QUẢNG NGÃI — Around 20,000 visitors participated in Quảng Ngãi Province's Culture and Tourism Week, which kicked off on Thursday night in Măng Đen Commune, offering a series of activities honouring the culture and heritage of ethnic minority groups in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands).

The four-day festival aims to celebrate the 14th National Party Congress and the 96th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (February 3, 1930 – 2026), and welcome the New Year of 2026.

Y Ngọc, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee, said that with the theme of Măng Đen – Sắc Hồng Giữa Đại Ngàn (Măng Đen – Shade of Pink amid the Forest), the festival introduces the breathtaking beauty of mai anh đào (prunus cerasoides) flowers along the streets, the rising strength of Măng Đen, and its kind and friendly people.

Ngọc said the event also shows the province’s aspiration for building Măng Đen into a must-visit attraction to domestic and international tourists, as well as the convergence in the new Quãng Ngãi’s “forests and seas” tourism linkage.

She added that the province commits to improving the investment and tourism environment and mobilising resources efficiently to sustainably develop Măng Đen into a high-class ecotourism and resort destination, and a precious gem of the region and the country.

The highlights of the festival are performances of traditional music and dance by artisans and performers from ethnic minority groups, honouring gong culture, which was recognised as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005, and xoang, a traditional community dance performed by ethnic minority groups living in the Central Highlands.

Visitors can join local artisans, listen to their stories of preserving and promoting gong culture, and learn about the traditional rituals of ethnic minorities.

The Măng Đen agricultural product and herb fair is one of the favourite spots at the festival. It showcases local signature products, handicrafts, OCOP (one commune one product) items, cultural and tourism products, and food.

In addition, the festival includes a hot air balloon presentation and barista performances to introduce local specialty coffee.

The festival will end on January 4. — VNS