Dong Nai’s literature and arts engage in countering false arguments (Part 2)

In the journey of building and safeguarding the ideological foundation of the Party, Dong Nai’s literature and arts have affirmed its role and position as an important “front,” with artists and writers serving as “soldiers” on that front. With their endless creativity, provincial artists and writers have contributed to arousing pride, nurturing ideals of a beautiful life, and strengthening public trust.

Not only creating works rich in humanity, Dong Nai Literature and Arts have also become an indispensable part of efforts to spread beautiful images, positive messages, contributing to effectively fighting against false and hostile viewpoints, safeguarding, and promoting cultural values. In doing so, Dong Nai Literature and Arts contribute to portraying the people of Dong Nai as resilient yet compassionate, adaptable to integration and the digital era.

PART 2:
 SPREADING THE VALUES OF TRUTH – GOODNESS – BEAUTY

Dong Nai Arts Theater reports that the reformed opera "Reforming and revival the nation", scheduled to serve audiences within and outside the province in August 2025. Photo: Minh Anh

Dong Nai has been one of the pioneers in turning literature and arts into a persistent means of struggle against wrongful views, while arousing and spreading the values of truth, goodness, and beauty.

Beyond creation and promotion, literary and artistic works also contribute to enriching spiritual life and nurturing people's souls, gradually affirming the role of literature and arts as a “spiritual shield” that upholds the Party’s ideological foundation in the context of integration and digital transformation.

Fighting by the “language” of beauty

While hostile forces attempt to spread distorted ideologies via social networks, illegal publications, or hide behind “modern art” works, Dong Nai artists and writers have chosen to respond through beauty, putting inspiring stories into their literary and artistic works to serve the public’s artistic needs.

Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association performs an art program about President Ho Chi Minh, spreading inspiration among the people. Photo: Minh Anh

One of the second prize-winning works of the 2025 Moments Photo Contest belongs to the work “Endoscopic surgery” by photographer Bui Viet Dong from the Photography Division of Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association. The work captured an emotional scene in an operating room of the medical team in Dong Nai. The light of the operating lamp contrasts with the bright eyes and the skillful hands, evoking the quiet beauty of the medical profession. The story from the work, after being shared on social media, has spread widely, with numerous shares and comments.

Photographer Bui Viet Dong shared: “I felt truly happy that Endoscopic Surgery won the award.” From introducing the work, he hopes that viewers can see the sacrifices and devotion behind the white blouse. That is also a way to spread beauty and goodness from ordinary but noble jobs.

Not only photography, but many Dong Nai artists and writers are also choosing to reflect social reality through a humanistic lens. From paintings of workers, monuments of revolutionary soldiers, to plays about neighborhood bonds, all aim at affirming a truth: beauty possesses enduring persuasive power against distortion and deviation.

Yong sculptor Tran Dinh Thang, from the Fine Arts Division of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, shared that he always finds inspiration from ordinary objects, phenomena, and people in everyday life. For him, sculptures are not only artistic forms but a voice affirming human values. His works - Urban (welded steel), Dream (stone sculpture), Old Forest (welded steel), depict the image of Dong Nai as not only a land that is developing strongly but also a place where people are mindful of living in harmony with nature while preserving traditions.

“I want viewers to see in each piece of welded iron or each carved stone slab the message about the perseverance and resilience of the people and Dong Nai province. When people have a good aesthetic foundation and cultural courage, they will know for themselves what is valuable to cherish and what is a hybrid that needs to be eliminated. That is the "resistance" provided by literature and arts,” author Tran Dinh Thang confided.

Through diverse forms and genres, Dong Nai artists and writers are gradually building a solid "cultural front" with the government and people. In doing so, they not only affirm the role of literature and art in reflecting reality and orienting perception, but also contribute to spreading the values ​​of truth, goodness, and beauty to the public, especially the young generation.

Spreading Dong Nai Literature and Arts in the digital space

If in the past, literature and arts mainly reached the public through books, newspapers, art galleries, etc., today social media and digital platforms have become crucial arenas of their engagement. In particular, Dong Nai Arts Theater has proactively developed its own YouTube channel and Facebook page to share plays, excerpts of reformed opera, music, and musical programs online. This enables many works not only to serve audiences in the province but also to reach tens of thousands of viewers nationwide and overseas.

People’s Artist Que Anh, Director of Dong Nai Arts Theater, noted: Audiences now access art mainly through phones and social networks. In recent years, the unit has been changing its approach so that plays and artistic programs live not only on stage but also in the hearts of online audiences.

Currently, Dong Nai has been implementing many programs to bring culture and art to remote areas, industrial zones, border areas and ethnic minority areas; at the same time, applying digital technology to promote works. Many artistic videos, documentaries, online exhibitions... made by Dong Nai artists have reached tens of thousands of viewers, thereby quickly and effectively spreading the image of the land and people of Dong Nai.

According to the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, literature and arts are a vital component of ideological work. That is why hostile, reactionary, and opportunistic political forces have stepped up exploitation for anti-Party and anti-State activities. In response, Dong Nai did not stand aside. Instead of leaving information voids to be exploited, local artists and writers and state management agencies of culture and arts in the province have proactively brought quality cultural and artistic works closer to the public, especially through online spaces

Tran Khanh Huy, a worker at Pouchen Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Bien Hoa, shared: “I used to pay little attention to poetry or reformed opera. But thanks to short clips of Dong Nai artists’ works on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, I started to read and watch more. The relatable works reflecting workers’ lives make me feel more connected and motivated.”

According to People’s Artist Giang Manh Ha, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association and Chairman of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, each literary and artistic work, if confined only to printed books or traditional performances, will have limited influence, but when technology is applied and put on the internet platform, it will reach audiences faster and stronger, especially the young people. These seeds of beauty will contribute to creating resistance against toxic and distorted information.

As the state management agency, the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is continuing to innovate its management approach to guide the development of literature and arts in accordance with the conditions and practical situation of the new period. In particular, the department emphasizes the unique, sensitive, and refined nature of literature and arts, while ensuring their development remains consistent with the Party’s political and ideological orientations, and safeguarding freedom and democracy in creation. It also aims to awaken and promote local artists’ and writers’ dedication and creativity.

In addition, Dong Nai is increasing resources to build and develop literature and arts, investing in building, upgrading and renovating literary and artistic works to serve the political tasks and the needs of people. Promoting digital transformation and applying scientific and technological achievements in the field of literature and arts; strengthening the protection of the Party's ideological foundation, fighting against wrong and hostile views in the field of literature and arts, promoting the core role of artists and writers in building and protecting the national culture and literature and arts, for the comprehensive development of Vietnamese culture and people in general, and Dong Nai in particular. This aligns with the demands of local and national development and integration in the new era - the era of national rise.

By Minh Anh, Hong Tham - Translated by Thuy Trang, Thu Ha