The 2008-10 project will focus on popularizing gong playing, training young gong performers, and reviving some traditional gong festivals in Dak Nong province.

The Vietnamese government would provide $43,000 for the project, said To Dinh Tuan, director of the province’s Department of Culture and Information.

UNESCO recognized the central highlands’ gong culture as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.

Gongs, although of unknown origin, are an integral part of ethnic minority cultures in Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong provinces in the highlands.

There are two main types of gongs – cong and chieng. Cong has a knob in the middle and delivers a deep bass sound, while the chieng is more melodious.

The gongs of Vietnam are distinguished by the way they are played. Each player carries a different drum measuring 25 to 80 cm in diameter.

Groups of three to twelve men and women play the gongs. Different arrangements and rhythms are adapted depending on whether it is a ritual sacrifice of bullocks, blessing of the rice, mourning, or harvest.

Tuan said Dak Nong was the first highlands province to get UNESCO funding to preserve its gong culture.

The Dak Lak administration recently approved a VND6 billion (nearly $372,000) project to preserve and promote its gong cultural heritage.

The project will provide 150 sets of gongs to cultural community houses for organizing gong festivals.

The central highlands provinces also plan to conduct gong training classes for a young generation of ethnic minority people and encourage the old to teach the young.

Reported by Ho Mien – Compiled by Thu Thuy