Highlands, a world heritage that has a lot of inspiration and fascination.

The Space of Gong culture of ethnic groups in Central Highlands

On 25^th November 2005, the cultural Space of Gong in the Central Highlands has been officially recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Gong is the ancient musical instrument including from 2 to 12 slabs and even from 18 to 20 slabs in some places. In term of history, many historians have said that the Gong culture is a diverse mix of customs and traditions, considered as the “descendant of the Lithophone and appeared about 10000 years ago. Nowadays, the Space of Gong culture in the Central Highlands spreads throughout 5 provinces of Kontum, Gia Lai, DakLak, DakNong, Lam Dong, and the master of this special culture are ethnic groups: Bana, Xo Dang, H’Mong, RoMan, E De, GiaRai…

The Central Highlands venerated their Gongs with a special creed. They believe that in each slab of Gongs contains a deity or god, who will protect their family and clan from danger and harm. Moreover, Gongs also are the symbol of power and wealth. Therefore, Gongs have a close relationship with the community’s life; they are the spiritual voice, the human soul, the sadness in life. At the festival, the image of people dance around sacred fire immersed in the Gong echoing sound, creating a romance and fanciful scenery of Central Highlands.

On the visit to Vietnam culture, a must-see event is the Gong Festival held alternately annually in the Central Highlands provinces of Kontum, Gia Lai, DakLak, DakNong, Lam Dong. Besides, you should not miss the Central Highlands Spring festival which lasts from January to March every year in the ethnic villages in the Central Highlands.