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When it comes to the majestic Tay Nguyen region, it's not just about vast mountainous landscapes like Ta Dung or the mist-shrouded city of Dalat. Tay Nguyen also boasts unique cultural practices such as the Gong Festival - one of the region's most important and beloved festivals. That's why the Dalat Gong Festival Tour is one of the must-try experiences for travelers during the Tet holiday season.
1. Introduction to the Dalat Gong Festival
1.1 The Gong Festival Celebration
The Tay Nguyen Gong Festival is a local festival organized by the indigenous people. During the festival, the gong is considered the main musical instrument throughout the event. It's not just a musical instrument but the heart of the Dalat Gong Festival Tour and Tay Nguyen region.
The Gong Festival is typically held annually in rotation in the 5 provinces of Tay Nguyen including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong. These are the 5 provinces with the Gong Culture of the entire region. The Gong Festival is organized by the ethnic groups of E De, Bana, Gia Rai, Xe Dang, and more.
Thanks to its uniqueness and preservation over generations, the Tay Nguyen Gong Festival has officially been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The Gong Festival is a beautiful cultural aspect of Tay Nguyen.
The Gong Festival is organized by the K’Ho Lach ethnic group in Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province, regularly welcoming tourists. Therefore, tourists on Dalat sightseeing tours can stop by here to experience the Dalat Gong Festival Tour and enjoy this distinctive cultural aspect of the Central Highlands.
1.2 Gong musical instruments
The gong is the main musical instrument of the Tay Nguyen Gong Festival and the Dalat Gong Festival Tour. Therefore, the sound quality during the festival depends largely on the quality of the gongs. Some basic knowledge about gongs that tourists may need to know includes:
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The gong and the chime are two different musical instruments: Although both are made of bronze or sometimes mixed with black or gold bronze, they differ in shape and size. Both are circular like a conical hat, but the gong has a knob in the center while the chime does not. Both types come in various sizes.
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Gongs can be used individually or in sets of 2, 18, 20 pieces, etc. in the Dalat Gong Festival Tour.
During the festival, gongs are often used in sets.
2. Activities of the Dalat Gong Festival
Similar to other festivals held across the country, the festival at the Dalat Gong Festival Tour is divided into two main parts: the ritual part and the festive part.
2.1 Ritual Part
The K’ho Lạch residents of old lived at the foot of Langbiang Mountain. The ceremonial part of the Dalat Gong Festival Tour typically begins with the village elders recounting tales of ancient origins, customs, and ethnic life.
Moreover, the ceremonial part includes the ritual of praying to the Fire God - the Yang Prayer. Visitors also get to witness and experience jungle meat feasts and rice wine drinking in Dalat along with bonfires at Langbiang campsite.
2.2 Festive Part
After concluding the ceremonial part, the festival transitions to the festive part. This is the most exciting and anticipated segment for participants. The festive part livens up the festival atmosphere even more.
Everyone participating in the festival will gather to sing and dance around the campfire. At this time, visitors can also join in the circle dance in the middle of the fire or watch traditional dances like the Langbiang flower dance, buffalo dance, buffalo searching dance, Drop P’nu hunting dance, 'My Love by the Stream' dance, 'I'm Going to Pick Forest Leaves' dance, and more.
Amidst the roaring campfire and lively gong sounds, visitors can enjoy truly unique experiences with the Dalat Gong Festival Tour. Additionally, they can witness the famous buffalo fighting festival of the Central Highlands.
The vibrant festival part of the Dalat Gong Festival.
The festival segment of the Dalat Gong Festival Tour will be a favorite experience for travel enthusiasts keen on cultural exchange and learning about the local people's way of life, especially the unique gong culture of the Central Highlands.
Travelers visiting Da Lat for 2 days 1 night or more should spend their evenings participating in the Dalat Gong Festival Tour. Here, they can experience, share, and immerse themselves in the lives of the local people in Lam Dong, especially the ethnic minorities.
Currently, visitors can experience the Gong Festival culture in Da Lat at the Lang Biang Mountain tourist area. Moreover, those who love this festival can also explore and read reviews of the Dalat Gong Festival Tour before experiencing it.
3. Experience Tips for Participating in the Central Highlands Gong Festival
Although this is a cultural exchange festival with lively dance performances, the Gong Festival is still a solemn religious ceremony according to the beliefs of the local ethnic groups. Therefore, travelers joining the Dalat Gong Festival Tour should pay attention to their attire.
Specifically, when participating in the
Travelers participating in the bonfire ritual of the Gong Festival should exercise caution.
Additionally, travelers should also prioritize their safety to avoid injuries, especially during the ritual of offering prayers by the bonfire when joining the Dalat Gong Festival Tour.
Unlike conventional musical instruments, the gong is a type of instrument commonly used in regions with gong culture. Therefore, travelers should learn about this musical instrument before going on the Dalat Gong Festival Tour if they have time to better understand how this instrument operates and any related precautions.
4. Other Hot Tourist Destinations in Dalat
Dalat - the city of mist always remains an appealing destination, attracting millions of tourists every year to explore and enjoy the cool atmosphere of the highland region. Therefore, travelers visiting Dalat should arrange their itinerary for the Dalat Gong Festival Tour along with famous attractions in Dalat such as:
4.1 Lang Biang Mountain
Known as the highest mountain in Dalat and also the venue for the Dalat Gong Festival Tour, travelers standing atop Langbiang Mountain can admire the panoramic view of Dalat city hidden in the mist. Langbiang Mountain tourist area has 3 peaks including Ra đa peak, Bà peak, and Ông peak.
Here, travelers can choose to rent a jeep to ascend the mountain peak and enjoy the Langbiang Mountain scenery along the way. Don't forget to check in with the Langbiang inscription on the famous mountain top.
Additionally, travelers can explore the fascinating legend of this mountain. According to legend, this is the place where the love story of Lang and Biang unfolded. Visitors can also visit the eco-tourism area in the valley below the mountain peak.
Experiencing the cultural exchange of the Dalat Gong Festival is a worthwhile experience.
Another thing is that the tourist area at the foot of Langbiang Mountain often organizes the Dalat Gong Festival Tour, making it easy for travelers to experience the Gong Festival here.
4.2 Cam Tu Cau Flower Fields
Besides joining the Dalat Gong Festival Tour, what could be more wonderful than taking photos amidst the sparkling cam tu cau flower fields. Therefore, the cam tu cau flower fields are one of the must-visit destinations for travelers exploring Dalat.
This will be an ideal spot for flower enthusiasts to admire and capture photos amidst the flower forest. Moreover, travelers can learn about the fascinating knowledge of growing cam tu cau flowers based on the soil's pH level while exploring the garden.
Taking check-in photos is an essential activity when visiting the Cam Tu Cau Flower Fields in Dalat.
In Dalat, there are approximately 5 cam tu cau flower gardens. However, travelers can opt for the garden in Trại Mát area, near Ve Chai Pagoda, for convenient access to visit this unique pagoda while on the Dalat Gong Festival Tour.
4.3 Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Linh Phuoc Pagoda attracts visitors not only for its sacredness but also for its unique architecture on the wall panels and columns of the pagoda.
True to its name, the wall panels of the pagoda are assembled from thousands of broken ceramic pieces. Although the broken ceramic pieces have different patterns, when put together, this pagoda becomes an incredibly unique masterpiece.
Travelers check in at Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
That's also the reason why the pagoda named 'Ve Chai' but is often visited by tourists near the parking lot every time they come to Dalat for tourism. During the Dalat Gong Festival Tour, travelers can also visit this pagoda to sightsee and pray for peace and luck.
4.4 Cloud Hunting at Cau Dat Tea Hill
Checking in at the tea hill with lush green background has long been an essential activity in Dalat trips or Dalat Gong Festival Tours. The tea hill is located at an altitude of about 1650 meters, covering an area of about 230 hectares. Travelers can see rows of tea hills stretching out, creating a beautiful scenery.
Cau Dat Tea Hill is located about 23km from the city center of Dalat. Thanks to this, visitors to the tea hill can enjoy the scenery away from the peaceful and cool urban area. One thing for sure is that visitors will not miss the opportunity to capture some 'youthful' photos at this lush green tea hill.
Cau Dat Tea Hill is a favorite spot for tourists when they come here.
Visitors who want to admire the tea hill at its greenest should choose to visit at the end of the year. At this time, the tea leaves are much greener, and visitors standing amidst the tea hill can smell the fragrance of fresh tea lingering in the air. Additionally, visitors can also admire the green tea hill dotted with the yellow of blooming wild sunflowers in the last days of the year.
4.5 Tuyen Lam Lake Dalat
Tuyen Lam Lake is renowned for its picturesque scenery, making it a perfect spot for sightseeing. However, few know that this place was once an important military base during the resistance war against the United States.
Visitors to Tuyen Lam Lake during the Cong Chieng Dalat Tour often kayak out into the middle of the lake to enjoy the serene water surface, surrounded by cool air with rows of lush pine trees along the shore.
Visitors on the Cong Chieng Dalat Tour can also arrange time to try camping and check-in at the legendary Lavender wooden bridge.
4.6 Dalat Sky Gate
Among the countless check-in spots in the City of Flowers, visitors don't miss the Dalat Sky Gate. The Dalat Sky Gate View is located at the Dalat View Coffee shop.
Standing on this sky gate, visitors will feel like they are standing in paradise at an altitude of nearly a thousand meters with the sky and clouds all around. It creates a stunning check-in backdrop in the midst of the beautiful mist.
The coffee shop is situated on Mimosa Hill, so tourists who have come to the misty city on the Cong Chieng Dalat Tour would miss out on the magnificent scenery of the Cong Chieng Dalat Tour if they overlook it.
A picturesque corner like a fairyland at Dalat View.
Despite its location not too far from the city center, visitors here will feel extremely peaceful as they immerse themselves in the mountainous nature, surrounded by lush greenery and peaceful, picturesque clouds.
4.7 Lam Vien Square
Lam Vien Square is located near Xuan Huong Lake, where visitors can enjoy the cool breeze blowing from the lake. Additionally, visitors cannot overlook the opportunity to take photos with the giant artichoke flower and wild sunflowers - the symbols of Dalat city.
Not only are these structures built to help visitors take photos when they visit Dalat, but the giant artichoke flower also houses a small cafe inside. Designed in a spiral shape and using green-tinted glass, whether visitors look in from outside or from inside out, they will see a magnificent scene.
Having taken photos with the giant artichoke flower, visitors surely must capture moments with the gigantic wild sunflowers within the same square premises to fully experience the essence of Dalat. Both are considered iconic landmarks of Dalat that visitors should not miss when going on a Cong Chieng Dalat tour.
Visitors cannot overlook the opportunity to take photos at Lam Vien Square.
In the evening, visitors to Lam Vien Square can witness the lively atmosphere of a famous tourist city like Dalat, as well as admire these structures illuminated brilliantly.
6. Mytour's suggested Cong Chieng Dalat tours
6.1 3 Days 2 Nights Dalat Tour
Ideal for group tours, companies, and large families, the itinerary for the Cong Chieng Dalat Tour 3 Days 2 Nights includes:
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Day 1: Visit Bao Dai Palace, Tuyen Lam Lake, and check-in at Lam Vien Square.
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Day 2: Explore Dalat's Golden Bridge, Cam Tu Cau Flower Field, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, and Lang Biang Mountain. In the evening, at the foot of Langbiang Mountain, visitors will participate in the cultural exchange of the Central Highlands Gong Festival organized by locals. With this Cong Chieng Dalat Tour, visitors will experience rituals, traditional dances, enjoy can wine, and savor grilled meat.
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Day 3: Visit the agricultural market, Dalat Flower Garden, and conclude the trip.
The price of the cultural exchange gong festival ticket will include the price of the 3 Days 2 Nights Dalat Tour.
6.2 Nha Trang Dalat 4 Days 3 Nights Tour
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Day 1: Visit Nha Trang's hot spots such as Bai Dai Beach, Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, Tram Huong Tower, etc.
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Day 2: Explore Nha Trang Bay, VinWonders, Con Se Tre Tourist Area, Swallow Village, etc.
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Day 3: Depart to Dalat, visit Domaine De Marie Church, Langbiang Mountain, and join the Central Highlands Gong Tour. This is a Cong Chieng Dalat Tour organized in the Lang Biang tourist area, under Langbiang Mountain to enjoy grilled meat and rice wine.
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Day 4: Visit Dalat Flower Garden, Dalat Agricultural Market, and Dalat View Sky Gate.
6.3 Other Dalat Tours
6.3.1 Dalat 3 Days 3 Nights Tour
Besides the Cong Chieng Dalat Tour, travelers can also consider the 3 Days 3 Nights Dalat Tour departing during Tet with the following itinerary:
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Day 1: Cloud hunting paradise, Cau Dat Tea Hill, Dalat's version of Golden Bridge, Cam Tu Cau Flower Field, Ve Chai Pagoda, Lam Vien Square, Tuyen Lam Lake.
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Day 2: Visit Domaine De Marie Church, Puppy Farm,...
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Day 3: Explore Dalat Agricultural Market and Pongour Waterfall before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
3 Days 3 Nights Dalat Tour during Tet with special prices.
6.3.2 Ta Dung - Dalat Tour
In addition to enjoying the festivities in the City of Thousands of Flowers during Tet Nguyen Dan 2024, travelers can explore Tà Đùng Lake - the “Halong Bay” of the Central Highlands with an exciting itinerary:
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Day 1: Visit Tà Đùng Lake and walk on the glass bridge, then head to Dalat.
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Day 2: Explore and check in at Dalat View, Socola Gallery Chocolate Castle, Langbiang Mountain, Lam Vien Square, and enjoy unlimited vegetable buffet. The highlight of day 2 itinerary is participating in the cultural exchange with Tay Nguyen Gong in the evening. Here, travelers not only experience the activities and rituals of the Tay Nguyen Gong but also have the opportunity to interact with the locals.
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Day 3: The group will visit Datanla Waterfall before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
The Dalat Gong Tour will surely offer travelers unforgettable experiences that nowhere else can provide. This is an opportunity for tourists, especially those interested in exploring the culture of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. Contact Mytour's hotline Mytour now for advice on these fascinating Dalat Gong Tours.
