The real thing: Members of Central Highlands ethnic groups will perform traditional dances during Central Highlands Cultural Days in Ha Noi this month. — VNA/VNS Photo Sy Huynh

HA NOI — The most attractive cultural features of ethnic groups in Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands) will be presented during the second Central Highlands Cultural Days event organised in Ha Noi this month.

Representatives from five Central Highland provinces, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and Lam Dong, will participate in the event, helping to mark the 67th anniversary of the August 1945 Revolution and National Day (September 2).

This year's event will introduce the cultural identities of the region through gong performances and displays of traditional musical instruments, as well as ritual ceremonies, folk games, and a traditional costume show.

"This large-scale event also aims to highlight tangible and intangible cultural values of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, promote economic and tourism development in the region and encourage people to maintain their cultural life and develop their socio-economic status," said Nguyen Thi Hoa, vice director of the organising board.

"We have been preparing for this event since last year," she said, "it's ten years since the first event was organised and we're all waiting for the opening day."

The reciting of epics by Ba Na, Ede, Mo Nong, Raglai and Xo Dang ethnic groups is set to be one of the highlights of the event.

The second Central Highland Cultural Days in Ha Noi hopes to demonstrate the strong solidarity among ethnic minorities and other groups of the country.

Participating central highlanders will also visit President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum to pay tribute to the late leader and meet other ethnic groups at the Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village in Dong Mo Commune, Ha Noi.

The opening ceremony will commence on August 28 with an art performance entitled Central Highlands – Colours of Culture, performed by troupes from the Central Highlands, in which they will present their traditional costume and special cultural features such as epics, gong dances and folk songs. The event will be broadcast live on VTV2 and VTV5 channels.

During the five-day event, a fair showcasing the local specialities of each Central Highlands province will be displayed and on sale for visitors such as honey, coffee, brocade, ruou can (wine drunk from a jar through pipes) and dried flowers. To help spotlight the region's indigenous characteristics, visitors will also have a chance to see how artisans make traditional handicraft.

The free event will run daily until September 2 from 8am to 10pm at the Culture and Art Exhibition Centre, 2 Hoa Lu Street, Ha Noi. — VNS