On 25th November 2005, the UNESCO decided to recognize "The cultural space of gong in the Central Highlands" of Vietnam as "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". The Central Highlands gong culture emerged from long-standing cultural and historical traditions of ethnic communities living in the region. Illustrating talented cultural creativeness of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, the gong culture is level to other masterpieces of human creativity.  

The ethnic groups in the Central Highlands have obtained thorough understanding and fine techniques of gong usage in their culture and music. As for ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, gongs and gong culture present a means to affirm the community and its cultural identities. As time went by, gongs have become an attractive and appealing symbol of the culture of the Central Highlands. The custodians of the space of gong culture in the Central Highlands are the ethnic groups of Bahnar, Brau, Chu Ru, K'Ho, E De, Gia Rai, Gie-Trieng, Ma, M'nong, Ro Mam, Xo Dang, Cham, Raglai, Bru-Van Kieu, Ta Oi, Coh, Hre, Cho Ro, X'tieng and Co Tu. The Central Highlands' gongs, together with the epics, the treasure of folklore, folk sculpture and folk knowledge, constitute the unique cultural heritage that have attached to the life of the highlanders over thousand years.