Wild sunflower festival in full swing

HA NOI — The second Chu Dang Ya Wild Sunflower – Volcano Festival has kicked off at Ia Gri Village in the central highland’s province of Gia Lai.

The event, which opened on November 10 and will last until November 13, has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the country.

Visitors have been able to watch gong performances, bamboo making and rattan craftsmanship, as well as wood carving by the ethnic minority groups Banar and Jrai.

Some traditional ceremonies have been organised together with folk games and sports like tug-of-war and archery.

The event is held surrounded by blooming wild sunflowers, which have become a symbol of the Central Highlands area. People from all over the country flock to the district in October and November every year to see the landscape.

Nguyen Chi Vinh, chairman of the Wild Wind Kite Club, said a kite festival will be organised during the event. Twenty members will fly kites of various forms to entertain tourists.

A paragliding show will be a highlight of the festival with 20 members from the Ha Noi Paragliding Club taking off. Tourists can also join in.

A bird singing contest will be held for the local Red-whiskered Bulbul, where 300 birds will compete to select the best.

“Organisers have prepared a signpost guiding people to a local ancient church, which was built between 1906 and 1913,” said Nay Kien, deputy chairman of Chu Pah District’s People’s Committee. “On the way to the church, tourists can enjoy beautiful scenery of yellow rice fields, tall trees and the Chu Nam Mountain.” — VNS