The storytellers of Dong Nai’s history

As a land where many historical and cultural imprints converge, Dong Nai is home not only to many relics and victories but also to individuals who quietly preserve and share the stories of the history and homeland.

Not only passing down memories through words, writings, or artifacts, the storytellers of Dong Nai’s history breathe life into the past, making this land more vibrant and closer to today’s younger generation.

From living “pages” of history...

At the age of 75, writer Khoi Vu - Nguyen Thai Hai (resident of Trang Dai Ward, Dong Nai Province) continues to diligently write and publish dozens of books about Dong Nai’s history, culture, and people. He is one of the exceptional “storytellers” who uses literature to record stories of the past, connect memories, and inspire younger generations. Though his eyesight has dimmed somewhat, when speaking about Dong Nai, he passionately recounts his field trips, meetings, and emotions upon releasing a new book. Among his 79 published books, 42 focus on the land of Dong Nai.

Notable works include Following the Flow of Dong Nai; the novels Sword and Flower, and Luoc River in the South; and the five-volume illustrated series Stories of Dong Nai’s Eminent Figures featuring Nguyen Huu Canh - the pioneer of the southern frontier, Thu Huong - river raft builder, Tran Thuong Xuyen - founder of the Cu Lao Pho trading port, Trinh Hoai Duc - Dong Nai’s great cultural figure, and Nguyen Tri Phuong - a loyal and courageous official. Writer Nguyen Thai Hai continues to work on projects such as The Noblewoman (about noblewomen in the early Nguyen Lords era in Nam Ha – Southern Vietnam), the series of Vietnam’s Mountains and Rivers, and The Legend of Buong River, etc.

“When students can see with their own eyes, read, and physically touch, the history of Dong Nai will leave a deeper impression than any lecture.”

Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School (Trang Dai ward)

Writer Nguyen Thai Hai shared: “History is often seen as a dry and difficult subject to remember. Instead of handing the students thick historical pages filled with numbers about Dong Nai, I choose to ‘tell stories’ to make it easier for them to absorb. Wherever I go, I link each locality with specific figures and events. For example, in Tam Hiep ward, I tell the story of Doan Van Cu and his 16 righteous soldiers; in Bien Hoa ward, I recount the tale of the illustrious official Nguyen Tri Phuong; and in Long Phuoc commune, I narrate the story of Commander Nguyen Duc Ung and the battle of Luy Ky Giang.”

While Nguyen Thai Hai uses literature to recount Dong Nai’s history, musician Tran Viet Binh, 91, chooses music as a bridge connecting the past with the present. He has not only composed but also spent many years collecting and researching folk songs of Dong Nai’s ethnic minorities, in particular, and of the Southeast region in general. To him, each melody and rhythm carries the soul of the community’s history.

In his modest home in Tran Bien ward, the musical and folk song archive amassed by musician Tran Viet Binh has become a “living museum.” There, one can find not only written records and music collections but also marks of his extensive field research. Going beyond his mere collection, he brings these folk tunes back to contemporary life through performances and teaching youth. He believes that only when traditional music lives alongside the breath of today can the historical and cultural values of Dong Nai be truly spread.

Nguyen Dinh Du (right, resident of Thong Nhat Commune) shares the history and culture of the Muong people through woodcarving

Through wooden statues and miniature stilt houses, Nguyen Dinh Du (resident of Tan Lap hamlet, Thong Nhat commune) quietly narrates the history and culture of the Muong people in Dong Nai. Each piece not only is a work of art but also holds hidden stories of customs, beliefs, labor, and daily life of the community. Viewers, especially the younger generation, can vividly imagine an entire traditional lifestyle through each detail that he recreates. According to Du, this is how the history of the Muong people is not only “seen” but also “touched.”

“Carving wooden statues, such as those of shamans, Muong girls playing gongs, and rice pounders, and creating stilt house models based on traditional originals, is not just about preserving memories. It is also a way to tell descendants where they come from. Each statue serves as a reminder of identity, and each stilt house represents a chapter of history preserved in wood, bamboo, and reed. Thanks to this, the story of the Muong people does not fade away amid the pace of modern life,” Du shared.

To how to bring history closer to students

Not satisfied with merely creating, collecting, or conducting field research, many individuals dedicate their passion to making history a vivid lesson that guides the younger generation, helping students engage with culture and history in a lively and relatable way.

For many years, writer Nguyen Thai Hai has collaborated with various organizations and schools both inside and outside the province to organize talks, exchanges, and storytelling sessions about the history and culture closely associated with the land and people of Dong Nai for students. Notably, he actively writes books aimed at children and teenagers. For each new publication, he donates hundreds of copies free of charge to school libraries and students.

Painter Nguyen Van Binh, a lecturer at Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts (Tran Bien ward), actively participates in compiling local educational materials for Dong Nai’s Art subject targeted at secondary school students (Grade 6). In addition, he has adapted content from these books into artistic works that narrate the history and culture of Dong Nai, enabling students and the public to easily visualize and appreciate the region’s heritage, including traditional crafts, festivals, notable figures, and customs.

Driven by the desire to preserve and pass on history through the arts, many have transformed history into lively, accessible stories. This approach fosters greater love, pride, and awareness of national roots among young people. In doing so, the storytellers of Dong Nai contribute to extending the flow of tradition and continue to spread it in today’s vibrant life.

By My Ny
Translated by Hong Vân - Thu Ha