Salty taste of the sea in the mountain town

In the proud atmosphere of the historic April, Buon Ma Thuot City becomes a space of convergence of unique cultural colors. Activities ranging from art performances, culinary experiences, OCOP product displays to folk games... bring to the people and visitors a truly meaningful festival, associated with national pride and regional solidarity.

Among them, the area where the folk game of Bài Chòi in Phú Yên province is held has attracted special attention. Bài Chòi is a unique folk art form, combining music, poetry and performance, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Bamboo huts built in the traditional style, the card calling mixed with the humorous folk songs of the “anh hieu” have brought a fun and thoughtful experience.

The area where the folk game of Bai Choi is held in Phu Yen province attracts a large number of people to participate.

Ms. Bui Thi Duyen (Ea Tam Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City) shared: “I have heard of Bai Choi but have never participated. I did not expect it to be so fun and intimate. I really hope this game will continue to be organized more here.”

For Ms. Doan Thi Anh Nguyet (Tan Tien Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City), it was a flood of memories. Having been away from home for more than 15 years, she was deeply moved when she saw a booth playing bai choi within the framework of a cultural activity. The singing voice, the folk songs, the hand-painted cards... all seemed to bring her back to her childhood years in the familiar countryside of Phu Yen. "I remember clearly the bright moonlit nights when the whole village gathered in the communal house yard to play bai choi, adults and children laughing and having fun together," Ms. Nguyet recalled. For her, bai choi is not simply a folk game but a part of her memories of her beloved countryside. The bai choi booth in the heart of the mountain town made her feel like she was seeing a part of her homeland again, a place filled with familiar sounds and colors.

In addition to the traditional musical instruments, singing and dancing performances by actors and artists from Dak Lak and Phu Yen provinces, the culinary performance of tuna fillets - a famous specialty of Phu Yen sea - also impressed visitors. Right on stage, the chefs from Phu Yen Chefs Association skillfully demonstrated their skillful techniques, turning each slice of fresh fish into a true culinary performance art. "We bring to Dak Lak not only specialties but also the spirit and story of our homeland's sea", chef Nguyen Manh Thuat expressed.

The atmosphere of the festival is a harmony between cuisine, music, performing arts and hospitality of the two lands. Lithophone performer Le My Phung emotionally said: “I am very proud to bring Phu Yen music to the Central Highlands. This is not just a performance, this is an opportunity for me to share the spirit of my homeland with the Dak Lak audience”.

Tourists enjoy the lithophone performance by artisans from Phu Yen province.

Amidst the bustling and vibrant atmosphere, many people had the opportunity to experience unique and new cultural activities for the first time. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Minh, a teacher at Buon Ma Thuot High School, shared that what impressed her most was the way the cultural values ​​of the two localities were harmoniously and vividly connected. This is not only a playground for adults but also a valuable opportunity for students to access traditional cultural values, thereby increasing their love and pride for their homeland and country.

Not only stopping at the performance aspect, these cultural activities also open up practical connections between the two localities, from tourism to trade, all based on the foundation of indigenous culture and the spirit of regional cooperation.

According to Mr. Nguyen Le Vu, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Yen province, participating in the event in Dak Lak not only helps Phu Yen province introduce its cultural and culinary beauty but also promotes typical tourist destinations; contributing to attracting tourists in the summer of 2025.

The series of activities brought the public experiences imbued with the identities of the two provinces, not only creating a vibrant atmosphere on the occasion of April 30 and May 1, but also conveying the message of connection and development together. When the great forest and the ocean are in harmony, that is also the time when culture becomes the strongest bridge - connecting the past with the present, connecting lands and connecting hearts.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202505/man-moi-vi-bien-noi-pho-nui-94f183b/