Attached to community life for a long time, the Forest Gratitude Festival held annually at the beginning of the year also reflects how people in mountainous areas perceive and treat nature, where forests play an important role in livelihoods and life. From the foundation of cultural, sports, and tourism activities of the mountainous region of Quang Nam in the past, Tay Giang district (old) has integrated with traditional festivals to create a unique event. When administrative boundaries changed, Hung Son commune continued to maintain and promote festivals as an annual cultural activity.
In the space of the great forest, rituals take place in a solemn atmosphere, the sound of gongs and chiengs resonates far away, traditional dances are recreated as a way to retell the story of the community. Not only stopping at practicing beliefs, the festival is also an opportunity for the younger generation to understand more and continue the cultural values passed down.
In addition to its cultural significance, the festival also opens up the experience of exploring heritage forests. Original forests with ancient pomu populations create a unique face for this land. Many trees are named by people in a close way, showing long-term attachment. The increasing number of regenerated trees also shows effectiveness in forest protection, thereby creating conditions for developing ecotourism and improving livelihoods.
However, the process of cultural preservation still faces many obstacles. Modern life makes some customs, languages and traditional crafts gradually fade away. Unfavorable transport infrastructure also partly limits the ability to attract tourists.
From that reality, linking cultural preservation with economic development, promoting community tourism and strengthening teaching is a necessary direction. When people participate proactively and are supported appropriately, cultural values will be sustainably maintained. The Forest Gratitude Festival is therefore not only a New Year's ceremony but also shows the harmony between preservation and development, and at the same time opens up a direction to replicate for many other highlands.
