The opening night of the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026 was spectacular, visually stunning, and filled with emotion.

The event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Gia Lai province, was broadcast live on VTV1 and other media platforms, attracting significant public attention. The opening night was not only the kickoff for a series of national-scale tourism events in 2026 but also a powerful opportunity to promote the image of Gia Lai's land and people to international friends.

Attending the opening night program, on the central government side were: Comrade Nguyen Thanh Nghi - Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Head of the Central Strategic Policy Committee; Comrade Ho Quoc Dung - Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Party, Deputy Prime Minister; representatives of ambassadors, consuls general, representatives of diplomatic agencies and international organizations; leaders of central committees, ministries and branches; and leaders of provinces and cities nationwide.

On the Gia Lai province side were: Comrade Thai Dai Ngoc - Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Pham Anh Tuan - Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Party, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Comrade Rah Lan Chung - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Comrade Chau Ngoc Tuan - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Comrade Nguyen Ngoc Luong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province; and other members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee. Leaders of the Provincial People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies; leaders of provincial departments, agencies, and organizations; and leaders of communes and wards in Gia Lai province.

A breathtaking scene at the opening ceremony site. Photo: baogialai.com.vn

In his opening remarks, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung stated that the Gia Lai National Tourism Year 2026, themed “The Great Forest Touches the Blue Sea,” represents a seamless connection between forest, sea, culture, and the aspiration for development. This is an opportunity to introduce to domestic and international friends a new, dynamic, friendly, and potential-rich Gia Lai; and to affirm the position of Vietnamese tourism as a key economic sector, making an increasingly important contribution to the country's overall growth. Through 244 diverse and unique activities, including 18 activities chaired by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 109 activities chaired by Gia Lai province, and 117 activities implemented by other provinces and cities, the event will honor traditional cultural values, promote scenic spots, foster regional linkages, attract investment, and develop new, distinctive tourism products. High quality.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung delivered the opening speech. Photo: Organizing Committee.

A large-scale, distinctive live art performance space

From the very first moments, the square lit up with an elaborately staged opening art performance, harmoniously combining sound, light, and modern projection technology.

The opening night was a riot of colors. Photo: Dung Nhan

“The vast forest touches the blue sea” is more than just a geographical intersection. It is the meeting of the spirit of the mountains and forests and the breath of the ocean; a journey from the majestic highlands to the poetic coastal region; a place where the sound of gongs connects the literary and martial arts realms; and a bridge linking a glorious past with a boundless future. The combination of the wildlife of the vast forest “touching” the vibrant colors of the ocean creates a harmonious beauty of nature. The intermingling of culture and people opens up a new, beautiful era of integration, modernity, and development.

Central Government leaders attended the opening ceremony. Photo: baogialai.com.vn

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan affirmed: Gia Lai Province is honored to host the Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026 with the theme “The Great Forest Touches the Blue Sea” – a richly evocative message, expressing the aspiration for connection, convergence, and development of the newly formed Gia Lai Province.

This is a particularly significant event, taking place at a time when Gia Lai Province was formed on the basis of the merger of Gia Lai and Binh Dinh provinces, opening up a new development space – where the vast highlands blend with the blue coastal sea, creating a unique and distinctive destination in Vietnam.

Chairman Pham Anh Tuan delivers a speech. (Image collected)

Comrade Pham Anh Tuan stated that Gia Lai possesses unique and distinctive values: It is the cultural space of the Central Highlands with its gongs, festivals, villages, and the martial arts and literary traditions of Binh Dinh, rich in history, culture, and islands; a harmonious blend of majestic nature and long-standing cultural depth.

The message "The Great Forest Touches the Blue Sea" is not just an image, but also a guiding principle for development: connecting resources, expanding space, diversifying products, and creating seamless and unique tourism itineraries from the forest to the sea.

Gia Lai recognizes that the National Tourism Year 2026 is a strategic boost, contributing to promoting regional linkages, attracting investment, improving infrastructure, enhancing service quality, and gradually making tourism a key economic sector of the province.

Provincial leaders attend the opening ceremony. Photo: baogialai.com.vn

“Gia Lai tourism is rooted in culture – nature is its strength – and people are its center.” We do not develop tourism by sacrificing it, but by preserving and enhancing the existing values ​​of Gia Lai's culture, nature, and people. And from that very source, Gia Lai chooses the path of sustainable development – ​​where culture is preserved, nature is cherished, and people are always at the center of all values,” Chairman Pham Anh Tuan emphasized the province's tourism development orientation.

On behalf of the provincial leadership, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee pledged that Gia Lai will successfully organize the National Tourism Year 2026 with a spirit of professionalism, safety, friendliness, and uniqueness, so that every visitor will feel the sincerity, distinctiveness, and memorable experience.

Thousands of spectators watched the opening ceremony. Photo: baogialai.com.vn

At the opening night program, using modern stage language combined with traditional cultural elements, the program vividly portrayed the unique cultural and historical landscape of Gia Lai. The resounding sounds of gongs and drums from the mountains blended with powerful dances, recreating the cultural space of the Central Highlands – a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The heroic spirit of Tay Son and the martial spirit of the "land of martial arts" were recreated through rich, energetic performances, evoking pride in the heroic historical tradition. From there, the emotional flow gently shifted to poetic and romantic scenes of the coastal region, a place where dreamy and lyrical beauty converges, associated with the names of talented poets such as Han Mac Tu, Che Lan Vien, Quach Tan, and Yen Lan.

The opening ceremony was spectacular.

Through the performances of "Touching the Light of Origin," "Touching the Spirit of the Great Forest," "Touching the Heroic Spirit of Tay Son," and "The Great Forest Touching the Blue Sea," the program guided the audience through a continuous emotional journey, from the origins to the present and towards the sustainable development and integration of Gia Lai.

In his congratulatory speech, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, acknowledged, highly appreciated, and commended the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Party Committee, government, and people of Gia Lai province for meticulously organizing the series of events to celebrate the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung delivers a directive speech. Photo: baogialai.com.vn

The Deputy Prime Minister stated: To realize the aspiration of a prosperous, happy, and thriving nation, especially to achieve double-digit growth to create momentum and strength for the coming years, the responsibility placed on the tourism industry is immense. He requested continued thorough understanding of the perspective of developing tourism into a key economic sector, persistently implementing the motto: "Unique products - Professional services - Convenient procedures - Affordable prices - Clean and beautiful environment - Safe and friendly destinations."

The Deputy Prime Minister urged the Party Committee and government of Gia Lai province, along with the national tourism industry, to focus on promoting cultural values ​​– the core foundation of tourism development. This includes thoroughly understanding Resolution 80-NQ/TW dated January 7, 2026, of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture and closely adhering to the Government's Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party.

The event generated immense excitement, attracting thousands of spectators to Nguyen Tat Thanh Square. (Image from collection)

“For Gia Lai, culture is not just found in immortal epics or the resounding sounds of gongs and drums; that heritage must truly be present in daily life, bringing livelihoods and prosperity to our people. We need a strong shift in thinking: unlocking and transforming heritage values ​​into development resources; harmoniously and subtly combining preservation in their original state with sustainable value promotion. Transforming the cultural space of gongs and drums, wooden architectural art, ancient villages, and traditional festivals into unique and highly competitive tourism experiences both domestically and internationally.

Simultaneously, Gia Lai needs to focus on mobilizing resources and comprehensively planning cultural, historical, and spiritual tourism complexes; making breakthroughs in developing the night economy, eco-agricultural tourism, green economy, and circular economy. The skillful intermingling and connection between the cultural identity of the Central Highlands and the expansive space of the Central Vietnam sea will create a unique journey.” "A multi-sensory experience that stirs emotions, retains tourists, and creates sustainable added value for the community" – Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung stated.

Quy Nhon shone brightly on the opening night. Photo: Dung Nhan

Referring to the use of innovation and digital transformation as a driving force for breakthroughs, the Deputy Prime Minister requested Gia Lai to closely follow Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, promoting the application of big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital platforms in the management, promotion, and development of tourism. In the long term, it is necessary to focus on shaping the 'Gia Lai Smart Tourism' model, ensuring deep integration into the national database system. This will create seamless and convenient connectivity, helping tourists fully enjoy services, transforming each trip into a truly emotionally resonant experience and delivering the highest level of satisfaction.

Emphasizing the principle that tourism development must absolutely not compromise the environment and cultural identity, the Deputy Prime Minister requested Gia Lai to be a pioneer in applying green economy and circular economy; strictly protecting the pristine landscape of the Central Highlands in conjunction with the coastal ecosystem. Building a safe, orderly, and civilized tourism destination; resolutely and thoroughly addressing negative behaviors and profiteering that harm the tourism brand. Simultaneously, urgently standardizing human resources and building a professional tourism workforce imbued with the generous and hospitable spirit of this land of "sea and mountains."

A key point emphasized by the Deputy Prime Minister is the development of a synchronous and modern tourism infrastructure, strengthening regional linkages and cooperation in tourism development. To realize the aspiration for breakthroughs, Gia Lai needs to create a truly open investment environment, providing the most favorable conditions to attract strategic investors and high-end tourists. Focus on mobilizing resources to complete a synchronous transportation infrastructure system, accommodation facilities, tourist areas, and high-quality service complexes of international standards, attractive enough to the high-end tourist segment seeking new, safe, and upscale destinations.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung expressed his confidence that, with its potential, advantages, and strong determination, Gia Lai province will successfully organize the National Tourism Year 2026, creating a breakthrough in tourism development and gradually becoming a center of unique ecological, cultural, and historical tourism in the country. The National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026 will be a significant highlight, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people, and creating momentum to boost socio-economic development in the new period.

A Mega Concert Explodes, Connecting Music, Tourism, and Culture

Following the opening art program was a Mega Concert, creating a vibrant, youthful, and modern atmosphere.

For the first time within the framework of the National Tourism Year, a grand concert featuring top young artists and many popular hits was held in Quy Nhon. The explosive performances and creative collaborations between artists stirred up the atmosphere, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to immerse themselves in a colorful music festival.

More than just an art program or a music night, the opening night of the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026 was truly a journey connecting music, culture, and tourism. It was where the vast Central Highlands met the blue sea of ​​Central Vietnam, where tradition and modernity intertwined, creating a vivid picture of a land rich in potential, rapidly developing.

Affirming its position as an attractive destination.

Chu Dang Ya Volcano. (Image source: collected)

With its professional organization, unique content, and strong ripple effect, the opening night contributed to affirming Gia Lai's position on the Vietnamese tourism map. The event opened up opportunities to promote regional linkages, attract investment, and develop tourism in a sustainable direction, gradually making Gia Lai an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists.

Quy Nhon coastline. (Image collected)

Concluding with brilliant highlights, the opening night of the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026 not only delivered impressive artistic moments but also ignited faith and expectations for a vibrant tourism year, contributing to spreading the image of Gia Lai – the land where "the vast forests touch the blue sea" – friendly, rich in identity, and full of aspirations for further development.