Thousands of tourists were thrilled to watch elephants leisurely enjoying a fruit buffet in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, on Wednesday.

Gone are the days of intense elephant races and competitive games.

The 2025 Buon Don Elephant Festival, which took place over Tuesday and Wednesday, was more relaxed and friendly compared to previous editions.

Elephants, draped in colorful traditional costumes, paraded amidst cheers from the tourists.

The fruit buffet was a highlight of the festival. The banquet area was set up in an open space, decorated with flags and wind chimes. 

The tables were laden with bananas, watermelons, papayas, pineapples, sugar cane, and sticky rice cakes. Many tourists were delighted to feed the elephants themselves and take photos.

Y Lit Ksor, a 52-year-old elephant trainer, shared that he had raised elephants for 20 years, and they did not need much training. 

They are already familiar with noise and the festival atmosphere.

In addition to the buffet, the fest featured many other exciting activities. 

Six elephants and twelve elephant trainers participated in an elephant decoration contest, with each elephant decorated in a unique style, creating a vibrant cultural display. 

Additionally, a health blessing ceremony for elephants took place early in the morning at Bay Rong Water Station, attracting many tourists.

Nguyen Son, a 53-year-old local resident, said the festival this year had no activities like riding elephants across rivers or elephants playing soccer, but the friendly activities helped keep the animals healthier. 

Y Si That Ksor, vice-chairman of the administration in Buon Don District, Dak Lak Province, said that the 2025 Buon Don Elephant Festival left a lasting impression with its model of sustainable, humane tourism.

"These positive changes will help Buon Don become a friendly destination for those who love nature and animals," he remarked.

The Buon Don Elephant Festival was first held in 1982, associated with traditional elephant races, honoring the profession of hunting and taming wild elephants.

From 2000 to 2016, the festival grew larger with activities such as elephant racing, soccer, and tug-of-war events, attracting tens of thousands of tourists each season.

Due to increased debate about the welfare of elephants, leading to calls for a change in the way the festival was organized in 2019, Buon Don officially halted all elephant labor activities in 2023 and the Buon Don Elephant Festival shifted its focus to conservation, featuring only health blessings, free parades, and fruit buffets for elephants.

This year, the festival was linked to sustainable tourism, local culture, and elephant protection in the Central Highlands.

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