Gia Lai to Host 2026 International Gong Festival and Traditional Martial Arts Exhibition
Gia Lai Province will host the 2026 International Gong Festival and the 9th International Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival, serving as the centerpiece of the province’s 2026 National Tourism Year. The martial arts event is scheduled for August 2–5, 2026, while the Gong Festival will follow from October 30 to November 8, 2026, according to reports from the provincial People’s Committee.
The 9th International Traditional Vietnamese Martial Arts Festival
The martial arts festival will take place primarily in Quy Nhon and surrounding areas, drawing 23 delegations from both within Vietnam and abroad. According to the provincial People’s Committee, the event aims to honor national cultural values and promote the preservation of traditional martial arts.
The program includes floral and incense offerings at the Kien Chanh monument and the Quang Trung Museum, along with an opening ceremony at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square. Organizers have planned a series of demonstrations, exhibitions featuring martial arts schools and lineages, and visits to historical landmarks. Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to refine the opening ceremony script to emphasize the unique heritage of Vietnamese martial arts and to consider inviting international delegations for collaborative performances.
2026 Central Highlands International Gong Festival
The International Gong Festival is positioned as a primary event for the 2026 National Tourism Year, with activities centered in Pleiku City, Bien Ho, and nearby districts. The event expects participation from approximately 45 gong ensembles.
The festival aims to promote the cultural heritage of the Central Highlands and facilitate international integration. Planned activities include:
- Traditional music and instrument performances.
- Exhibitions of Gong cultural spaces and local OCOP (One Commune, One Product) goods.
- A Pleiku City trail running tournament.
- Culinary programs and local product markets.
- A live-broadcasted international gong performance at Dai Doan Ket Square.
Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich has requested that the organizing committee emphasize the “international” scope of the event by inviting overseas artisans and hosting forums for nations that share similar gong-based cultural traditions. The province is also exploring the integration of the festival with the Wild Sunflower Festival at the Chu Dang Ya volcano to boost tourism appeal.
Strategic Goals and Regional Development
The provincial government views these festivals as vital tools for regional development, investment attraction, and the promotion of the Central Highlands’ cultural image. Officials have emphasized that all events must be linked to local community participation to ensure residents and tourists can engage directly with the traditions being showcased.
Security, logistics, and medical support plans are currently being finalized by the relevant departments to ensure the safety of participants. The provincial administration remains focused on using these events to elevate the status of Gia Lai on the international stage while contributing to the ongoing effort to secure UNESCO recognition for Binh Dinh traditional martial arts and the preservation of the Central Highlands’ Gong cultural space.
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