On the morning of September 1, the 2026 Khe Tre Highland Market (third edition) under the theme ‘Spirit of Great Forest - Colors of Independence’ officially kicked off at the Co Tu Ethnic Traditional Cultural Village in Thuong Lo Village, Khe Tre Commune. The event offers visitors a space to experience the unique culture, cuisine, and specialties of the highlands during the National Day holiday (September 2).

On the afternoon of August 24, the Defense - Economic Unit 92, in coordination with the People’s Committee of A Luoi 4 Commune, held the closing ceremony for a free summer English course in 2026 for primary school students in the A So project area.

On April 26, at the Ethnic Cultural House of Khe Tre Commune, the program “Khe Tre Highland Market - First Session of 2026” took place under the theme “A Return to the Roots”, drawing large numbers of residents and visitors. This marked the second market session held by Khe Tre Commune since its administrative merger, further affirming its direction of linking economic development with the preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values of the Co Tu ethnic community.

The sound of gongs echoing through the mountains, the graceful spins of Pa Co and Ta Oi (ethnic groups) dances, once thought to belong only to the memory of old festivals, are now alive again in A Luoi 2. Here, a Co Tu girl named A Rel Thuy Linh, along with local youth, continue to nurture their passion, bringing the heritage of their homeland to life with vibrant performances that immerse audiences in the atmosphere of a true festival.

To Co Tu people, the new rice welcoming festival plays a very important role in their cultural and religious life, highlighting their ethnic cultural characteristics, their knowledge and their outlook of life and the world. That is the conclusion by experts in the process of preparing the dossier for recognition of the new rice welcoming festival of the Co Tu people in Nam Dong, Phu Loc, Hue as national intangible cultural heritage.

Culinary culture not simply is about food but also contains stories about the vibrant life of indigenous people. In the vast Truong Son mountains, the dishes of Ta Oi, Pa Co, Co Tu ethnic groups are rich with the flavors of the forest from available natural ingredients, combined with age-old secrets, creating unique values found nowhere else.

The husband-and-wife duo of Distinguished Artisans Ta Dur Tu and Areel Doi, residents of A Luoi District, have dedicated their lives to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values of ethnic minority communities. Over 40 years of tireless collection, research, and teaching have made them guiding lights in safeguarding traditional cultural identities for future generations.

"I want each of my works not only to be beautiful but also to tell a story about Co Tu people, their life, their beliefs and their traditional values left behind by their ancestors,” said Pham Van Ve, a 26-year-old man with a passion for portraying his ethnic identity through wood carving.

Every year, after the harvest and when people's lives are stable, the Co Tu ethnic group in A Luoi district joyfully prepares for the Tac Ka Coong festival, a sacred and special traditional festival. This is not only an occasion for the Co Tu people to express gratitude to nature and the gods but also an opportunity for the community to unite and affirm their cultural identity.

In Doi village (Thuong Lo Commune, Nam Dong District), there is a special man who quietly and diligently preserves and promotes the traditional values of the Cơ Tu ethnic group. This man is Pơloong Chướch, a senior artisan who has dedicated his entire life to the craft of weaving.