The days of intense elephant races and competitive games are long gone, and the 2025 Buon Don Elephant Festival embraced a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Over Tuesday and Wednesday, elephants donned colorful traditional costumes and paraded with cheer from tourists.
A fruit buffet was a highlight, set up in an open space decorated with flags and wind chimes. The tables were filled with a variety of fruits, and tourists enjoyed feeding the elephants and taking photos.
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| A young girl, dressed in the traditional costume of the Ede ethnic minority, feeds an elephant. The Buon Don Elephant Festival, held in March 2025, embraced a more sustainable and humane approach to celebrating these gentle giants. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre |
Y Lit Ksor, a 52-year-old elephant trainer, shared his 20-year journey with elephants, highlighting their familiarity with festival noise and atmosphere.
The festival offered a range of exciting activities beyond the buffet. An elephant decoration contest showcased six elephants and twelve trainers, each with a unique style, creating a vibrant cultural display.
A morning health blessing ceremony for the elephants at Bay Rong Water Station also attracted tourists.
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| A young girl in traditional attire poses with giant elephant decorations, symbolizing the shift towards a more sustainable and friendly festival. Photo: The The |
Nguyen Son, a 53-year-old local, noted the absence of activities like elephant rides and soccer but praised the focus on animal health. Y Si That Ksor, vice-chairman of Buon Don District, emphasized the event’s lasting impression as a model of sustainable and humane tourism.
“These positive changes will make Buon Don a nature and animal lover’s paradise,” he said.
The festival’s history dates back to 1982, honoring the profession of hunting and taming wild elephants. From 2000 to 2016, it grew with races, soccer, and tug-of-war, attracting large crowds.
However, concerns for elephant welfare led to a shift in 2019. Buon Don halted elephant labor in 2023, and the festival now focuses on conservation, health blessings, parades, and fruit buffets.
This year’s event connected sustainable tourism, local culture, and elephant protection in the Central Highlands, a step towards a brighter future for these gentle giants.
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| Tourists capture memories with the decorated elephants, a symbol of the festival’s new direction. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre |
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| The winner of the elephant decoration contest, a celebration of cultural heritage and a step towards a brighter future for elephants in Vietnam. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Elephants adorned with vibrant decorations, a visual testament to the festival’s commitment to cultural preservation and elephant welfare. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre |
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