Exploring our land

Buon Don Elephant Festival

During the 8th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, the Buon Don elephant festival in Krong Na commune, Buon Don district, is being held in an exciting new way.


The festival aims to honor the beauty of elephants and the traditional cultural values of the ethnic communities in the Central Highlands, while also demonstrating Dak Lak province's strong commitment to Animals Asia in caring for, protecting, and conserving elephants in a friendly and sustainable manner.

This year's Buon Don elephant festival is focused on fun, friendly activities that celebrate the beauty of elephants. These include elephant make-up contests, elephant beauty contests, elephant greeting performances, buffet parties for elephants, and opportunities for tourists to interact with the elephants in a friendly way.

However, competitive activities that could harm the health of the elephants, such as elephant racing, river crossing, elephant soccer, tug-of-war, and elephant parades on the streets, have been eliminated from the festival.

With this new and meaningful organization, tourists have the opportunity to witness the heroic, healthy, and adorable Central Highlands elephants who are friendly thanks to the care and protection they receive.

The lively, friendly, and cozy atmosphere of the Buon Don Elephant Festival. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
This year's Buon Don Elephant Festival has introduced a new format that avoids competitions and races, ensuring the elephants' well-being. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The festival organizers present souvenir gifts to the elephant teams. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
At the Buon Don elephant festival. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The well-behaved and friendly elephants at the festival. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The mahout gently pats and encourages his elephant. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The elephants from the Central Highlands enthusiastically raise their trunks, showing their excitement. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The elephants perform the gesture of bowing to greet the tourists. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The graceful and elegant greeting gesture of the giant elephant. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The majestic beauty of the elephants from the Central Highlands. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The friendly bond between the mahout and the elephant. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The elephants enter a sumptuous feast amidst the enthusiastic cheers of tourists at the Buon Don Elephant Festival. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The elephants enjoy delicious and favorite fresh food. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
A sumptuous feast prepared for the elephants. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
Tourists enthusiastically invite elephants to have delicious meals. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The elephants delight in the warm invitations extended by the tourists. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The well-behaved elephant accepts delicious food from the hands of a child. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
The elephants show friendliness and closeness when being pampered by tourists. Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNP
A gong performance by the artisans from the Central Highlands. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP
The traditional dance of young women from ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. Photo: Trinh Bo/VNP

By Thanh Hoa & Trinh Bo/VNP Translated by Hong Hanh

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