Promoting and spreading the culture of Dong Nai.

Besides being an economically dynamic region, Dong Nai is also a locality that focuses on preserving, promoting, and showcasing its cultural values ​​to the world.

Principal Phung Ngoc Long (second from the right) of Dong Nai College of Culture and Arts participates in a cultural exchange program in India in April 2025. Photo: Provided by the school.

In particular, international cultural exchange activities have contributed to spreading the art and identity of Dong Nai in the region and further afield to countries with strategic cooperative relations with Vietnam.

Preserving and promoting the value of UNESCO-recognized heritage sites.

The Dong Nai World Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO, is a source of local pride, not only for its ecological value but also for the important historical sites associated with it. It boasts three national historical sites: the Central Committee Headquarters of the Southern Region, the Eastern South Vietnam Regional Party Committee Headquarters, and the Suoi Linh tunnels; along with two provincial-level sites: the Anti-Aircraft Hill archaeological site and the Suoi Linh archaeological site. All of these combine to form a cohesive system rich in historical, cultural, and scientific significance.

Historical sites are not only significant locations for traditional education , but also valuable resources for the development of cultural and ecological tourism in Dong Nai. The fact that the cultural sector is advising the Provincial People's Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of this system of historical sites is a necessary step to safeguard heritage for future generations.

Besides its tangible heritage, Dong Nai also focuses on preserving and promoting the artistic value of Southern Vietnamese folk music (Don Ca Tai Tu) - an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO since 2013.

According to Do Thi Hong, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Cultural and Film Center, since the beginning of the year, the unit has organized many exchange activities, performances, and classes on traditional Vietnamese music and opera for artisans and cultural officials, as well as serving people inside and outside the province.

“The programs for the preservation and promotion of Southern Vietnamese traditional music, organized by the center in coordination with various units and localities, not only attract a large audience for live viewing but also spread strongly through online broadcasting on Facebook. This demonstrates the flexible combination of preserving traditional art and applying modern technology,” Ms. Hong said.

To effectively implement the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy until 2030 in Dong Nai province, the cultural sector has set forth many directions and tasks for 2025. These include strengthening cultural and sports exchanges with countries in the region, within the ASEAN community, and with countries that have traditional relations with Dong Nai, such as South Korea and Japan; and promoting communication and the image of Vietnam and its people through new approaches, especially the image and people of Dong Nai…

Strengthening international cultural exchange

In recent times, cultural and artistic units in Dong Nai have organized numerous visual propaganda and cultural exchange activities with countries in the region and internationally. These activities include: folk art performances with India; poetry exchanges with South Korea; art exhibitions; and fostering cooperation between art schools… Each activity serves as a “bridge” contributing to increased understanding, building trust and affection between nations, as well as strengthening the comprehensive and sustainable friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries in general, and Dong Nai province in particular.

The Dong Nai Cultural and Film Center is striving to preserve and promote the value of Southern Vietnamese folk music (Don Ca Tai Tu), which has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Photo: Do ​​Tuyen

Most recently, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Dong Nai art troupe participated in an art exchange and performance in India (from April 6th to 13th). During this trip, the troupe brought many folk art performances rich in Vietnamese cultural identity to audiences in New Delhi and Ahmedabad. Specific performances included: the "Forest Sound" dance – a song of the Northwest mountains; the "Golden Tray" dance of the Mekong Delta; the "Shining Ancient Tower" Cham dance; and the "Lotus" dance – a symbol of Vietnamese culture and spirit.

According to Phung Ngoc Long, Principal of Dong Nai College of Culture and Arts, the school has recently engaged in exchanges and cooperation agreements with several provinces and cities in South Korea. In particular, the recent participation in exchanges and performances in India aimed to strengthen and solidify cultural ties between India and Dong Nai province.

“The artistic performances left a deep impression on international friends, contributing to bringing Vietnamese folk dance art further on the world cultural map. Through this, we promote and spread Dong Nai culture, opening up many opportunities for cultural cooperation in the future,” said Mr. Phung Ngoc Long.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202505/quang-ba-lan-toa-van-hoa-dong-nai-4a01c6f/