Dong Nai's culture: 50 years of pride.

Half a century after the country's reunification, Dong Nai has not only affirmed its role as a key economic region in the South, but has also transformed itself into a land rich in cultural identity.

The Dong Nai Arts Theatre performs for the public at the 2025 National Treasure Announcement Ceremony. Photo: L.Na

Despite facing many difficulties and ups and downs, the inherent strength embodying the unique position and identity of this land, which has been formed and developed for over 325 years, has become a solid spiritual foundation and a powerful resource for the development and integration of Dong Nai culture.

Building a cultural foundation from traditional values.

According to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, the Resolution of the 5th Central Committee Conference (8th term) affirms that culture is the goal and spiritual driving force of society, and that building an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity is the focus. This has created conditions for the sector to make new strides and achieve many accomplishments. Notable examples include the National Movement for Solidarity in Building a Culturally Rich Life, which is becoming increasingly in-depth and effective; and the development of activities in libraries, cinemas, mobile information services, museums, and historical sites.

In particular, implementing Resolution 12-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on building and promoting the cultural values ​​and human resources of Dong Nai as an important resource and driving force for comprehensive and sustainable development, many major programs have been implemented to raise awareness of the role of culture among cadres, Party members, and the people. Party committees, governments, and localities have made promoting cultural values ​​and human resources a central political task, while also strengthening propaganda and education throughout society.

Notably, the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites have been vigorously implemented. Historical relics such as the Bien Hoa Ancient Citadel, the Tran Bien Temple of Literature, and the Eastern South Vietnam Regional Party Committee Base are regularly restored and renovated. Traditional festivals such as the Sayangva Festival of the Chơro people, the commemoration of Lord Nguyen Huu Canh, and the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day are not only maintained but also enhanced in community life, igniting a flame of national pride in the hearts of today's generation.

According to Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bien Hoa City, since the reunification of the country, the city has achieved many encouraging results in the field of culture. Notably, urban beautification, road and transportation infrastructure have received comprehensive investment; the system of grassroots cultural and sports facilities has been renovated, upgraded, and diversified with various activities, creating favorable conditions for people to enjoy cultural and spiritual values.

“Alongside preservation, we are educating the younger generation about traditions. Schools are actively integrating local education programs, organizing visits to historical sites, and cultural experiences… Thanks to this, the spirit of ‘Drinking water, remembering the source’ is sustainably spread in every home and every generation of people in Bien Hoa - Dong Nai,” Mr. Thanh shared.

Currently, 100% of districts and cities in the province have district-level cultural, information, and sports centers; more than 92% of hamlets and neighborhoods have cultural houses and sports facilities, and there are 14 ethnic minority cultural houses, forming a widespread network serving the spiritual life of the people.

Cultural industries - a new driving force for sustainable development.

Entering the period of industrialization and modernization, Dong Nai province has identified the development of cultural industries as an essential direction, ensuring that culture not only holds spiritual value but also plays a driving role in economic development. Many major cultural events have been organized, such as the Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai Traditional Pottery Festival, programs promoting OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, and large-scale cultural festivals and art programs, contributing to the widespread promotion of the "Dong Nai culture" brand.

Students in Bien Hoa city visit Tran Bien Temple of Literature and participate in a group activity at the Dong Nai 50 Years of Flowers exhibition. Photo: Ai Van.

Moreover, the cultural sector has been actively promoting the application of digital technology in the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of cultural heritage, creating many new milestones such as: building 360-degree virtual reality tours of the Tran Bien Temple of Literature, the Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb, and the Nguyen Huu Canh Temple; constructing GIS maps of archaeological sites, digitizing rare documents… expanding access to heritage, especially for the younger generation who love technology.

Fifty years after the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country is not a very long period in history, but for Dong Nai, it has been a journey of powerful transformation, affirming the resilience and intelligence of the people of the South in the new era. From preserving core values, Dong Nai today is proactively integrating, selectively absorbing the best of world culture, enriching its local identity.

According to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, although there are still many challenges ahead, with the foundation already built, in the coming time, the sector will continue to effectively implement resolutions and plans on cultural development. It will strengthen the dissemination of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws on building and developing the culture and people of Dong Nai, meeting the needs of sustainable development.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202504/van-hoa-dong-nai-50-nam-tu-hao-e7a3645/