Colors of culture converge in Dong Nai

Amid a festive atmosphere marking the first anniversary of the implementation of the two-tier local government model and in response to the special 500-day-and-night emulation campaign, "Solidarity – Discipline – Efficiency – Breakthroughs for a civilized and modern Dong Nai," which will continue through 2030, Dak Nhau commune recently hosted the 2026 Ethnic Minority Cultural Festival.

A display space showcasing distinctive cultural values at the festival. Photo: Vu Thuyen

The festival attracted hundreds of local residents and visitors, who enjoyed a wide range of vibrant cultural activities and immersive experiences.

A celebration of diverse cultural heritage

From early morning, the grounds of Chu Van An Secondary School in Dak Nhau commune came alive with the sounds of gongs, drums, flutes and traditional string instruments, accompanied by colorful cultural performances. Artisans and amateur performers, dressed in traditional ethnic costumes, created a festive atmosphere rich in cultural identity. Performances and a traditional costume competition held during the opening ceremony vividly portrayed the daily life, production activities and community traditions of various ethnic groups, leaving a lasting impression on participants.

Thi Xuan, a resident of Dak Lien Hamlet, shared: “Many other residents and I feel honored and proud that local leaders have shown concern by organizing a cultural festival for ethnic minority communities. At the festival, residents not only experience folk games and enjoy distinctive cultural performances, but also have the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of other ethnic groups. From there, ethnic groups strengthen solidarity and connections, forming a unified whole and joining efforts in labor and production for the locality's shared development.”

Busy arranging handwoven brocade products for display, Dieu Thi Bri from Dak Nung Hamlet said the exhibition plays an important role in preserving and promoting traditional culture. When more people become familiar with and use these products, they not only help honor our cultural heritage but also create jobs and improve incomes for local artisans.

According to Bri, brocade weaving has long been closely associated with the lives of the S'tieng and M'nong communities. Each product is painstakingly handcrafted by women through numerous intricate stages and is traditionally used during festivals, weddings and other important ceremonies.

Visitors also explored exhibition spaces featuring traditional handicrafts, cultural products, local agricultural specialties and signature cuisine from the commune's 13 hamlets and villages. They sampled traditional mountain dishes, learned about ethnic costumes, jewelry and musical instruments, and gained a deeper understanding of the customs and lifestyles of different communities. Meanwhile, traditional folk games such as stick-pushing, con throwing, stilt walking, rice pounding, cooking competitions and blindfold duck catching, together with various traditional sports, created a lively atmosphere of friendly competition among local communities. Cheers echoed throughout the festival grounds, reflecting the solidarity and close bonds shared by the commune's ethnic groups.

In addition to cultural performances and folk games, the festival also included a community welfare program. A total of 250 disadvantaged ethnic minority residents received free medical check-ups and medicines through a program jointly organized by the Dong Nai City Youth Union, the Vietnam Youth Federation of Dong Nai City and local partners, with total funding of VND45 million.

More than a cultural festival

Dak Nhau is a remote commune with an extensive natural area and a population of more than 23,000, over half of whom belong to ethnic minority communities. Home to 22 ethnic groups, the commune brings together distinctive cultural traditions from many regions across Vietnam, making the annual festival a highly anticipated event for local residents.

Pham Dinh Phung, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Dak Nhau commune Party Committee, said each of the commune's 22 ethnic groups contributes its own unique cultural identity.

"The S'tieng and Mnong communities are known for the gong culture and brocade weaving traditions of the Central Highlands. The Tay and Nung people are renowned for the Tinh lute and Then singing. Meanwhile, the Dao Tien and Dao Do communities are distinguished by their intricately embroidered traditional costumes," he said. "By organizing this festival, we hope people from different ethnic groups will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another's cultural traditions."

Stilt walking, one of the traditional folk games featured at the festival. Photo: Vu Thuyen

Nguyen Tan Phu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Dong Nai City, said the festival drew a large number of participants thanks to its lively folk games and cultural performances. The highlight of the festival was the enthusiastic atmosphere of local residents and the thorough preparation by participating teams. Although the performers are local amateurs, their performances were highly professional and vividly reflected the cultural identities of different regions across the country. Visitors were able to fully enjoy traditional songs, dances and costume performances representing numerous ethnic communities. The success of this festival will help preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam's ethnic groups.

Dak Nhau was the first commune in Dong Nai to successfully organize an Ethnic Minority Cultural Festival following the implementation of the two-tier local government model. He expressed hope that the commune's experience would inspire other localities, particularly remote areas with large ethnic minority populations, to organize similar events. Such activities would not only help preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of Vietnam's ethnic communities but also contribute to the successful implementation of the city's special 500-day-and-night emulation campaign, "Solidarity – Discipline – Efficiency – Breakthroughs for a civilized and modern Dong Nai."

Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai VFF Nguyen Tan Phu

Given Dong Nai's rich ethnic diversity, expanding such cultural festivals to other localities, especially remote communes with large ethnic minority populations, would provide more opportunities for cultural exchange, help preserve traditional values and further strengthen the city's distinctive multicultural identity.

By V. Thuyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho