Dak Lak ready for Tay Nguyen Festival,

The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak is ready for the Tay Nguyen Festival in March to mark the 30th anniversary of the Buon Ma Thuot victory and the Central Highlands liberation, said Nguyen Van Lang, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. Mr. Lang said that a large-size exhibition and fair centre is taking shape in Buon Ma Thuot City. He affirmed that the province will meet the demand for accommodation from visitors as it now has 30 hotels and is going to open another four hotels. New buses have been mobilised to ensure transport flow during the festival. Buon Ma Thuot City is trying to finish the construction of key projects in the hope that it will be recognised as a second-class city on this occasion. A biggest ever fair and exhibition programme will run throughout the festival. Special cultural and art programmes will be held, featuring distinctive cultural diversity of ethnic minority groups such as Ede, Mnong, Xe Dang and J’rai. Ly Thanh Tung, head of the organising board, said that the fair is expected to attract 500 pavilions from local and foreign businesses. According to the provincial Cultural and Information Department, ethnic minority groups in the province now occupy 3,825 sets of gongs – the products that measure the richness and reputation of families. For Ede, MNong and J’rai ethnic people, gongs are not simply musical instruments during festivals, but also means of communications with Deities. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the provincial Cultural and Information Department, said that a mobile information festival will be held, drawing the participation of 15 northern provinces. Art troupes will travel from the central province of Quang Binh on March 1 to other provinces located along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail. They will arrive in Dak Lak on March 8 and fan out to 12 districts and towns to serve locals. They will get to Buon Ma Thuot city on March 10, move further down to Binh Dinh, then travel back to Quang Ngai and conclude their performance tour in Quang Tri. In March, Dak Lak will be full of the echoing sound of gongs beating and festive colours. Sipping hot bitter Trung Nguyen coffee during the chilly days, visitors will feel warmer in an atmosphere of unity, co-operation and development.