Published:  00:00 Monday - December 29, 2008

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has allowed the central highland province of Gia Lai to host an International Gong Festival in Pleiku City in the third quarter of 2009.

The festival is to fulfil Vietnam’s commitments in its action plan after the country submitted a petition to UNESCO to seek recognition of the Central Highland Gong Culture Space as one of mankind’s oral and intangible masterpieces.

The event, which will draw gong troupes from the five central highland provinces, will be an opportunity to promote their art to the world and boost local socio-economic development, especially tourism.