Dong Nai enhances the effectiveness of festival management and organization

With nearly 400 festivals held annually, Dong Nai province is gradually building a festival environment that is civilized, safe and rich in cultural identity

Residents of Phu Rieng commune participate in cultural and sports activities during festivals, tightening the spirit of solidarity, spreading national pride. Photo: Collaborator

Management and organization of festivals across the province in recent times has shown positive changes, contributing to preservation of the cultural heritage, addressing the cultural and spiritual needs of people from all walks of life, and promoting community cohesion

Preserving local cultural identity

Binh Long ward is one of the localities with numerous heritage sites, including one national-level historical site, three provincial-level historical sites, and two sites listed in the inventory. Among them, two provincial-level sites are religious and belief establishments. Historical sites which are religious and belief establishments comply well with the provisions of the Law on Beliefs and Religion, ensuring the solemnity and civility of festival celebrations

According to Tran Van Tuan, Vice Chairman of Binh Long ward People’s Committee, the ward is home to the Cau Bong Festival of the Kinh people at the Tan Lap Phu Communal House Heritage Site, which has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. To promote the value of this traditional festival, in 2023, the former Binh Long town organized the Cau Bong Festival in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the founding of Tan Lap Phu communal house (1923–2023), creating a unique highlight that attracted a large number of local residents and visitors.

Dong Nai currently has 120 officially ranked relic sites, including 6 special national sites, 42 national-level relics, and 72 provincial-level relics. Among them, 34 religious establishments are officially ranked by the State, and 363 religious sites are listed in the inventory. Many traditional festivals at these relics sites and religious establishments are organized in accordance with regulations, ensuring a solemn, joyful, wholesome, and cost-effective celebration

In addition to the Cau Bong Festival of the Kinh people, localities within Binh Long ward also focus on preserving some traditional festivals, melodies, games, and traditional sports of ethnic minority communities. The locality also organizes the revival and performance of traditional dances, cong chieng (gong), and Don ca Tai Tu during festivals and Tet celebrations, fostering a vibrant cultural movement, spreading the spirit of community solidarity, and evoking pride in Binh Long in particular and Dong Nai province in general.

In Binh Loc ward, the People’s Committee annually coordinates with agencies, sectors, mass organizations, and the Board of Trustees of the Tran Hung Dao Temple (Xuan Thien neighborhood) to maintain the death anniversary ceremony of Saint Tran on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month. In addition, the locality collaborates with the Management Board of the Binh Loc Communal House (Neighborhood 2) and the Nui Tung village communal house to organize the Ky Yen Festival on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (15th day of the 12th lunar month). These traditional festivals in Binh Loc ward are maintained annually with active participation and contributions from the local community. The festivals are free from superstitious practices or commercial exploitation

According to Nguyen Trong Quang, Vice Chairman of the Xuan Phu Commune People’s Committee, the locality has been successfully preserving and organizing a variety of traditional festivals such as the Sayangva Festival of the Choro community in Binh Ha hamlet; periodic belief festivals at the Quan Am Temple of the Hoa and Tay communities; the Mid-Autumn Festival; and the Great National Unity Day. These festivals are organized in a solemn, safe, and cost-effective manner, creating a cheerful and uplifting atmosphere for the community while reinforcing the tradition of “Drinking water, remember its source,” promoting solidarity and national pride.

Recognizing cultural development as the spiritual foundation of society, and both a goal and a driving force for local socio-economic growth during 2026–2030 period, Xuan Phu Commune plans to continue preserving traditional customs and festivals, including local folk songs such as Then singing and Sli singing, as well as gong performances. At the same time, ethnic cultural elements will be incorporated into community activities. Through these efforts, the commune aims to foster a civilized lifestyle and nurture Xuan Phu residents who are cultured, compassionate, and community-minded

Ensuring order in festival organization

Nguyen Ngoc Yen, Director of Dong Nai Museum, stated that: that Dong Nai has many festivals listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, including the Cau Bong Festival of the Kinh people; the Sayangva Festival of the Choro; the Dua Tpeng (Pha Bau) Festival of the Khmer in Loc Hung commune; the Ba Ra Temple Festival in Phuoc Long ward; the Ong Temple Festival; and the death anniversary of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh in Tran Bien ward. In 2025, Dong Nai has prepared documents to suggest the recognition of the Long Tong (Rice Planting) Festival of the Tay people as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

“In addition, Dong Nai Museum has collaborated with relevant units to publish numerous valuable publications and documentary films showcasing the province’s historical sites, festivals, and traditional craft villages of its ethnic communities. Through these efforts, it helps showcase and share the local cultural heritage with friends at home and abroad” – Yen shared.

Since the beginning of 2025, the cultural sector has regularly coordinated with units, localities to strengthen inspections of festival activities, the preservation of historical sites, security and public order, and environmental hygiene at several recognized religious and belief establishments, including Dai Giac Pagoda, Ong Pagoda (That Phu Temple), Long Thien Pagoda, Buu Phong Pagoda, Phu My Communal House, and Phuoc Thien Communal House. At these sites, all regulations have been properly followed, and inspections have revealed no violations.

From the perspective of state management, according to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the sector will continue to strengthen public awareness campaigns to encourage both residents and visitors to maintain environmental hygiene and adopt civilized life-style during festivals. At the same time, inspections and supervision will be intensified before, during, and after festivals, with strong mobilization of social resources to support these efforts. These measures will not only help ensure that festivals are conducted in a civilized and safe manner, but also generate a positive impact within the community, promote tourism, and establish Dong Nai as a distinctive cultural destination in the Southeast region.

By My Ny – Translated by Thu Hien, Thu Ha