Dong Nai strives to bring reformed opera into schools

Dong Nai Art Theater performed the Cai Luong play Cai Quoc Chan Hung to welcome the 1st Congress of Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee, term 2025-2030. Photo: My Ny

Not only that, the theater also cooperates with schools in the province, bringing reformed opera into art education activities, creating opportunities for students to both access traditional cultural values and nurture their love for national art.

When cải lương comes closer to students

In mid-September 2025, the stage of Dong Nai Arts Theater was always lit up. Many cai luong plays and cai luong excerpts such as: Cai Quoc Chan Hung; Khoi Nguon; Hao Khi Hoan Chau; Oai Hung Su Ca... were and are being performed, serving a large audience, especially students.

It is worth mentioning that the students not only sat and watched but also talked directly with the artists, learned about the content of the script, the performing arts and the historical value of each cai luong play. It was this closeness that made many students who came to this art form for the first time excited and surprised by the emotional lyrics, accompaniment and acting of the artists.

Nguyen Hoang Nam, a student at Tan Buu Secondary School (Tran Bien Ward), shared: “Before coming to Dong Nai Art Theatre, my mother told me stories about Cai Luong. However, when I saw it live, I found it very interesting. The way the artists sang and performed helped me visualize more clearly the art, history, and patriotism. I hope the theatre will organize more performances like this so that we can have the opportunity to experience it more often.”

Vice Principal of Asia Bilingual Primary School (Tran Bien Ward) Nguyen Thi Anh Thu said: 2025 is the second year the school has organized an extracurricular program, bringing Cai Luong to students. The students are very excited because they not only get to watch the performance but also have the opportunity to listen to the artists share about their profession and learn about the backstage of the stage. After each performance, many students shared their feelings and wrote creative reviews. This is a form of experiential learning, helping students connect with culture and art in the most natural way.

Along with direct service on stage, Dong Nai Art Theater has recently proactively coordinated with schools, organized many mobile cai luong performances, and brought the stage into annual extracurricular activities. For example: Le Van Tam Primary School (Tran Bien Ward) organized the Program of Disseminating Southern Intangible Cultural Heritage to Primary Schools; Nghe Ngo Kindergarten (Trang Dai Ward) organized puppet shows combined with cai luong... These activities have been creating conditions for students to access traditional arts right in a familiar space, turning the school yard into a "miniature stage".

In celebration of the 1st Congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee, term 2025-2030, Dong Nai Arts Theater has been and is continuing to organize performances to serve audiences in the province. The highlight is the Cai Luong play Cai Quoc Chan Hung, which conveys the message of administrative reform, personnel work, and mergers to contribute to the development of the country.

Cultural Connection - Nurturing a New Generation of Audiences

Recently, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has coordinated with the Department of Education and Training, Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association to organize many extracurricular activities on traditional arts and music , serving schools in the province. This is not only a performance activity but also a part of a comprehensive education strategy for students, equipping them with knowledge about arts, promoting the value of traditional music and art of the nation.

Deputy Director of Dong Nai Art Theatre Nguyen Viet Bac said: The theatre always considers students as a special audience. They are not only viewers today but also "companions" of the stage in the future. "Sowing the seeds" of love for traditional arts right from school is the best way to preserve and develop Cai Luong sustainably. In the coming time, the theatre will continue to coordinate with schools and units to organize many performances for this audience.

For Dong Nai artists, performing and interacting with students is not only a mission to serve the community but also an opportunity to renew themselves.

Students in Tran Bien ward watch a reformed opera performance at Dong Nai Art Theater, September 2025.

Artist Thanh Vinh shared: “At first, we were worried that students would have little interest in Cai Luong. But when we saw them attentively watching and cheering enthusiastically, we were truly moved and had more motivation to continue with the profession.”

Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet, Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of the province, commented: “Bringing Cai Luong into schools is not simply an extracurricular activity, it is also a way to educate the young generation about humanistic values and love for their homeland and country. Dong Nai is on the right track when considering students as an important force to preserve and promote this unique art form.”

With persistent efforts, Cai Luong stage is gradually becoming a familiar spiritual food for the people, especially in the school environment of Dong Nai. From Cai Luong performances, exchanges with artists to direct experiences on stage, students not only approach cultural heritage but also instill pride and responsibility for traditional national art.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202509/dong-nai-no-luc-dua-cai-luong-vao-truong-hoc-2a97ee4/