Fostering a solid socio-cultural foundation

In an era of rapid integration and industrialization, Dong Nai has not only affirmed its position as a key growth pole of the Southeast region but has also steadily built a solid, humane and sustainable socio-cultural foundation.

Residents watch lion dance performance during Ky yen festival at Tan Lan communal house, Dong Nai province. Photo: Minh Tai

Placing people at the center and culture as an intrinsic driving force, the province remains steadfast in pursuing balanced development between economic growth and spiritual life, between modernization and the preservation of identity, thereby contributing to the construction of a compassionate, civilized and livable Dong Nai in the new era.

Values such as solidarity, pioneering spirit, diligence and community cohesion have become defining traits of Dong Nai residents. These are not only spiritual legacies but also vital endogenous resources that enable the locality to overcome challenges, adapt to market fluctuations and expand its international integration.

In recent years, the province has paid special attention to building grassroots cultural life through the “All people unite to build cultural life” movement and the development of cultural institutions at the communes, wards and residential areas. Cultural houses, libraries, community centers and sports grounds have been synchronously invested in, gradually meeting the rising cultural needs of residents. As a result, culture is no longer an abstract concept but is present in every neighborhood, every family and every daily activity.

Many cultural and artistic activities imbued with local identity are regularly organized, including Don Ca Tai Tu ((southern amateur music) festivals, grassroots art performances, traditional festivals, family festivals and “return to the roots” programs. These events nurture spiritual life and create a healthy community environment that connects people from all walks of life.

Notably, traditional cultural values are increasingly integrated into school education. Pupils and students can visit historical relic sites, participate in experiential activities and learn through practical engagement. Consequently, local history and culture are no longer dry textbook knowledge but become vivid memories that foster love for their homeland.

By bringing culture into daily life, Dong Nai has ensured that traditional values are not eroded by modernization but instead renewed and spread more widely within the community.

Many industrial parks and new residential areas have been planned in tandem with schools, hospitals, parks and cultural and sports spaces. This approach not only improves living standards but also creates a humane working environment that helps retain workers in the long term.

At the same time, Dong Nai promotes cultural and eco-tourism, tapping into distinctive values such as river-based tourism, mangrove forests, traditional craft villages and local cuisine. This direction both preserves heritage and creates sustainable livelihoods for residents, contributing to a shift in the economic structure toward services and culture.

In reality, when culture becomes a “soft resource,” a locality gains additional competitive advantages in attracting investment and building its image as a friendly, livable destination.

In Dong Nai, education is determined not only as knowledge transmission but also as character formation and the cultivation of responsibility toward the community. Youth movements, volunteer campaigns and community-oriented programs have been widely implemented, nurturing a spirit of sharing and compassion among younger generations.

Cultural, artistic, sports and innovation startup clubs are expanding, providing an environment for young people to develop skills and unleash their potential. From this foundation emerges a generation of dynamic, knowledgeable citizens with aspirations to contribute.

This vividly reflects the viewpoint of building Dong Nai people who are comprehensively developed, patriotic, resilient, disciplined, responsible and globally integrated.

Alongside these achievements, Dong Nai still faces challenges, including rapid urbanization, disparities in cultural access between urban and rural areas, risks of eroding traditional identity and the impacts of social media and digital transformation on youth lifestyles.

To address these issues, the province needs to further refine cultural investment policies, improve the quality of human resources in the cultural sector, promote the socialization of cultural and artistic activities, apply digital technology in heritage management and promotion, and strengthen moral and lifestyle education for young people.

More importantly, each citizen must become an active participant in cultural life, contributing to the building of a healthy cultural environment from family and school to the broader community.

That is the path for Dong Nai to move forward confidently in a new era – an era of green, humane and sustainable development.

Building and developing socio-cultural life in Dong Nai is not merely an immediate task but a long-term strategy that lays the foundation for the future. When culture is placed at the center and people are comprehensively cared for, economic achievements will truly be sustainable and meaningful.

By Dr Tu Huu Cong – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha