Enhancing the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage sites

Home to 120 recognized relics and more than 1,500 inventoried common relics, Dong Nai holds a wealth of heritage that vividly captures the historical and cultural journey of the land and people of the Southeast region.

The Dong Xoai Victory National Historic Site is temporarily placed under the management of Binh Phuoc Ward, Dong Nai Province, for preservation and promotion. This is a back-to-the-roots destination for young people to explore the nation’s revolutionary heritage. Photo courtesy of contributor

Dong Nai has temporarily transferred the management of historic sites to local agencies and authorities, aiming to better integrate heritage preservation with tourism development and cultural education.

Enhancing accountability and clarity in heritage site management

Following the implementation of the two-tier local administration model, parts of Dong Nai’s existing regulations on heritage site management were no longer aligned with current administrative structures. On October 3, the provincial People’s Committee issued a decision temporarily assigning the management and promotion of historical, cultural, and scenic sites along with cultural facilities to relevant agencies and local authorities.

Under the decision, the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was tasked with coordinating relevant agencies and local authorities to expedite the inventory and handover of relics, as well as to guide their management, preservation, and promotion. Local administrations and assigned units are responsible for safeguarding the sites and their surroundings, maintaining landscape and security, ensuring fire safety, and promoting public awareness of cultural heritage protection.

In 2025, Dong Nai plans to compile several heritage dossiers for submission to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, seeking recognition and inclusion in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The proposed entries include the Long Tong (Field Work Commencement) Festival of the Tay ethnic group, the traditional hand-pounded rice craft of the S’tieng and M’nong peoples, and the New Rice Festival of the S’tieng community.

Lam Van Lang, head of the Tan Lan Communal House Worship Committee in Tran Bien Ward, said the province’s move to temporarily delegate heritage site management is a timely and practical step, allowing local communities to better preserve and promote their cultural assets while reinforcing their sense of responsibility for shared heritage. He added that traditional festivals, restoration efforts, and site maintenance will now be conducted more regularly and in a more organized manner.

Dak Nhau Commune is home to the historic Nua Lon Base. Local authorities said that before the adoption of the two-tier local administration model, the site was managed by the People’s Committee of Duong 10 Commune under the former Binh Phuoc Province. Following the administrative merger, management responsibilities were transferred to the Dak Nhau Commune People’s Committee. The site currently lacks infrastructure and physical artifacts, with the area consisting mainly of natural forest. It has not yet received investment for restoration or development. The commune has assigned its Economic Division to oversee and manage the site.

Following the provincial directive issued on October 3, Lu Thanh Nam, Chairman of the Nhon Trach Commune People’s Committee, assigned the commune’s Center for Culture, Information and Sports to oversee and promote the Phuoc Thien and Phu My communal houses. Both sites are steeped in history and culture, deeply rooted in the spiritual life of local residents in Nhon Trach commune in particular and across Dong Nai Province in general. In recent years, local authorities have intensified restoration and preservation efforts to make the sites more accessible to the public and visitors.

Promoting heritage values through new and creative approaches

Dong Nai has been adopting more creative and engaging approaches to cultural heritage promotion, alongside ongoing improvements to its management framework. The focus has shifted from “displaying to observe” to “experiencing to understand.” The Dong Nai Museum has launched a range of interactive and themed exhibitions including Bien Hoa Ceramics: Then and Now, Ancient Metallurgy in Dong Nai, and educational programs such as Learning Hour at the Museum and Journey to the Roots - offering students a more hands-on way to connect with history. The museum has also developed heritage education materials for extracurricular use to help foster national pride among young learners.

Tran Bien Temple of Literature in Tran Bien Ward has long been a cultural landmark where people from Dong Nai and other provinces come to honor their cultural roots. Photo: Lo Van Hop

Nguyen Ngoc Yen, Director of Dong Nai Museum, highlighted that the province has made significant strides in leveraging technology to preserve and showcase its cultural heritage. The museum has digitized artifacts and heritage records in both 2D and 3D, introduced 360° virtual tours at key sites including Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Nguyen Huu Canh Temple, and Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb and launched an exhibition on Binh Phuoc culture. In addition, QR codes and automated audio guides have been installed at Tran Bien Temple, modernizing the way visitors engage with and experience the province’s heritage.

Heritage collaboration and community engagement in Dong Nai are increasingly being strengthened. The Dong Nai Museum has partnered with museums in neighboring provinces to stage traveling exhibitions during major national holidays and worked with tourism enterprises to incorporate heritage sites into cultural and eco-tourism circuits. Numerous individuals and companies have supported the restoration and enhancement of historic sites, sponsored festivals, and provided technological equipment, helping to promote Dong Nai’s cultural heritage to both domestic and international audiences.

Nguyen Ngoc Yen, Director of Dong Nai Museum, said the province is stepping up efforts to preserve and showcase its cultural heritage through wider public engagement, diversified communication channels, and the use of digital technologies. Dong Nai is also prioritizing artifact collection and research, integrating heritage conservation with cultural and eco-tourism, safeguarding historic sites, and fostering partnerships to maximize heritage value while supporting sustainable development.

By My Ny – Translated by Tam Binh, Thu Ha