Many schools in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong have begun teaching students about the area’s ancient gong culture in an effort to preserve and promote its traditional values.
Students in boarding schools in Cu Jut, Krong No, Dak Mil, Dak R’lap and Dak Song districts have learnt how to beat gongs and stage performances.
The unofficial subject has won an enthusiastic response from many students, as it helps them relax after stressful lessons while also educating them about the unique cultural heritage of their ethnic group.
Dieu Lam Doanh, a 12th grader at N’Trang Long boarding school in Gia Nghia town, said many gong teams have been set up at his school and he is one of many students who have learned the art.
According to To Dinh Tuan, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the subject’s popularity among students is a rosy sign for efforts to preserve local culture.
He added that the province also encourages schools to introduce other genres of arts such as folk dances and songs into extra-curricular activities.
The gong is a traditional musical tool of minority ethnic groups in Vietnam ’s Central Highland provinces.
The space of gong culture was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible and oral masterpiece of human culture in 2005.