Dong Nai’s cultural development strategy

Implementing the Cultural Development Strategy through 2030, Dong Nai province has achieved significant progress across areas, including improving institutional frameworks, fostering a healthy cultural environment, preserving heritage, developing cultural industries, and international integration.

Performing arts in Dong Nai are regarded as a standout example of the province’s growing cultural industries. Photo: My Ny

These achievements have played a vital role in enhancing the spiritual and cultural well-being of local residents, while laying a solid foundation for building a community of well-rounded, friendly, and compassionate people in Dong Nai.

Aligned with the assigned tasks of each agency and locality

Following the Government’s launch of the Cultural Development Strategy through 2030, Dong Nai has identified cultural development as a core priority and implemented consistently from the provincial level down to the grassroots. During the 2021–2025 period, communication on the role of culture has been significantly enhanced through news articles and feature reports in print and broadcast media; as well as through conferences, training sessions, and communication efforts on digital platforms.

Specially, Dong Nai has also issued a series of key resolutions and action plans to accelerate progress. Notably among them are: Resolution No. 12-NQ/TU dated December 12, 2023, of the 11th Provincial Party Executive Committee on developing and promoting the cultural values and human character of Dong Nai as a key resource and driving force for comprehensive and sustainable development; and Resolution No. 14-NQ/TU dated November 20, 2023, of the Provincial Party Executive Committee on building and developing the culture and people of Binh Phuoc through 2030, with a vision toward 2045. These mark a significant milestone in the province’s cultural development.

Dong Nai has shown strong attention to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage. In addition to government funding, Dong Nai has also drawn on private contributions to restore and upgrade numerous historic sites, including the Temple and Tomb of Nguyen Huu Canh, the Tran Bien Temple of Literature in Tran Bien ward, Phu My Communal House in Nhon Trach, and the Temple of Nguyen Tri Phuong in Bien Hoa City. Aiming to protect deteriorating relics and better leverage the cultural value of heritage for education, tourism, research, and public engagement, Dong Nai has scheduled the restoration of 12 national and 18 provincial heritage sites during the 2024–2028 period. The total planned investment is VND 331.5 billion, including VND 146 billion in public funding, VND 84.5 billion from cultural development programs, and VND 101 billion from private-sector support.

Cultural and sports infrastructure at both provincial and grassroots levels has continued to improve, helping elevate the spiritual well-being of local communities. Many localities have renovated public spaces such as Bien Hung, Nguyen Van Tri, and Duong Tu Giang parks, while also establishing the Bien Hoa culinary area along Phan Trung Street in Tam Hiep ward

According to Vo Anh Kiet, Vice Chairman of Hung Phuoc Commune People’s Committee in Dong Nai Province, the implementation of the Cultural Development Strategy toward 2030 has been concretized by locality through a wide range of practical initiatives closely tied to the goals of improving cultural life at the grassroots level. All hamlets in the commune have established community charters and codes of conduct, and the proportion of cultural families has consistently reached 90–97 percent each year. In addition, the commune continues to safeguard and promote the value of key heritage sites, including the National Relic Site commemorating the Bu Dop Massacre (March 16, 1978) along with the inventoried heritage site marking the final section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Bu Dop

In Minh Duc commune, Dong Nai province, five years into the implementation of the Cultural Development Strategy to 2030 (2021–2025), the local grassroots cultural environment has seen significant positive changes. The cultural centers of villages and hamlets are being utilized more effectively, serving as venues for community gatherings and strengthening connections among young people, middle-aged residents, and the elderly. Cultural, artistic, and sports activities are now organized regularly and according to clear plans, rather than in the spontaneous manner seen in the past. Meanwhile, the inspection, reminder, and sanctioning of cultural violations including noise disturbances and unauthorized advertising, are carried out with greater rigor, helping foster legal compliance and enhance civic awareness within the community.

Prioritizing the development of key cultural industries

Dong Nai possesses favorable conditions for the development of cultural industries such as performing arts, cultural tourism, advertising, fine arts, and photography. In addition, the non-public film sector has seen participation from organizations and individuals investing in the construction of multiple 3D and 4D cinemas in commercial centers, including Lotte Cinema (at Lotte Mart Bien Hoa and Vincom Plaza Bien Hoa), CGV Bien Hoa (at Co.opmart and Big C Dong Nai), Beta Cineplex Bien Hoa (The Pegasus Plaza), Beta Long Khanh, EVG Dong Xoai Cinema, among others.

Particularly, Dong Nai has paid close attention to developing cultural tourism in association with the application of digital technology. Dong Nai has developed virtual tourism products using 3D technology at Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Tan Trieu Pomelo Village, Cat Tien National Park, and the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Conservation Area, enhancing visitor experiences. Events such as the Dong Nai Ceramic and Hot-Air Balloon Festival and the Dong Nai Culture, Tourism, and Cuisine Week have attracted large numbers of visitors from inside and outside the province. Many tourism development projects have been implemented, contributing to building Dong Nai’s cultural tourism brand.

After five years (2021–2025) of implementing the Cultural Development Strategy to 2030, Dong Nai has affirmed that culture is a spiritual foundation and an essential source of endogenous strength, driving sustainable development. Clear and positive changes from provincial to grassroots level demonstrate that culture is a solid “launch pad” for Dong Nai’s integration and development in the new phase.

Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that: in the coming time, Dong Nai will continue to prioritize the development of key cultural products with the province’s potential and advantages, such as performing arts, fine arts, photography, and cultural tourism. Through these efforts, the competitiveness of the cultural industries will be gradually enhanced; and a Development Strategy for the province’s advantaged cultural industries will be formulated in alignment with the development requirements of the new period.

By My Ny – Translated by Thu Hien, Thu Ha