Building the urban cultural identity of Dong Nai

From the historic milestone of becoming the 7th city in the country (April 30, 2026), Dong Nai is entering a new phase of development with a strong aspiration to rise to the top.

Báo Đồng Nai•13/05/2026

Dong Nai City solemnly organized the commemoration ceremony for Lord Nguyen Huu Canh in Tran Bien ward - a national intangible cultural heritage. Photo: CTV.

Alongside economic development, Dong Nai is focusing on building a modern and integrated urban cultural identity. This is considered a solid spiritual foundation and an important endogenous resource for the city to break through and develop rapidly and sustainably in the new era.

Urban areas must embody the "soul" of Dong Nai.

In recent years , Dong Nai has witnessed rapid urbanization with a series of synchronized investments in transportation infrastructure, urban areas, and commercial centers. However, along with this strong development, the issue of preserving cultural identity within urban spaces has become increasingly urgent.

People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, Chairman of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, stated: "A city is not just a place to live, but also a place where history is crystallized, a cultural space, and the face of a province or city. In today's development, Dong Nai is facing a major demand: not only rapid development, but also development with identity, creating a distinctive highlight that bears the Dong Nai brand. This means that Dong Nai city should not only expand its space but also elevate its space. It must be a city with cultural depth, capable of creating its own unique mark in architecture, landscape, and community life."

"The construction of iconic structures characteristic of Dong Nai is essential. Among them, bridges not only serve the purpose of connecting transportation but can also become cultural and architectural symbols if properly invested in terms of concept and design," Mr. Ha shared.

According to researchers, the urban identity of Dong Nai today needs to be shaped by the core values of this land, which has been formed and developed for nearly 330 years. These include the riverine culture associated with the Dong Nai river system; the dynamic industrial tradition; historically valuable craft villages such as Bien Hoa pottery and Buu Long stone carving village; and the cultural exchange among communities from many regions, all reflecting the distinctive qualities of the people of Dong Nai: friendly, compassionate, civilized, and modern.

The Hoa An Bridge, connecting Tran Bien and Bien Hoa wards, is decorated to celebrate the establishment of Dong Nai city. Photo: Nguyen Anh Trong

Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Van Toi, Chairman of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association of Dong Nai City, stated: "The identity of Dong Nai cannot be separated from the identity of the Vietnamese people. The cultural identity and the people of Dong Nai must be linked to the past, respecting the past with depth, integrating diverse cultural sources, and having the ability to harmonize many different cultural currents. On the path of development and integration, the people of Dong Nai receive and apply new things as a resource for development, applying digital technology , contributing to promoting cultural values and people to all corners of the world."

Along with investing in modern infrastructure, Dong Nai has been focusing on building open cultural spaces, creating conditions for people to enjoy a better spiritual life. Specifically, in Tran Bien ward, several parks have been built, such as Bien Hung, Nguyen Van Tri, Quyet Thang, Ky Niem, and Lam Son, as well as flower gardens located in various areas of the ward; similarly, Binh Phuoc ward has invested in and built 13 parks, flower gardens, and 2 squares… These spaces not only serve the needs of the community but also contribute to creating a civilized and modern urban landscape.

Transforming heritage into living cultural spaces.

Building the urban identity of Dong Nai cannot be separated from conservation efforts, but conservation today is no longer about "framed" preservation; it must ensure that heritage continues to live and spread in modern life. Currently, Dong Nai possesses a rich and diverse treasure trove of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Many historical sites have become impressive landmarks for locals and tourists, such as: Tran Bien Temple of Literature, the temple and tomb of Nguyen Huu Canh, Ong Pagoda, the site where the Indochinese Communist Party branch was established in Thuan Loi commune, Ba Ra Mountain - Thac Mo Waterfall in Phuoc Long ward... These are considered important foundations for forming the urban identity of Dong Nai.

In addition to tangible cultural heritage, Dong Nai currently boasts the art of Southern Vietnamese folk music (Don Ca Tai Tu) recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, along with 11 national intangible cultural heritages. This is not only a source of pride for Dong Nai but also a valuable cultural resource for developing urban identity in the new era.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Cong Hoan, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, to form a sustainable urban cultural identity, Dong Nai needs to link heritage preservation with tourism development and modern cultural services. Instead of static preservation, historical sites, traditional craft villages, and cultural spaces should be exploited as experiential "touchpoints," helping tourists better appreciate the historical and cultural depth of Dong Nai.

In particular, many destinations in Dong Nai such as Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, and Nhon Trach will have many opportunities for breakthroughs when Long Thanh International Airport comes into operation, leading to a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Dong Nai. This is also a favorable time for Dong Nai to develop distinctive cultural products, contributing to positioning itself as a modern city that still retains its unique identity.

With a growing force of architects, artists, and creative communities, Dong Nai city is expected to develop public art projects with unique characteristics in the future. When art is given its proper role in urban development strategy, it will be a crucial driving force for Dong Nai to develop its cultural industry, tourism, and improve the quality of life for its people. Through this, it will create a city that is not only modern in appearance but also rich in emotion and deeply rooted in its identity.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/thanh-pho-dong-nai/202605/xay-dung-ban-sac-van-hoa-do-thi-dong-nai-7e2283f/