Press conference: 244 events, cultural and sports activities to take place in National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026
WVR - On the afternoon of March 5, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of Gia Lai Province hosted an international press conference to provide information about the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van presided over the meeting.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van presided over the international press conference to provide information about the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
According to Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van, the National Tourism Year is a prominent national-scale tourism and cultural event, held annually under the government's direction. The event plays a crucial role in introducing and promoting the destination's image and unique tourism products; honoring Vietnam's tangible and intangible cultural values; fostering tourism development links between localities; attracting domestic and international tourists, thereby contributing to economic and social development.
Amidst the ongoing recovery and growth of global tourism, the tourism market is entering a fiercely competitive phase. Many countries worldwide have adopted new approaches, launching large-scale promotional campaigns and meticulously planned stimulus programs. Vietnam's tourism stands out as a bright spot in the recovery landscape (with a recovery rate of nearly 120%) and growth of approximately 21%.
Building on the positive growth of 2025, 2026 is identified as a pivotal time for Vietnam's tourism to seize opportunities, enhance competitiveness, and set larger, more specific goals, aiming to welcome about 25 million international visitors.
Elevating the national tourism brand globally
The Deputy Minister noted that organizing the National Tourism Year of Vietnam in this context holds significant importance, not only to promote the image of the country and its people but also to stimulate the market, activate regional linkages, innovate products, improve service quality, and elevate the national tourism brand globally.
Based on registrations from localities and criteria for selecting the National Tourism Year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism chose Gia Lai—a locality with ample development space, natural resources, cultural identity, and political determination—to host the National Tourism Year 2026.
With an area of over 21,500 km² (the second largest in the country) and a population of about 3.5 million, Gia Lai Province holds a strategic geographical position, serving as a bridge between the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands. Its expansive development space, diverse transportation system including road, air, sea, and international border gates, facilitates trade, regional connectivity, and tourism development. Gia Lai boasts a rich and diverse tourism resource, harmoniously combining natural landscapes, islands, highlands, and unique cultural values.
Gia Lai is also home to many significant cultural values with national and international resonance, such as: The Central Vietnamese Bai Choi Art - an intangible cultural heritage of humanity; The Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands - an intangible cultural heritage of humanity; Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts, Hat Boi - a national intangible cultural heritage; Roc Tung - Go Da Relics (a special national relic); Kon Ka Kinh National Park - an ASEAN Heritage Park; notable volcanoes like Chu Dang Ya, Bien Ho, Ham Rong Mountain; Cham towers; Phuong Mai Peninsula - Ky Co - Eo Gio; the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education along with Vietnam's largest observatory.
Notably, Quy Nhon was selected by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 25 destinations in the world for 2026; Tripadvisor, the global travel platform, ranked it 4th in the list of 25 trending destinations worldwide in the 2026 Travellers' Choice Awards; and it earned the title of ASEAN Clean Tourist City 2026, further affirming the allure and prominent position of this region on the regional and global tourism map.
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| Overview of the international press conference providing information about the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
The National Tourism Year themed Gia Lai - Đại ngàn chạm biển xanh - Gia Lai - Mountains embrace the sea not only symbolizes the expanded geographical space post-merger but also conveys a strategic message about the harmonious connection between highlands and islands, between majestic nature and unique ethnic cultural identity, rich in gong culture, epics, and between conservation and development.
Diverse activities and experiences
At the press conference, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Gia Lai Province, shared that the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026 is expected to host 244 events, including tourism, cultural, and sports activities. Of these, 18 activities will be led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; 109 by Gia Lai Province; and 117 supportive activities by 22 centrally governed provinces and cities.
The scale and nature of these activities demonstrate that the National Tourism Year 2026 is not a single event but a year-long series of meticulously prepared programs, supported and connected by central ministries, localities, and the business community nationwide.
The National Tourism Year activities include festivals, cultural, sports, promotion, media, market connection, product, investment, community activities, creativity, and experiences, implemented quarterly to ensure continuity, diversity, and appeal:
Quarter I: Gia Lai - New Day, kicks off with meaningful events such as the announcement of the national tourism year, the Gia Lai - Welcome New Year 2026 Countdown program linked to the first flight reception; the Gia Lai Tet - Spring Binh Ngo 2026 series...
Quarter II: Gia Lai - Fascinating Destination, marks the peak period with the Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2026; activities aimed at promoting the destination's image, enhancing connectivity, attracting investment, and fostering professional and sustainable tourism development.
Quarter III: Gia Lai - Experience the Land of Martial Arts, continues with vibrant activities like the Summer Tourism Festival "Gia Lai - Fascinating Destination"; VnExpress Marathon 2026 International Run; Golden Kite Film Festival..., thereby diversifying products and attracting tourists during the peak season.
Quarter IV: Gia Lai - Touch the Gong Rhythm, Touch the Soul of the Central Highlands, focuses on events rich in cultural identity, such as: International Gong Festival in the Central Highlands; Wild Sunflower - Chu Dang Ya Volcano Week; Closing Ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2026..., creating a summary mark and affirming Gia Lai's tourism brand.
The Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026, themed Mountains embrace the sea, will be held in Quy Nhon Ward, Gia Lai Province, in March 2026. The closing ceremony will take place in Pleiku Ward, Gia Lai Province, at the end of December 2026.
The highlight of the National Tourism Year 2026 is not just the number of activities but the affirmation of Gia Lai's tourism brand associated with unique ethnic identity, a seamless, deep, and sustainable connection journey, based on cultural values and genuine emotions about a pristine highland space connected with the blue sea.
In March, a series of events will take place with the Opening Week of the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026 (from March 23-30 in communes and wards across Gia Lai Province). The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television (VTV) and Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio, Television (GTV). Besides the ceremony, an art program themed Gia Lai - Mountains embrace the sea will be meticulously staged, accompanied by fireworks (low or high altitude).
The Gia Lai Province Investment Promotion Conference 2026 will be held on March 28 at the Provincial Conference Center, Quy Nhon Ward, Gia Lai Province.
The conference is expected to grant Investment Policy/Investment Registration Certificates for: 40 projects in the Industrial sector; 16 projects in the Energy sector; 13 projects in Real Estate and Urban Economy; 17 projects in Infrastructure Construction; 14 projects in Trade, Service - Tourism; 22 projects in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
Additionally, the investment promotion activities will include: Investment, trade, and tourism promotion booths combined with displaying the province's OCOP products; Gia Lai 2026 Economic Tourism Development Forum; Gia Lai Aviation Tourism Workshop Series 2026; the second International Workshop on Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds (MPNP2026); Signing cooperation agreements with Southern Laos provinces and Northeast Cambodia provinces; Welcoming Ambassadors and Consuls General participating in the Spring Friendship Tour program marking the opening of the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026...
According to the organizers, the opening series will feature programs for tourists such as: Gia Lai Tour Coffee to promote the coffee production chain/agricultural tourism, green experience; Gia Lai Culinary Essence 2026 program introducing cuisine with signature dishes from Gia Lai Province; Sports activities like cycling races, traditional boat races, martial arts competitions...
"The year 2026 marks the first year of the new term, as Gia Lai Province implements the Resolution of the 14th National Congress and the 1st Congress of the Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee, identifying tourism as one of the five pillars of the province's economic development, promoting growth while spreading cultural - social values and conserving resources.
The organization of the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026 holds special significance, serving both as a promotional activity to showcase the destination's image and as a strategic start, creating momentum for achieving tourism development goals at the beginning of the term, affirming Gia Lai's political determination to make tourism a key economic sector, contributing practically to the sustainable socio-economic development of the locality," emphasized the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Gia Lai Province.
