Stories of the historians of the Dong Nai region.

As a land rich in historical and cultural landmarks, Dong Nai not only boasts historical sites and heroic achievements, but also has people who have been quietly preserving and recounting the stories of their history and homeland.

More than simply passing on memories through words, writings, and artifacts, the storytellers of Dong Nai's history breathe life into the past, making this land more vibrant and relatable to today's younger generation.

From vivid "pages of history"...

At 75 years old, writer Khoi Vu - Nguyen Thai Hai (residing in Trang Dai ward, Dong Nai province) continues to diligently write and publish dozens of books about the history, culture, and people of Dong Nai. He is one of the special "storytellers," using literature to record historical stories, connect memories, and inspire the younger generation. Although his eyesight has faded somewhat, when talking about Dong Nai, he enthusiastically recounts his field trips, encounters, and emotions upon launching a new book. Of his 79 published books, 42 are about the land of Dong Nai.

Notable works include: Following the Flow of the Dong Nai River; the novels Sword Flower, Luoc River in the South; the five-volume comic book series Famous Figures of Dong Nai, including: Nguyen Huu Canh - the pioneer of the South, Thu Huong building floating houses on the river, Tran Thuong Xuyen establishing the trading port of Cu Lao Pho, Trinh Hoai Duc - a great cultural figure of Dong Nai, and Nguyen Tri Phuong - a loyal and valiant official… Writer Nguyen Thai Hai has been and is continuing to complete works such as: Noblewomen (writing about noblewomen during the time of the first Nguyen lords in Southern Vietnam); the book series Vietnamese Landscape; Legend of the Buong River…

"When students can see, read, and touch the history of Dong Nai firsthand, it will be more deeply ingrained in their minds than any lecture."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School (Trang Dai Ward)

Writer Nguyen Thai Hai said: “History is often considered a dry and difficult subject to remember. Instead of just giving students pages of historical documents about Dong Nai province filled with numbers, I chose to ‘tell stories’ to make it easier for them to understand. Wherever I go, I connect place names with specific characters and events. For example, when I go to Tam Hiep ward, I tell the story of Doan Van Cu and his 16 soldiers; in Bien Hoa ward, I tell the story of the famous general Nguyen Tri Phuong; in Long Phuoc commune, I tell the story of Commander Nguyen Duc Ung and the Battle of Ky Giang Fortress…”

While writer Nguyen Thai Hai uses literature to recount the history of Dong Nai, musician Tran Viet Binh (91 years old) chooses music as a bridge connecting the past with the present. He not only composes but also spends many years collecting and researching folk songs of ethnic minorities in Dong Nai in particular, and the Southeast region in general. For him, each melody, each rhythm carries within it a part of the soul and essence of the community's history.

In his small house in Tran Bien ward, the "archive" of music and folk songs of ethnic minorities that musician Tran Viet Binh has accumulated has become a "living museum." There, one finds not only written records and music collections, but also the imprint of his long field trips. Not stopping at collecting, he also brings these folk melodies back into contemporary life through performances and teaching them to young people. He believes that only when traditional music lives on with the breath of today will the historical and cultural value of Dong Nai truly spread.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Du (far right, residing in Thong Nhat commune) recounts the history and culture of the Muong people through wood carving.

Through wooden sculptures and miniature stilt houses, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Du (residing in Tan Lap hamlet, Thong Nhat commune) is quietly recounting the history and culture of the Muong people in Dong Nai province. Each work is not only a piece of art but also contains a story about the customs, beliefs, labor, and daily life of a community. Viewers, especially young people, can imagine an entire old way of life through each detail he recreates. According to Mr. Du, this is how the history of the Muong people can not only be "seen," but also "touched."

“Carving wooden statues (statues of shamans, Muong girls playing gongs and pounding rice), and making models of traditional Muong stilt houses are not simply about preserving memories, but also a way of telling stories to future generations about where they come from. Each statue is a reminder of identity, each stilt house is a page of history preserved in wood, bamboo, and rattan. Thanks to this, the story of the Muong people does not fall into oblivion amidst modern life,” Mr. Du shared.

…to bringing history closer to students

Beyond simply creating, collecting, or conducting fieldwork, many people dedicate their efforts to transforming history into a vibrant learning experience, accompanying the younger generation and helping them access culture and history in a lively and relatable way.

For many years, writer Nguyen Thai Hai has collaborated with organizations and schools inside and outside the province to organize talks, exchanges, and storytelling sessions about the history and culture associated with the land and people of Dong Nai for students. In particular, he actively writes books for young people. With each new work published, he always donates hundreds of copies free of charge to students in schools and to school libraries.

Artist Nguyen Van Binh, a lecturer at Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts (Tran Bien Ward), actively participates in compiling local art education books for students in Dong Nai. His books are included in the curriculum for junior high school students (grade 6). In addition, he has adapted the content of these books into artistic works that tell stories about the history and culture of Dong Nai, helping students and the public easily visualize and appreciate the essence of the region, rediscovering traditional crafts, festivals, famous figures, and ancient customs of Dong Nai.

With the desire to preserve and pass on history through art, many have transformed history into vivid, relatable stories, so that the younger generation can love, be proud of, and be more aware of their national origins. This is also how storytellers in Dong Nai contribute to extending the flow of tradition, continuing to spread it in today's life.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202508/chuyen-nhung-nguoi-ke-lich-su-vung-dat-dong-nai-8f714f2/