Exhibition “From the Imprint of Ancient Tran Bien to the Land of Dong Nai Today” opens

On the morning of May 6, at the Dong Nai Historical Archives Center, the Department of Home Affairs held the opening ceremony for the archival exhibition titled “From the Imprint of Ancient Tran Bien to the Land of Dong Nai Today.”

Leaders of the Department of Home Affairs present flowers to a representative of the Dong Nai Historical Archives Center. Photo: My Ny

Speaking at the ceremony, Dang Thanh Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, emphasized that Dong Nai is a land with a rich history of formation and development spanning 327 years, closely associated with the nation’s southward expansion and settlement process. From ancient Tran Bien, one of the first administrative units in the Southern region, through its establishment and growth process, Dong Nai has become one of the key economic, cultural, and social hubs for both the Southeast region and the entire country. Dong Nai officially became a city on April 30, 2026.

Dang Thanh Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, delivers the opening speech at the exhibition. Photo: My Ny

Archival documents are authentic testimonies vividly reflecting the process of formation, governance, and development of the land and people of Dong Nai throughout different historical periods. Administrative documents, maps, photographs, and historical materials preserved over time are not only valuable sources of information for state management but also documentary heritage of special value, contributing to the recreation of history and affirming the locality’s identity and traditions.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. Photo: My Ny

The exhibition features more than 200 typical documents, photographs, and artifacts, including many rare materials such as the Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty – a UNESCO Memory of the World documentary heritage – along with maps, charts, and administrative documents reflecting the history of Dong Nai’s formation, struggle, defense, and development through different periods. The exhibition vividly, systematically, and scientifically presents the historical progression of Dong Nai City.

Delegates visit the exhibition. Photo: My Ny

The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections. Section 1 highlights the imprint of Tran Bien during the feudal period up to 1945. Section 2 presents Dong Nai during the French colonial period and the resistance war against the French colonialism from 1946 to 1954. Section 3 focuses on Dong Nai during the resistance war against the American imperialism for national salvation from 1954 to 1975. Section 4 showcases Dong Nai during the period of renovation from 1975 to the present.

Delegates visit the archival exhibition “From the Imprint of Ancient Tran Bien to the Land of Dong Nai Today”. Photo: My Ny

The exhibition combines traditional displays with technological applications, contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of information dissemination, bringing archival materials closer to the public, promoting education on historical traditions, preserving cultural identity, and serving local socio-economic development.

Delegates visit the display section featuring rare documents such as the Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty at the exhibition. Photo: My Ny

The exhibition is open to residents and visitors to explore Dong Nai’s archival documents, culture, and history until May 22, 2026.

Delegates and members of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union visit the exhibition. Photo: My Ny

By My Ny – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha