Alongside its stunning natural landscapes, distinctive traditional festivals that reflect strong cultural identity are a major draw for tourism in Dak Lak.

Coastal festival space

The eastern part of Dak Lak is home to a wide range of festivals closely associated with coastal community life.

The Whale Worship Festival, typically held from the first to the sixth lunar month depending on the locality and recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, is not only a spiritual practice but also a major annual celebration for coastal residents. In addition to rituals in which fishermen pray for calm seas and favourable weather, the festival creates a vibrant outdoor cultural space featuring Ba Trao singing, Sieu dance and folk games. Visitors to coastal villages such as Xuan Canh and My Quang, Tuy An Nam commune, can experience the strong community cohesion alongside deep local reverence for nature.

Whale Worship Festival, a cultural heritage festival typical of coastal communities.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh city, shared: “I was truly impressed by the Whale Worship Festival in the eastern coastal villages of Dak Lak. The devotion of the fishermen and the rhythm of the Ba Trao dance create a very special energy. This is a distinctive cultural feature of coastal communities that travellers are eager to experience”.

In addition, the Luong Van Chanh Temple Festival in Phu Hoa 2 commune bears a strong historical and cultural imprint, offering visitors insights into the southward expansion into Phu Yen from the late 16th to early 17th centuries. The festival is also combined with photo exhibitions and displays of typical OCOP products. The linkage between heritage sites as well as cultural events has contributed to the development of a dynamic tourism environment.

Colours of Central Highlands festivals

While festivals in the eastern region reflect maritime culture, the western part of the province is characterised by the distinctive festival space of the Central Highlands.

Most notably, the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, a major cultural and economic event held biennially, honours coffee value, promotes the Vietnamese coffee brand globally, while driving tourism and trade development.

Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, a cultural event attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors to Dak Lak.

Within the festival framework, a wide range of activities are organised, including street festivals, coffee fairs and exhibitions, experiential tours of coffee plantations, free coffee tasting, and Gong cultural exchanges. The festive atmosphere spreads across the streets, attracting large numbers of domestic as well as international visitors.

Another unique cultural feature is Bunpimay, the traditional New Year festival of the Lao community living in border areas, particularly in Buon Don commune. During the celebration, residents conduct rituals alongside cultural performances, Lam Vong dances and the enjoyment of traditional cuisine.

The western part of the province also hosts cultural festivals of northern ethnic groups, such as the Hang Po Festival in Ea Drong commune, the Viet Bac folk culture festival in Ea Ning and Tam Giang communes, also the Ea Sien love market in Ea Sien commune, all serving as attractive destinations for visitors.

The presence of diverse festivals, from coastal areas to the Central Highlands, has enriched the cultural landscape of Dak Lak. These are not only traditional cultural events but also important tourism resources. Linking festivals with promotional activities, experiential tourism and local products is opening up new directions for the province’s tourism sector.

Translated by KHUONG THAO