Quang Ngai and Kon Tum merge, the new Quang Ngai province will have 43 ethnic groups

Kon Tum - Ảnh 1. — After the merger of Quang Ngai - Kon Tum , Quang Ngai province will have 43 ethnic groups, the most diverse cultural identity in the country - Photo: HA NGUYEN

The merger of Quang Ngai - Kon Tum will help the new Quang Ngai province become the most diverse and culturally rich province in the country, creating favorable conditions for tourism development.

Kon Tum province currently has 43 ethnic groups.

Specifically, Kon Tum province currently has 43 ethnic groups; Quang Ngai currently has 4 ethnic groups (Kinh, Cor, Hre, Xo Dang, all of which are currently present in Kon Tum).

Among the 43 ethnic groups in Kon Tum today, there are 7 local ethnic groups including: Gia Rai, Ba Na, Xo Dang, Gie Trieng, Brau, Ro Mam, and Hre.

In addition, there are ethnic groups migrating from the North such as: Tay, Nung, Thai, Muong, Tho, San Diu, San Chay, Mong, Dao, Lao, Giay...; from the Central region there are ethnic groups such as: Co Tu, Cor, Van Kieu, Ra Glai, Co Ho, E De, Ta Oi...; from the South there are 2 ethnic groups: Hoa and Khmer.

The seven local ethnic communities of Kon Tum each have their own identity, and possess an extremely rich and vibrant treasure of folk culture.

Each community preserves many unique cultural heritages, imbued with its own identity, especially fairy tales, epics, folk songs, sculpture, weaving, costumes, pottery, agricultural tool making and jewelry that express philosophy of life, national origin, love for people, love for nature and country.

Festivals of ethnic minorities have their own unique characteristics, with gongs - a typical musical instrument played in different ways according to the folk beliefs of each community.

Along with that, the diversity of ethnic communities also creates many traditional occupations such as: brocade weaving, wine making, forging, weaving, crossbow making, and traditional musical instruments making. These are not only household items but also symbolic art products.

Kon Tum - Ảnh 2. — The 43 ethnic groups of the new Quang Ngai province all have their own cultural identities, an advantage for tourism development - Photo: HA NGUYEN

Diverse cultural identity, the driving force for tourism development

At the first working session between the Standing Committee of Quang Ngai and Kon Tum Provincial Party Committees to discuss the merger of the provinces, Mr. Duong Van Trang - Secretary of Kon Tum Provincial Party Committee, also mentioned that the new Quang Ngai province after the merger will be very rich in cultural identity and ethnic communities.

Mr. Trang believes that it is our responsibility to care for and help ethnic minorities develop their economy. Besides, it is also an important resource for socio-economic development if we pay attention to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of ethnic minorities.

According to statistics from Kon Tum province, the province currently has 479 communal houses; more than 2,500 sets of gongs preserved and more than 500 ethnic minority villages with gongs, gong troupes and xoang dances; 33 traditional festivals of ethnic minorities have been collected and restored; the number of people and artisans who know their ethnic traditional crafts has increased to more than 12,000.

Kon Tum - Ảnh 3. — Combined with diverse landscapes and cultures, it will help Quang Ngai province take off in tourism - Photo: HA NGUYEN

With the diversity of community and culture, community tourism has been promoted in recent years. Currently, many villages in Kon Tum have been named on the tourism map, such as: Kon Ko Tu village; Bar Goc village; Vi Ro Ngheo village; Dak Rang village.

After merging the two provinces of Quang Ngai and Kon Tum, the new Quang Ngai province will have the most ethnically diverse community in the country.

Along with famous tourist destinations such as Mang Den town, Indochina junction, Chu Mom Ray National Park, Ly Son island, Sa Huynh culture... ethnic communities with full identity will be the new driving force to promote tourism development of the province.