Diverse, rich in identity

Plateau sediments

The beauty of the Bien Ho Scenic Area - where the activities of the City's Cultural and Tourism Festival take place - resonates, creating a unique color for each activity. The reenactment of rituals by the artisans helps locals and visitors once again experience the festivals associated with the long-standing residents of the highland city.

Nearly 1,000 artists and actors brought eye-catching and resonant performances. From the victory celebration to the new rice eating ceremony, buffalo stabbing, grave abandonment, wedding ceremony... the artist groups recreated the cultural flow from thousands of years imbued with the unique flavor of the red basalt land.

Pleiku City artisans reenact traditional rituals at the festival. Photo: Ba Binh

Ethnic minority youths in the city also brought to the festival enthusiastic performances of youth. They breathed new life into gongs, showed off their talent and youth through traditional sports competitions such as tug of war and stick pushing, bringing exciting moments to both participants and audiences.

Ms. Pun (Phung village, Bien Ho commune) confided: “The Jrai villages living around Bien Ho all have a long history. I am very proud to be a young generation inheriting the unique cultural values left by our ancestors, introducing to tourists the unique identity of our people.”

Score points with visitors

Along with many cultural activities imbued with identity, the Gia Lai City Trail - Dream of the Great Forest Race has made its own mark at the festival. The thoughtfully organized activities have made a strong impression on visitors.

Ms. Hoang Cao Son (a tourist from Cao Bang) shared: “I came to Pleiku this time to cheer for my friends participating in the running race. I was very surprised by the cuteness and thoughtfulness of the Organizing Committee. The city organized many activities for visitors to participate, experience, and shop for local specialties. I especially like the atmosphere here, from the cool climate to the enthusiasm and warmth of the people.”

Tourists experience the Jrai people's method of brewing rice wine. Photo: MC

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu (a tourist from Lao Cai) said: “I came here to jog but the main purpose was tourism. I visited the tourist villages around the mountain town such as Phung village, Op village, Bien Ho scenic spot, hundred-year-old pine trees, Buu Minh pagoda…

What impressed me most was the simplicity and hospitality of the people. Pleiku still retains its wildness and has not been heavily urbanized like many other places, so it still has its own unique charm."

Sharing the same opinion, Nguyen Hoang Gia Bao - a runner from Ho Chi Minh City - confided: "I have been to Pleiku many times because I like the fresh climate, the friendly people, especially the wonderful cuisine, lots of delicious dishes. Running in this climate and natural scenery, I and many other runners feel very excited".

Pounding rice in pairs is one of the experiences in the cultural experience tour of the community of Op village. Photo: MC

Spreading the image of mountain town tourism

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ha - Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Pleiku City: To welcome and serve a large number of athletes and tourists coming to Pleiku City on this occasion, the Organizing Committee mobilizes people and service businesses to respond, be ready to welcome with a friendly spirit, and provide maximum support to tourists.

Mr. Rah Lan Thang - tour guide at the village introduces the meaning of folk wooden statues of the Jrai people. Photo: MC

Mr. Doan Huu Dung - Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Pleiku City - assessed: The race attracting thousands of athletes from across the country and 11 countries around the world is an unexpected success for the Organizing Committee.

This is the result of careful preparation that the city carried out quite early. The spread of the event is not only in the number of athletes but also in most localities in the country and internationally.

“We hope that the experiences at the Cultural-Tourism Festival and Gia Lai City Trail-Giác mơ đại sơn Race will leave many beautiful and unforgettable impressions in the hearts of tourists and athletes about a friendly and hospitable Pleiku.

"Athletes and tourists will become ambassadors to promote the image of tourism in the mountain town of Pleiku as well as Gia Lai province to domestic and international friends and tourists," emphasized the Chairman of the People's Committee of Pleiku City.

Source: https://gialai.gov.vn/tin-tuc/ngay-hoi-van-hoa-du-lich-tp-pleiku-da-dang-giau-ban-sac.80973.aspx