Vietnam will host the first international gong festival from Nov. 8 to 11 in the country's central highland province of Gia Lai, Vietnam News Agency reported Monday.

The festival will draw the participation of performers from countries such as Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia, said the report.

Gong is a musical instrument that takes the form of a flat metal disc which is hit with a mallet.

According to the report, the festival is to celebrate the gong culture of the central highland region of Vietnam. In 2005, the space of gong culture in the Central Highlands of the country was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a masterpiece of the intangible heritage of humanity.

The opening ceremony of the festival is expected to gather 3,000 performers in Gia Lai. The performance will tell a story about the history of the province and its ancient gong culture.

During the festival, many activities, including religious ceremonies accompanied by gong orchestras, contests, seminars and exhibitions will also be held.

Gong music is a part of culture in most East and Southeast Asian countries, said the report.

Source: Xinhua