During the days of the Cham Ethnic Cultural Festival in Khanh Hoa province, the festive atmosphere was not only vibrant at the central square with its series of unique cultural and artistic activities. The festival's strong influence also prompted a large number of visitors to head to historical sites and traditional craft villages to directly explore the long-standing cultural values of the Cham people. This is a very positive signal for the local cultural tourism industry, which has recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers compared to normal days. Each experiential journey is not merely a sightseeing trip but also contributes significantly to bringing heritage closer to the contemporary public.
At the ancient Po Klong Garai tower complex, the relic site remained bustling with visitors throughout the festival days. Each day, this landmark welcomed over 1,000 domestic and international tourists coming to learn about its architectural art, history, and unique spiritual values. Many young visitors mentioned they learned about the tower through social media platforms like TikTok or through friends' recommendations and were truly overwhelmed by the mysterious brick-bonding techniques used by the ancients. Notably, the relic site has now systematically applied digital technology by arranging a QR code system, helping visitors easily self-access visual information about architecture and beliefs, thereby bringing the heritage to international friends in a smarter way.
In addition to the sacred tower complexes, the centuries-old traditional craft villages of the Cham people created no less of an attraction. At Bau Truc pottery village and My Nghiep brocade weaving village, the average number of visitors per day reached about 1,300, an increase of nearly 30% compared to normal days. Visitors were extremely delighted to personally watch skilled artisans demonstrate pottery-making techniques entirely by hand without using a turntable, or meticulously weave vibrant brocade textiles. To meet modern tastes, the handmade products here have been improved to be more compact and sophisticated in design, making it easier for visitors to choose items for decoration or as souvenirs. This series of vivid experiential activities has affirmed the enduring vitality of Cham cultural identity while becoming an impressive highlight on the tourism map.
