Published:  00:00 Monday - May 25, 2009

The inaugural International Gong Festival will be held sometime between July and September in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai.

The festival will celebrate the Central Highlands’ gong culture, which was recognised by UNESCO as a unique part of the world’s oral and intangible heritage in December 2005.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has given the green light to preparations for the Gong Festival, which will be organised by the provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

The festival is expected to welcome gong troupes from five provinces in the Central Highlands as well as performers from abroad.