Melody spreads Dong Nai identity

The song "The sound of pestles on Bom Bo village" by musician Xuan Hong was performed by Dong Nai artists to serve the people. Photo: My Ny

Many works have succeeded in bringing the image of Dong Nai integration and development closer to the public. Through each melody, love for the homeland is nurtured, Dong Nai identity is spread, contributing to enriching the spiritual life of all classes of people.

Musical heritage - breath from the roots

Dong Nai is a land rich in cultural traditions, a place where many unique art forms converge. Among them, Southern amateur music is an art form recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In localities in the province, the sounds of the zither, the fiddle, and the smooth lyrics of amateur songs still resonate in community activities. In addition, the folk songs of the Stieng, Ma, and Choro people contribute to creating the unique identity of Dong Nai.

Musician Dieu Duoc, a son of the Choro people (Thong Nhat commune), is one of the prominent figures who has contributed to bringing the music of ethnic minorities in Dong Nai closer to the public. Most of his songs are a smooth combination of modern music and folk songs, especially Choro folk songs. Notable works include: The Choro people remember Uncle Ho's gratitude, Electric light returns to Choro village, Love on the fields, Spring fire...

“Folk music is the soul of the village, the “breath” from the source, persistently nurturing the souls of Dong Nai people through many generations. I always want to preserve and convey that spirit into my compositions so that today’s young people can be proud of and more attached to their homeland” - musician Dieu Duoc shared.

The strong vitality of Dong Nai music lies not only in the traditional folk treasure, but also in the continuity and creativity of many generations of musicians. With a strong creative force, generations of musicians and artists of Dong Nai such as: Tran Viet Binh, Cao Hong Son, Khanh Hoa , Tran Tam, Le Hang, Doan Quang Trung, Quang Thuyet, Nguyen Van Luan, Ha Cong Chinh... have been diligently writing new melodies for many years, following in the footsteps of predecessors such as Hoang Viet, Xuan Hong, creating musical works, meeting the expectations of the public.

“Dong Nai music today is a continuation of tradition and creativity, both preserving its roots and blending with new life. It is this exchange that has created a lasting influence, nurturing pride in one’s homeland in each person.”
Musician Le Hang, Deputy Head of Music Department, Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association

On the creative journey, Dong Nai music has integrated with the contemporary flow. Many songs have carried the breath of the times, reflecting the industrialization, modernization, and aspirations of this dynamic land. Melodies praising industrial park workers, images of laborers working day and night to build, or songs filled with faith in a bright future have become special highlights in the local musical life.

Musician Cao Hong Son, author of many songs about Dong Nai, once affirmed: “Composing about the homeland is an urge from the heart. Each song about the land and people of Dong Nai is not only music, but also a message of love and responsibility of the artist towards the land that has nurtured him”. It is this urge that has created a musical stream that is both rich in identity and full of modern vitality.

New rhythm of life in the integration era

For music to truly spread, there must be stages for the public. For many years, Dong Nai has maintained and developed a variety of cultural and artistic activities: amateur music festivals, mass art performances, music programs for students, cadres, soldiers, ethnic minorities, etc. These programs not only contribute to promoting new works but also create an environment for young artists to try their hand and affirm their style.

Many young artists and singers from Dong Nai have made their names on the big stage, bringing with them the pride of their homeland. Many know how to incorporate folk elements into new works, creating musical products that are both familiar and creative. In particular, in the digital age, social media channels have become a “launching pad” for young people from Dong Nai to bring their hometown music closer to the domestic community, even reaching out internationally.

Musician and pianist Vu Dang Quoc Viet, a native of Long Khanh, living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the young pioneers in bringing music to the digital environment. Many of his albums such as Sound Of Silence, Three Minutes, etc. were released online and quickly received the attention of the public. With a modern style, harmoniously combining classical music and contemporary breath, Vu Dang Quoc Viet has affirmed his own mark, introducing the image of young Dong Nai artists to the world public.

In celebration of the 16th Vietnam Music Day - 2025, Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association organized the program Dong Nai welcomes the new era. Many songs about Dong Nai such as: Return to Bom Bo village, Binh Phuoc on the day of visiting, Lotus blooming airport, Dinh Quan land of love... were introduced to the audience through the voices of artists and singers in the province.

According to People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, Vice President of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, President of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, in recent times, the association has always focused on creating a creative environment, encouraging generations of artists to stick together and contribute to spreading Dong Nai music more and more widely. In particular, the association has coordinated with units and localities to organize creative camps, competitions... Many new works have been created not only to serve political tasks and serve the spiritual life of the people, but also to contribute to promoting the image and spreading the identity of Dong Nai.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202509/giai-dieu-lan-toa-ban-sac-dong-nai-5e82eba/