Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Gia Lai Province, nestled in the mountains of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, is striving to become a renowned regional and international tourist destination, leveraging its unique natural landscapes, rich ethnic culture, and sustainable tourism development philosophy. The hosting of the National Tourism Year in 2026 presents a crucial opportunity for its development.
Gia Lai Province boasts exceptional natural endowments: the "Eye of Polai" – Thanh Ngung Lake – reflects the surrounding mountains and waters; the magnificent Phu Quoc Waterfall is majestic; the unique volcanic landscape of Chu Dang A (with its wild chrysanthemums blooming in November and December attracting visitors); and tea plantations and lakeside tea plantations stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a pristine and poetic natural panorama. Culturally, it is home to the Gia Lai and Ba Na ethnic minorities, among others. The "Central Highlands Gong and Gong Cultural Space," a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, serves as its core identifier, and traditional festivals such as the New Rice Festival and the Rain Festival showcase the mystical charm of the highlands. Community ecotourism is becoming increasingly distinctive, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in villages and experience rice planting, brocade weaving, bamboo-tube wine tasting, and traditional folk dances, immersing themselves in ethnic culture and contributing to the preservation of traditional skills.
Gia Lai province has recently garnered international recognition: in November 2025, Quy Nhon, one of its districts, was selected as one of Lonely Planet's 25 Best Travel Destinations for 2026; and in late January 2026, Quy Nhon was named an ASEAN Clean City for the third time. This city, boasting a curved coastline, golden beaches, and clear waters, is hailed as Gia Lai's "Muse" and is the province's core tourism asset.
The 2026 National Tourism Year, themed "Gia Lai - Vast Forests and Blue Oceans," marks a milestone in Gia Lai's tourism development. Through a series of cultural and tourism activities, Gia Lai will further highlight its resource advantages, create distinctive tourism brands, strengthen regional collaboration and international promotion, and drive green and sustainable tourism development. This move will not only attract more domestic and international tourists and boost local economic growth, but will also inject momentum into the overall improvement and efficiency of Vietnam's tourism industry, helping Gia Lai to accelerate its development into an international highland tourist destination that combines natural beauty and cultural charm. (End)
