Krong Pak Durian Festival blends culture and cuisine, with a record-breaking parade and durian tastings in Vietnam's Dak Lak province
The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak recently hosted its second Krong Pak Durian Festival from August 31 to September 2, transforming the district into a vibrant hub of cultural and culinary celebrations. The festival, themed "Krong Pak Durian - Development and Integration," featured a range of exciting activities, including street parades, traditional ao dai processions, and food events that highlighted the region’s agricultural and cultural heritage.
Among the festival's 12 main events, visitors were treated to a dynamic street festival, a race promoting public health, and an ethnic cultural and culinary showcase. One of the standout attractions this year was a 120-meter-long fabric dragon adorned with durian images. This impressive dragon set a new record as the longest of its kind in Vietnam, symbolizing the district's deep connection to the durian industry.
Krong Pak District, known as the durian capital of Dak Lak, boasts over 7,157 hectares dedicated to this unique and aromatic fruit. The festival not only celebrated the local durian harvest but also aimed to promote the sustainable development of the durian industry, linking it with tourism and cultural preservation. Ngo Thi Minh Trinh, vice chairman of the district People's Committee, emphasized the event's significance in fostering long-term growth for local farmers and the broader community.
Visitors had the opportunity to tour local durian gardens, where they could sample fresh durian straight from the source. The combination of cultural festivities and culinary experiences attracted a diverse crowd, continuing the success of the festival’s first edition in 2022, which welcomed 60,000 domestic and international guests.
Durian, often called the "king of fruits," is cherished for its distinctive flavor and aroma, making it a beloved delicacy across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. As the Krong Pak Durian Festival grows in popularity, it continues to play a crucial role in celebrating and promoting this iconic fruit within the region and beyond.
