Culture as an intrinsic development driver

As Dong Nai enters a new stage of development, the city has placed people at the centre of its development strategy while recognizing culture as the spiritual foundation for inspiring aspirations, for advancement and a spirit of dedication.

Artists and performers from the Dong Nai Theatre perform for local residents. Photo: My Ny.

Promoting cultural values and fostering well-rounded, friendly, compassionate, civilised and modern citizens help strengthen Dong Nai’s intrinsic strength, reinforcing great national solidarity bloc and creating fresh momentum for sustainable socio-economic development.

Unlocking the potential of culture

With a history spanning nearly 330 years, Dong Nai has developed alongside the nation's Southward expansion. Beyond its long history, the city is also distinguished by its rich cultural identity and diverse heritage. Dong Nai is home to 121 recognized historical and cultural relics, including six special national relic sites, 42 national relic sites and 73 provincial-level relics, as well as nearly 1,500 inventoried heritage sites.

Dong Nai is also home to one UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Art of Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern Amateur Music), along with 11 nationally recognised intangible cultural heritage elements. These include the traditional hand-pounding rice practice of the S’tieng and M’nong ethnic groups, the S’tieng people's traditional rice wine-making techniques, and the Sayangva Festival of the Choro ethnic group. These cultural treasures not only preserve the city's identity but also help educate people about patriotism, strengthen their political resolve, and  contribute to building a solid "people's hearts and minds" posture in the cause of national construction and defence.

Artists from the Dong Nai Centre for Culture and Cinema perform for local communities.

In recent years, Dong Nai has invested in developing a comprehensive network of cultural institutions at the grassroots level, while improving the quality of libraries, museums, cultural centres and theatres. The city has also accelerated digital transformation in the cultural sector. Notably, Dong Nai has organized a series of large-scale artistic events and festivals to promote its image. Among the most notable were the artistic epic programme "Dong Nai – Southern Spirit Rising with the Nation" and the Golden Cashew Festival, both of which attracted widespread public attention.

At the same time, local authorities have continued to preserve and promote the value of historical relics and cultural heritage. Numerous heritage sites have been restored and upgraded.

Phuoc Long ward is home to five recognised heritage sites and two additional inventoried sites. Among the most prominent is the Ba Ra–Phuoc Long Temple Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage event held annually in the third lunar month, attracting large numbers of residents and visitors while showcasing the friendly and hospitable image of Dong Nai.

According to Master Tran Quang Toai, Chairman of the Dong Nai Historical Science Association, the city possesses abundant cultural resources, with a rich collection of both tangible and intangible heritage. If properly preserved, connected and effectively promoted, the cultural values of Northern and Southern Dong Nai will help safeguard local identity, inspire development aspirations and enhance the city's competitiveness during international integration.

By 2045, Dong Nai aims to build a healthy and civilized cultural environment while fostering comprehensive human development. The city also seeks to make cultural industries and the creative economy important drivers of sustainable growth. Under this vision, revenue from cultural and tourism services is expected to contribute around 3% of the city's GRDP, while Dong Nai strives to rank among the top three localities nationwide in the Human Development Index.

Culture in step with development

Recognizing culture as both the spiritual foundation of society and a catalyst for development, Dong Nai is integrating cultural values into every aspect of community life. The nationwide "All people unite to build a cultural life" movement has continued to expand alongside programmes on new-style rural and civilized urban development. Various cultural models in residential communities, government agencies, organizations and businesses have been maintained effectively, contributing to maintaining social order and creating favorable conditions for socio-economic growth.

Meanwhile, literary and artistic activities have increasingly reflected contemporary life. People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, Chairman of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, said literature and the arts have continued to reflect the city's transformation through works portraying local residents, daily life and ongoing development. The association has organized numerous field trips to help writers and artists draw inspiration from everyday life while bringing creative and performing activities closer to local communities, promoting cultural values and showcasing Dong Nai to a wider audience.

The achievements recorded in recent years provide a solid foundation for the city to further translate national cultural development policies into practical goals and solutions suited to the requirements of the new development stage.

On July 22, Le Truong Son, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, signed a plan to implement the City Party Committee’s Standing Board's programme for carrying out Politburo Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture throughout the city.

Under the plan, by 2030, Dong Nai aims to allocate at least two per cent of its annual state budget to cultural development, while encouraging greater private-sector participation and social investment in cultural activities. Revenue generated by cultural services, tourism and cultural industries is expected to account for around 2% of the city's GRDP, with Dong Nai aiming to rank among the country's top five localities in the Human Development Index.

By M. Ny – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha