Dong Nai: Connecting cultures in schools

In order to spread traditional cultural values ​​and help students better understand their homeland's heritage, many cultural connection activities have been and are being strongly implemented by units and localities in Dong Nai province.

Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet speaks about the cultural figure Trinh Hoai Duc to students in Bien Hoa city at the Trinh Hoai Duc Mausoleum, Trung Dung ward, Bien Hoa city. Photo: L.Na

Introducing culture and art, especially traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music (ĐCTT) and cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera), into schools and historical sites not only helps students access folk art but also contributes to preserving the unique cultural values ​​of the locality.

Bringing culture and art into schools.

Recently, many schools in the province have collaborated with art organizations, local authorities, and cultural clubs to organize music and dance exchanges, introducing traditional theater, Cai Luong (traditional Southern Vietnamese opera), and other forms of Vietnamese folk music. Notable examples include: Le Van Tam Primary School, Nguyen Du Primary School, Asia Bilingual Primary, Secondary, and High School (Bien Hoa City); Truong Vinh Ky Primary, Secondary, and High School (Long Khanh City); Long Tho Secondary School (Nhon Trach District); Tran Phu Secondary School (Thong Nhat District), etc.

Most recently, on March 16th, the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai People's Club, chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Van Toi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, organized a gathering and exchange of Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera) performances and introduced traditional Cai Luong pieces at the Asian Bilingual Primary, Secondary, and High School. During the program, Cai Luong artists from Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, and Long Khanh shared their efforts in preserving and promoting the traditional art form of the nation.

With over 45 years dedicated to the arts and nearly 100 traditional Vietnamese folk songs (vọng cổ and ĐCTT), artist Trâm Oanh (residing in Tân Mai ward, Biên Hòa city) said she is very happy that there are increasingly more exchange programs bringing ĐCTT and cải lương (traditional Vietnamese opera) into schools and introducing them to students. In particular, many ĐCTT and cải lương competitions and performances in the province have attracted a large number of young people, including students. The increasing participation of young people shows that traditional art values ​​still have a strong appeal if conveyed in an appropriate and creative way.

During the 2024-2025 school year, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Department of Education and Training and the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, organized extracurricular activities on traditional arts and music in schools throughout the province. Specifically, the Dong Nai Arts Theatre and the Dong Nai College of Culture and Arts have been organizing performances of excerpts from Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera), theatrical plays, and typical music and dance programs reflecting the unique characteristics of the Southeast region in general and Dong Nai in particular, serving primary and secondary school students.

Historical site space - a vibrant cultural classroom.

Besides being held at schools, cultural exchange events are also organized at historical sites throughout the province, providing students with opportunities to engage with history and culture in a more visual way. A prime example is the exchange between Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet, Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Dong Nai province, and students in Bien Hoa city at the Trinh Hoai Duc Mausoleum.

During the exchange, Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet spoke with students about the life, career, and immense contributions of the renowned figure Trinh Hoai Duc to Vietnamese culture in general and Dong Nai in particular. The historical site became a vibrant living history classroom – a place where students not only absorbed knowledge from books but also had the opportunity to observe, experience, and interact directly. This helped them develop an awareness of appreciating and preserving the historical and cultural values ​​of Dong Nai.

Pham Dinh Quoc Bao, a student in class 6/1 at Tran Hung Dao Junior High School (Bien Hoa City), shared that this was his second visit to the Trinh Hoai Duc Mausoleum. Through the stories told by Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet, he gained a better understanding of Trinh Hoai Duc, a renowned official of the Nguyen Dynasty and a great cultural figure who left behind many valuable works, most notably the Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi (Chronicle of Gia Dinh City).

“The talk motivated me to participate in the video clip contest on the cultural figure Trinh Hoai Duc, organized by the City Youth Union and the City Department of Education and Training. I hope that through the video clip I create, I can spread the beautiful story of this cultural figure as well as the spirit of studiousness and continuous innovation – the values ​​that our ancestor Trinh Hoai Duc left behind,” said Quoc Bao.

Connecting cultures within schools in Dong Nai not only helps students gain more knowledge but also contributes to preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai region. Through these activities, the younger generation is directly exposed to traditional art, gains a better understanding of their national roots, and thus develops a sense of responsibility in preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the nation.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/dong-nai-ket-noi-van-hoa-trong-hoc-duong-20250325100103306.htm