A Record Collection of 250 Gongs and the Journey to Preserve Heritage
Over more than 40 years of dedication, Most Venerable Thich Vien Thanh has searched for and collected 250 gongs belonging to indigenous ethnic minority groups of the Central Highlands. Through his collection, he aims to bring traditional cultural values closer to contemporary life.
The gongs of the Central Highlands are part of a vast socio-cultural and historical space encompassing numerous tangible and intangible cultural values. Alongside the spatial element—a factor deemed extremely important by UNESCO—the gongs of the Central Highlands also embody six core values: symbols of wealth and status, musical instruments, weapons and symbols of martial strength, ritual instruments, spiritual power, and vital energy. These six inherent core values, together with the natural environment (climate, ecology, soil, and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants) and the social space (religious life and life-cycle rituals), were among the key factors behind UNESCO's recognition of the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Recognizing the values that make the Central Highlands gongs a distinctive part of humanity's cultural heritage, Most Venerable Thich Vien Thanh—Abbot of Van Hanh Zen Monastery in Lam Vien Ward, Da Lat—has persevered in collecting gongs over many years to build a collection of 250 pieces reflecting the cultural, historical, and religious imprints of indigenous ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands. According to Duong Duy Lam Vien, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) and Director of the Vietnam Records Institute, the outstanding value of the 250-gong collection lies not only in the number of artifacts collected by Most Venerable Thich Vien Thanh, but also in his more than 40-year journey of searching for and preserving cultural artifacts from the past.
According to VietKings, Most Venerable Thich Vien Thanh's endeavors have contributed to raising public awareness of heritage preservation and appreciation, helping people realize that behind each artifact are stories of culture, history, and belief—spiritual values painstakingly preserved and passed down through generations. Each gong offers a glimpse into the culture and collective memory of indigenous ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands.
The diversity of the Central Highlands gong culture reflects the vibrant material life and rich spiritual traditions of local inhabitants. It also reflects the diversity and unity of Vietnamese culture and contributes to strengthening the country's cultural soft power and identity in the digital era.
Most Venerable Thich Vien Thanh's collection efforts go beyond showcasing the beauty and diversity of Central Highlands gong culture, serving as a bridge that brings the past closer to contemporary community life.