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.

Tac Ka Coong Festival is a celebration held by the Co Tu ethnic people to offer thanks to the gods of mountains, forests, rivers and streams within the village, for bestowing upon their descendants a life of warmth, happiness, prosperity, bountiful harvests, and good health.

Inanimate pieces of wood have become magnificent unique works of art thanks to the skills and talents of artisans and sculptors. They have shown the beauty of the culture and life of the ethnic people of Co Tu in the mountainous district of Nam Dong.

After nearly 10 days of activity, the 1st Co Tu Ethnic Traditional Sculpture Creation Camp in 2023, hosted by the People's Committee of Nam Dong district, closed on July 29th. Many outstanding works of art were awarded by the organizers.