Dong Nai culture: 50 years of pride

Half a century after the country's reunification, Dong Nai has not only affirmed its role as a key economic region in the South but has also risen to become a land rich in cultural identity.

Despite facing many difficulties and ups and downs, the endogenous strength containing the position and unique identity of a land formed and developed for over 325 years has become a solid spiritual foundation and a strong resource for Dong Nai's culture to develop and integrate.

Building a cultural foundation from traditional values

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Ngoc Loan said that the Resolution of the 5th Central Committee Conference (8th term) affirmed that culture is the goal and spiritual driving force of society, and building an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity is the focus, which has created conditions for the sector to make new developments and achieve many accomplishments. Notably, the "All People Unite to Build a Cultural Life" movement has become increasingly in-depth and effective; activities in libraries, cinema, mobile information, museums, relics, etc., have all made strides.

Especially, implementing Resolution 12-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee Executive Committee on building and promoting the value of Dong Nai's culture and people to become an important resource and driving force for comprehensive and sustainable development, many major programs have been implemented to raise awareness of the role of culture among cadres, party members, and the people. Party committees, authorities, and localities have made promoting the value of culture and people a key political task, while also strengthening propaganda and education throughout society.

Notably, the work of preserving and restoring cultural heritage has been strongly implemented. Relics associated with glorious history such as Bien Hoa Ancient Citadel, Tran Bien Temple of Literature, the Southern Region Party Committee Base, etc., are regularly restored and renovated. Traditional festivals such as the Sayangva Festival of the Choro people, the Commemoration Ceremony for Duke Nguyen Huu Canh, and the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day are not only maintained but also promote their value in community life, igniting the flame of national pride in the hearts of today's generation.

Vice Chairman of Bien Hoa City People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Thanh said that since the country's reunification, the city has achieved many encouraging results in the field of culture. Notably, urban beautification, roads, and transportation have been given attention and synchronously invested in; the system of grassroots cultural and sports institutions has been renovated, upgraded, and diverse activities have been organized..., creating favorable conditions for people to enjoy spiritual and cultural values.

"Parallel to preservation is traditional education for the younger generation. Schools actively integrate local education programs, organize visits to historical relics, cultural experience activities... Thanks to this, the spirit of 'Drinking water, remembering the source' is sustainably spread in every home, every generation of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai people," Mr. Thanh shared.

Currently, 100% of districts and cities in the province have district-level cultural, information, and sports centers; over 92% of hamlets and neighborhoods have cultural houses - sports areas and 14 ethnic minority cultural houses, forming a widespread network serving the spiritual life of the people.

Cultural industry - a new driving force for sustainable development

Entering the period of industrialization and modernization, Dong Nai has identified the development of the cultural industry as an inevitable direction for culture to not only remain a spiritual value but also play a role as a driving force for economic development. In this regard, many major cultural events have been organized such as the Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai Traditional Pottery Festival, OCOP product promotion programs (One Commune One Product Program), cultural festivals, and art programs organized on a large scale, contributing to the far-reaching brand of "Dong Nai culture."Students in Bien Hoa city visit Tran Bien Temple of Literature, arrange shapes with the Dong Nai 50 Years of Flower Season exhibition. Photo: Ai Van

Not only that, the cultural sector has been and is promoting the application of digital technology in preserving, promoting, and advertising cultural heritage, creating many new impressions such as: building a 360 virtual reality tour of Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb, Nguyen Huu Canh Temple; building a GIS map of archaeological sites, digitizing rare documents... expanding access to heritage, especially for the younger generation who love technology.

50 years after the Liberation of the South and National Reunification is not a very long period in history, but for Dong Nai, it is a journey of strong transformation, affirming the bravery and intellect of the Southern people in the new era. From preserving core values, Dong Nai today is actively integrating, selecting, and absorbing the cultural essence of the world, enriching the local identity.

Also according to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Thi Ngoc Loan, although there are still many challenges ahead, with the foundation that has been built, in the coming time, the sector will continue to implement and effectively carry out resolutions and plans for cultural development. Strengthen propaganda and dissemination of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws on building and developing Dong Nai culture and people, meeting the needs of sustainable development.

Reported by Ly Na