New Dong Nai - a land rich in historical and cultural traditions

Ethnic people participate in the Festival of the Everlasting Sound of Pestle on Soc Bom Bo. Photo: Minh Chi

From historical relics, folk festivals to customs of ethnic communities, this newly unified land is forming a diverse and unique cultural picture.

Two lands - one identity converges

The combination of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc is not only an expansion of administrative boundaries, but more deeply, an expansion of cultural stature and historical depth. Each land has its own distinct layers of cultural sediments and when combined, they create a multidimensional cultural space - where traditional values are connected, memories are shared and identities are nurtured and continued together.

Old Dieu Len (living in Bom Bo commune) is one of the historical witnesses in the resistance war against American imperialism. According to old Dieu Len, from ancient times to the present, the Stieng people have always considered themselves descendants of the Southern land. During the resistance war, the Stieng people, like people of other ethnic groups, were willing to eat forest roots, pound rice day and night, and hide cadres. Now this land has become a part of the new Dong Nai , this is also a return to nature. Old Dieu Len's greatest wish is that in the future, his descendants will continue to know how to preserve the fields, preserve the forests, and preserve the culture of their ancestors.

Far from where old man Dieu Len lives, in Long Thanh commune, artist Thai Hung, Vice President of the Long Thanh Amateur Music Club, has been involved in amateur and reformed opera for more than 20 years and is also diligently passing on his craft to the younger generation. Artist Thai Hung shared: “Currently, I not only teach how to play and sing, but also teach the origins of 20 original songs to those who love and are passionate about amateur music. To me, Dong Nai province is vast, but not everything is new. There are old things, the more you preserve them, the more precious they are.”

Two generations, two lands now together on a new map is a clear demonstration of the spirit of convergence that Dong Nai is building. The cultural values of the Stieng, M'nong, Tay, Nung people in Binh Phuoc blend with the traditions of the Kinh, Hoa, Choro, Cham people in Dong Nai, creating unique cultural spaces. From folk songs, traditional musical instruments, to festivals such as: Friendship Festival, Bau Breaking Festival, Sayangva Festival, Sayangbri Festival, Death Anniversary Ceremony of Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh..., all create a continuous, lively and profound cultural flow.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Ngoc Loan said that due to the similarities in history, culture and society, after the merger, the advantages of each province can complement each other, creating a common cultural identity for Dong Nai to develop more strongly. This is especially important in the current context, when culture is not only a factor in identifying local identity, but also an important driving force for socio -economic development, especially in the cultural, tourism and creative industries.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism LE THI NGOC LOAN said: “The new Dong Nai currently has 120 ranked relics. Connecting and promoting the diverse cultural values of the two provinces after the merger will not only bring economic and tourism values, but also create endogenous strength for the new Dong Nai province, which is the ability to be self-reliant, preserve identity and develop sustainable culture in the integration period”.

Modern connection from traditional platform

People's Artist Dong Thi Que Anh, Director of Dong Nai Art Theater, said that the theater is working hard to practice a new music and dance program and a reformed opera called Reforming the country. The reformed opera borrows the story of merging ministries and branches in the past to convey the story of today. It is expected that at the end of July, it will be performed to report to the art council, then it will be performed online and directly serve political tasks, connecting and serving people in remote areas, ethnic minority areas, and border areas.

Many people in Dong Nai participate in the 2025 Commemoration Ceremony of Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh. Photo: Ly Na

Entering a new stage of development with many opportunities, the new Dong Nai not only stops at preserving and promoting cultural values, but also proactively makes culture the foundation for sustainable development. The cultural and historical heritages of the two old provinces are valuable materials for the cultural sector, units and localities to create unique products, build regional cultural "brands" to both serve the people and promote creative industries.

According to Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Ngoc Loan, the orientation of cultural development in the new period does not only stop at preserving and promoting traditional values, but also involves the application of digital technology, expanding creative spaces, promoting regional linkages in tourism development and cultural industry. In particular, the industry prioritizes the development of a number of key cultural products with potential and advantages such as: performing arts, fine arts, photography, cultural tourism, etc.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202506/dong-nai-moi-vung-dat-giau-truyen-thong-lich-su-van-hoa-5a11a6b/