Not only carrying spiritual meaning, the Forest Gratitude Festival of Hung Son commune, Da Nang city also shows the close relationship between people and the forest, the essential lifeline of the community.
Starting from the cultural - sports - tourism festivals of mountainous districts, Quang Nam in the past, Tay Giang district (old) has combined with the traditional cultural festival of the locality, organized into a cultural event, combined with ecotourism with a new name: "Forest Gratitude Festival". This festival was then maintained annually and continued to be inherited and promoted by the new commune of Hung Son, Da Nang City (after merger).
In the vast forest space, ceremonies are solemnly held. This year, this festival is held on weekends (May 4, 5). The sound of gongs and drums echoes, traditional dances are recreated, conveying messages of gratitude and conservation of nature. People not only practice their beliefs but also teach the younger generation the core values of cultural identity.
The highlight is the journey to explore the heritage forest with many experiential routes. Visitors get access to the primary ecosystem, where there is a large-scale ancient pomu population. Huge tree trunks, unique shapes create an impressive landscape. Many trees are named closely, reflecting the imagination and attachment of people to the forest.
Reality shows that the number of regenerated trees is increasing, proving that forests are being well protected. This is an important foundation for sustainable ecotourism development, while opening up livelihood opportunities for local people.
However, preserving traditional culture is facing many challenges. The changes of modern life are causing some customs, languages and traditional crafts to gradually fade away. The efforts of village elders and artisans still play a key role, but are not enough to create widespread changes. In addition, traffic is hindered, road infrastructure and bridges are heavily damaged after each rainy and storm season, leading to few tourists coming to this unique festival.
Reality raises the requirement to have appropriate policies, linking conservation with economic benefits. Maintaining festivals, opening teaching classes, combining community tourism and digital transformation is a necessary direction. When the community participates proactively and is properly supported, culture is not only preserved but also spreads sustainably.
The forest gratitude ceremony is therefore not only a ritual at the beginning of the year, but also a symbol of the balance between development and preservation. The efforts of the government and people in the highlands of Da Nang show the determination to protect forests, protect traditional culture to contribute to economic and tourism development for the locality is very sustainable. This unique feature needs to be replicated in highland and border areas not only of Da Nang.
