Preserving Indigenous Culture: Creating Sustainable Tourism Livelihoods for Ethnic Minorities

Project 6 under the National Target Program on Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2025 period, with the goal of "Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development" has been implemented by many localities and achieved outstanding results, arousing pride in cultural identity while creating new livelihoods for the community.

In particular, during the recent discussion session at the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly, many delegates also mentioned the role of culture, heritage and tourism in socio-economic development, considering this as the "endogenous resources and soft power" of the country.

Notably, in the general development picture, Gia Lai of the Central Highlands region stands out not only for its majestic landscape, but also for its unique cultural treasure of numerous ethnic groups living together. This locality identifies the work of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values as the foundation for promoting sustainable tourism development, creating livelihoods, and contributing to building a new cultural life for the people.

Creating sustainable livelihoods from conservation work

Preserving identity in development, building a green tourism ecosystem, promoting cultural industry, digital transformation in heritage management, and ensuring mountainous infrastructure associated with sustainable tourism development... are some of the key solutions pointed out by National Assembly delegates.

According to National Assembly delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh (Da Nang), the mountainous and midland regions of our country are priceless natural treasures, converging majestic landscapes, cool climates and many unique indigenous cultural values, from terraced fields, waterfalls, primeval forests to brocade weaving, cuisine, festivals and folk knowledge of ethnic minorities. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the mountainous regions as areas with great opportunities for green development and preservation of indigenous cultural heritage.

When traditional indigenous cultural heritage is preserved and spread beyond the borders of Vietnam. (Photo source: Tarzan Tay Nguyen)

“Investing in mountain tourism for economic development and cultural heritage preservation must be considered a pillar in the regional and national development strategy. Therefore, there needs to be a favorable mechanism for people, especially women and ethnic minorities, to become the subjects of mountain tourism development, thereby turning traditional cultural treasures into sustainable livelihood assets,” delegate Bao Trinh emphasized.

As one of the localities actively implementing Project 6 nationwide, aiming to restore, preserve and spread traditional cultural values, in recent times, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai has organized dozens of classes to inventory, collect and document the intangible cultural heritage of the Bahnar, Jrai, Cham Hroi, H're ethnic groups...

Accordingly, the “living treasures” of the community such as epics, festivals, crafts, folk songs, traditional musical instruments have been restored, recorded, printed and preserved. Notably, the restoration of the New Rice Celebration of the Jrai ethnic group in Ia Gri village (Chu Pah) within the framework of the Wild Sunflower Week – Chu Dang Ya Volcano.

This is not only a cultural event, but also demonstrates the connection between indigenous culture and community tourism. The new rice festival of the Bahnar K'riêm people and the Village God Festival of the Cham H'roi people (Vinh Thanh district) also create special attractions for tourists from all over.

During the 2023-2024 period, the local authorities provided funding, organized honoring ceremonies and opened classes for Bahnar and Jrai students. The quintessence of wood carving, brocade weaving, weaving and gong performance were all passed on by folk artisans and elite artisans - those who possess knowledge, skills and passion for ethnic culture in the space of the Central Highlands countryside.

The beauty of the Central Highlands. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

The classes not only preserve cultural knowledge but also create livelihoods for people through experiential tourism, displaying and trading handicraft products. In 2024, the program "Weekend Gong - Enjoy & Experience" at the Great Unity Square expanded to 46 performances, becoming a familiar cultural meeting place, attracting a large number of tourists.

Local leaders clearly identified the goal of “preservation for development,” from restoring festivals, teaching traditional crafts to organizing ethnic sports competitions, all activities are associated with promoting local tourism.

When traditional identity becomes core value

One of the highlights when Project 6 was implemented by Gia Lai was the formation of the model “Gia Lai Cultural Colors - Preservation and Development,” including: Erection of models of communal houses and flagpoles; purchase of materials, props, etc. for display, decoration and experience of the models, etc., helping the public have the opportunity to experience reality and understand more deeply about the identity of ethnic groups.

In addition, many gong clubs and folk cultural activities have been established in Kbang, Ayun Pa, Chu Pah, Ia Pa districts... contributing to maintaining the cultural life of the community; traditional art troupes in 81 ethnic minority villages and hamlets operate regularly, becoming the nucleus to spread the spirit of solidarity and national pride.

Documentaries and promotional reports such as “Community tourism – new direction for Jrai people” or “Gia Lai – where culture becomes an attractive tourism product” have helped the land and people of the Central Highlands become closer to tourists.

Foreign tourists experience Vietnam's cultural heritage. (Photo source: Tarzan Tay Nguyen)

Tourist destinations such as Kep village (Chu Pah), Mlah village (Krong Pa), Ha Ri village (Vinh Hiep)... have been invested in and renovated; cultural houses, village sports areas, and community bookcases have been built, becoming important cultural institutions serving the spiritual life of the people.

It can be seen that, from the funding support of Project 6, the work of preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in Gia Lai province has had many positive, practical and effective changes; the work of restoring, preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of ethnic minorities has received attention; investment in building cultural and sports institutions and equipment for cultural and sports activities at cultural houses, village sports areas and equivalent areas of ethnic minorities, organizing the preservation of traditional festivals associated with tourism development, organizing training courses on traditional cultural heritage... contributing to improving the cultural life of local people.

If it continues to pursue this correct path, in the future Gia Lai is expected to continue to affirm its position as a unique cultural and tourism center of the Central Highlands, where national identity is both preserved and has the opportunity to shine in the context of international integration and digitalization./.