Dong Nai upholds traditions, sets sights on sustainable development

In the development journey of every locality, there are always values accumulated from the past, from traditions and persistent efforts of the present, as well as aspirations for the future. This is a combination of historical values, traditions, science, and the spirit of innovation in the business community and among every citizen.

Dong Nai is innovating every day based on upholding traditional values and the aspiration for sustainable development. In the photo: A corner of northern Dong Nai province. Photo: Phu Quy

As a land rich in revolutionary traditions, Dong Nai is entering a new phase with aspirations for sustainable development. When elements such as tradition, technology, and knowledge are connected, they will create a synergistic strength to firmly lead Dong Nai province into a new era.

Revolutionary tradition - a solid spiritual foundation

Dong Nai is a land rich in traditions, deeply imprinted with the spirit of patriotism, resilient will, and great sacrifices of previous generations. The spirit of patriotism, self-reliance, self-improvement, and the aspiration to rise are core values that have been nurtured through many generations of Dong Nai residents.

Veteran Doan Ngoc Chau (residing in Phuoc Long ward), who participated in the Road 14 - Phuoc Long Campaign, is over 70 years old this year. His hands are still strong, and his eyes still shine with persistent faith - the faith of a generation that has gone through wars, now continuing to contribute to building their native Dong Nai through very ordinary actions.

Chau still vividly remembers the 25-day-and-night battle of the Road 14 - Phuoc Long Campaign. At that time, he and Company 15 of the Special Forces, part of the local army, were tasked with gathering intelligence on the enemy, mobilizing civilian evacuation, guiding, and joining our main forces in the attack, contributing to the liberation of Phuoc Long on January 6, 1975.

After the country's reunification, Chau's baggage was not only war memories but also the aspiration to contribute to building his heroic homeland - where he lives - to be increasingly prosperous and beautiful. Having experienced the fires of war, the former soldier now sets himself a new mission: educating the younger generation about traditions. The Phuoc Long Ward Traditional Storytelling Club, chaired by Chau, has made progress, with more propaganda sessions, and more diverse quality and forms, linked to commemorative activities and important historical milestones of the country, contributing to igniting the revolutionary tradition for youth union members and teenagers in the area.

Comrade Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, meets and talks with veterans who participated in the Road 14 - Phuoc Long Campaign on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of Phuoc Long (January 6, 1975 - 2026). Photo: Truong Hien

History and culture are the roots that form identity, a source of soft power of development, and the spiritual strength for future steps. Having been involved in local historical research for many years, Tran Quang Toai, former Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Historical Science Association, tells stories about Dong Nai with all his dedication. For Toai, every relic, every page of history is a "sacred memory" that needs to be cherished, preserved, and passed down to future generations.

Tran Quang Toai shared: When defining history, it is a memory, a past journey of a person, a community, a nation, so history records profound imprints in the formation and development process of a land, including Dong Nai province.

"Dong Nai is a land with a revolutionary tradition, a tradition of opening up land, laying the foundation and basis for the development of the Southern region in the 17th century. Dong Nai also has very profound characteristics in the process of forming its land, or in other words, the identity of its citizens, so that we can identify ourselves, know who we are, where we are, and what we must do to develop," emphasized Tran Quang Toai.

Also according to Tran Quang Toai, history is not just stories lying dormant in books, but a spiritual source that nurtures the aspiration for sustainable development of Dong Nai in particular in the new era. Cultural history is both a source of pride and an encouragement to strive for higher aspirations in the present and future, so cultural history has lasting value. Cultural history is a potential, an inexhaustible resource that we can exploit for development.

Igniting pride, promoting a sense of responsibility

Upholding tradition is not about preserving it in a static manner, but about being reflected in the will to overcome difficulties, a sense of responsibility, and the aspiration to rise up of every citizen of Dong Nai today, as well as igniting spiritual values to create internal motivation for overall development.

In the morning at the Public Administration Service Center of Hung Phuoc commune - a remote, border commune of Dong Nai province, the atmosphere had already become bustling. People arrived early to complete administrative procedures, everyone hoping to finish their work early in the day. Inside the center, commune officials and civil servants were also ready for a new day. Greetings, discussions about documents, interspersed with friendly laughter, contributed to spreading the spirit of "service-oriented administration" to every citizen, warming the hearts of the people in this border region.

Nguyen Cong Danh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Phuoc commune, expressed: "Given the tasks assigned by the Party and the State, the responsibility of a civil servant is to resolve matters quickly, sufficiently, and in accordance with regulations. Everyone must spare no effort to make the administrative procedures for the people more convenient and to truly demonstrate the nature of serving the people, showing the people's trust in the Party and the State."

Along with other localities nationwide, 95 communes and wards in Dong Nai province are daily affirming their role as the "extended arm" of the Party and the State with a more streamlined apparatus and higher operational capacity.

The transition to a two-tier local government model places very high demands on grassroots officials, civil servants, and public employees because they must be proficient and capable in many tasks, especially always being close to the people, attentive to them, and maintaining a regular presence at the grassroots - so that all policies and guidelines of the Party and the State truly come to life.

Pham Trung Sang (residing in Long Thuy 4 residential area, Long Thuy ward) shared: "When the two-tier local government model came into operation, I saw many innovations, which are the very good spirit and working attitude of local officials and civil servants, who are close to the people and always open. That is also all that people hope for, so when everything is convenient, the people are very excited."

In 2026, Dong Nai province has set 36 socio-economic development, national defense - security targets, including: 8 economic targets (of which, GRDP economic growth reaches 10%; GRDP per capita at current prices reaches 179.2 million VND; the growth rate of state budget revenue compared to 2025 is 10-12%...); 19 cultural and social targets; 6 environmental targets; and 3 targets on national defense - security and social order.

Connecting tradition and future aspirations

\In a developing society, every individual, every organization, every policy is a "brick" building the future. And the strength of the future comes not only from individual fields but from connection, coordination, and mutual support, which is the direction and administration of Party committees and authorities; the dedication of young people; the support of science - technology; and the spiritual strength of history and tradition. When these resources converge, all heading towards a common goal, Dong Nai province will continue to write a story of more sustainable and distinctive development.

Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Commander of the Dong Nai Provincial Military Command, and Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang, talk with M'nong people in Bu Gia Map commune about brocade weaving. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Dang Quoc Nghi, Chairman of the Dong Nai Young Entrepreneurs Association, shared: With the glorious historical tradition of the nation through generations of struggle for national independence, today we have a developing country, a dynamic Dong Nai, with an economy that is converging strong development power, economic development stemming from tradition, converging strength from the "hardworking but heroic Southeastern region". Continuing the glorious tradition of the nation, young entrepreneurs in Dong Nai in particular are also inspired and empowered in economic development activities, especially the Innovative Startup Movement in the current period, contributing to the development of the country as well as Dong Nai province.

In the context of strong development in science - technology, innovation, and the aspiration to rise of each locality, Dong Nai is undergoing a breakthrough transformation. Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, believes: To ensure that science - technology, innovation, and digital transformation move beyond a supporting role to become a "breakthrough driver" for Dong Nai in the 2025-2030 period, the industry identifies key priorities such as: focusing on high technology and the semiconductor industry; promoting "green economy" and environmental technology; building a science - technology market and promoting commercialization; breakthroughs in digital human resources and leading experts. By 2030, the science - technology, innovation, and digital transformation is expected to contribute over 30% to the province's economic growth by 2030.

Entering a new development phase, Dong Nai faces great opportunities from inter-regional transport infrastructure, digital transformation, and deep international integration. In this journey, upholding historical - cultural traditions, converging the power of science - technology, as well as the internal strength of businesses and people, is a solid foundation for building Dong Nai to develop rapidly, sustainably, and comprehensively in the future.

By Anh Ngoc – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha