Potential from festival tourism

Along with stunning natural landscapes, unique and culturally rich traditional festivals are key resources for tourism in Dak Lak.

Coastal festival space

The eastern part of Dak Lak boasts a rich array of festivals closely linked to the lives of the coastal people. While scenic spots like Ganh Da Dia or Mui Dien are tranquil natural wonders, these festivals are the vibrant soul of the region.

The Fishing Festival (usually held from January to June of the lunar calendar, depending on the specific shrine of the local deity) – a national intangible cultural heritage – is not only a religious activity but also a major annual festival for coastal residents. Besides the spiritual rituals where fishermen pray for "calm seas and clear skies," the festival also opens up a unique outdoor artistic space with traditional folk singing, dances, and folk games. Visitors to coastal villages like Xuan Canh and My Quang (Tuy An Nam commune) during the festival season will feel the strong sense of community and reverence for nature among the people of this coastal region.

The Fishing Festival, a cultural heritage and a distinctive festival of coastal residents. Photo: Van Tai.

The fishing festival has two parts. The ceremonial part includes rituals such as the procession of royal decrees, the procession of spirits, the welcoming of the deity, and sacrificial ceremonies to pray for a bountiful fishing season and safe journeys for boats. During the ceremonial part, the procession of spirits includes the performance of "ba trạo," a unique folk performance art that mimics rowing movements, expressing the solidarity of fishermen at sea. The festive part is lively with folk competitions such as boat racing, basket-shaking, and traditional opera performances.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “I was truly surprised to experience the fishing festival in the coastal villages of eastern Dak Lak. The reverence of the fishermen and the rhythmic ba trao dance have a very special energy. This is a very distinctive cultural feature of the fishermen that those of us who enjoy exploring really want to experience.”

Besides the fishing festivals in coastal villages, the Luong Van Chanh Temple Festival (Phu Hoa 2 commune) is rich in historical and cultural significance, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of Phu Yen's territorial expansion from the late 16th to early 17th centuries; combined with photo exhibitions and displays of characteristic OCOP products. In particular, connecting heritage destinations with cultural events has created a vibrant tourism ecosystem, helping to eliminate the "seasonality" that is a weakness of coastal tourism in Central Vietnam.

The colorful festivals of the Central Highlands

While festivals in the eastern part of the province are deeply rooted in maritime culture, those in the western region are characterized by the unique festival atmosphere of the Central Highlands. Every March, the villages resound with the sounds of gongs and drums, entering a season of vibrant festivals.

Most notably, the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival is a significant cultural and economic event held every two years to honor the value of coffee, promote the Vietnamese coffee brand to the world, and boost tourism and trade.

The Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival is a cultural event that attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists to Dak Lak . Photo: D. Trieu

Within the framework of the festival, many unique activities were organized, such as street festivals, coffee exhibitions, coffee plantation tours, free coffee tasting, and cultural exchanges featuring gong music. The festive atmosphere permeated the streets, attracting a large number of locals and tourists from both within and outside the country.

Another unique cultural feature is Bunpimay, the traditional New Year of the Lao community living in the border area, especially in Buon Don commune. During the Lao New Year, people organize many rituals such as bathing the Buddha statue, tying lucky threads around wrists, splashing water for blessings, along with cultural activities, Lam Vong dance, and enjoying traditional cuisine. The friendly and joyful atmosphere of Bunpimay has become a unique cultural highlight, attracting tourists to learn about the lives of the border community.

In addition, the western part of the province also has cultural festivals of ethnic groups from the North, such as: Hang Po Festival (Ea Drong commune), Viet Bac Folk Culture Festival (Ea Ning commune, Tam Giang commune), Ea Sien Love Market (Ea Sien commune)... which are also attractive destinations that draw tourists.

The presence of unique festivals, from the sea to the highlands, has enriched the cultural landscape of Dak Lak. These are not only traditional cultural events but also important tourism resources. Integrating festivals with tourism promotion, experiences, and the introduction of local products is opening up new directions for the province's tourism industry.

Tai Van - Dang Trieu

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202603/tiem-nang-tu-du-lich-le-hoi-1df2f65/