The Katê Festival stands as a vibrant testament to the enduring cultural identity of the Cham people. — Photo Bảo Trung

NINH THUẬN — The People's Committee of Ninh Thuận Province has officially approved a comprehensive project worth over VNĐ10 billion (about US$400,000) to preserve and promote the Katê Festival, a nationally recognised intangible cultural heritage of the Chăm ethnic community.

Celebrated annually around September or October (under the Gregorian calendar), Katê is one of the most important spiritual and cultural events of the Chăm people.

Deeply rooted in traditional beliefs, the festival reflects the community’s profound sense of gratitude to deities and ancestors, while praying for favourable weather and abundant harvests. The festival takes place across various Chăm villages, in family homes and iconic Chăm towers such as Pô Klong Garai, Pô Rômê, and Pô Inư Nưgar. It typically features two components: solemn ceremonial rituals and lively festive activities including music, dance and sports.

Despite previous efforts to support the festival, infrastructure in certain areas remains underdeveloped — roads, ceremonial grounds and public facilities are still lacking. Recognising these challenges, the newly approved plan, for the period 2025–2030, aims not only to safeguard the core cultural values of Katê, but also to enhance the festival’s scale, infrastructure and overall visitor experience.

“We are committed to preserving the spiritual essence of the Katê Festival, which is a cultural soul of the Chăm people, while also developing it into a distinctive cultural tourism product,” said Vice Chairman of the Ninh Thuận People’s Committee, Nguyễn Long Biên. “This will help raise public awareness and attract more visitors to Ninh Thuận.”

The Katê Festival held at Po Klong Garai Tower attracts a large number of visitors from across Việt Nam and abroad. — Photo vietnamhoinhap.vn

In addition to this, Ninh Thuận plans to invest an additional VNĐ50-70 billion in infrastructure projects. These will focus on improving roads and facilities that connect to sacred sites associated with the festival, as well as the restoration and conservation of historical towers that serve as spiritual anchors for the Chăm people and Katê itself. These sites are considered living witnesses to Chăm history and integral to the ritual practices of the community.

Promotional efforts will also be intensified through various channels, such as social media, television, and international tourism platforms, to showcase the uniqueness of Katê to a global audience. These actions aim to elevate Katê from a local tradition into a symbol of cultural identity, intergenerational pride and sustainable cultural tourism. 

Ultimately, this ambitious project is expected to make Katê not only a cherished heritage of the Chăm people but also a signature event, which reinforces Ninh Thuận’s position as a vibrant destination for cultural exploration in Việt Nam. — VNS