Awakening heritage in the heart of Dong Nai City

The S'tieng Ethnic Culture Preservation Area in Bom Bo hamlet, Bom Bo commune, has been invested in and renovated, attracting residents and tourists. Photo: My Ny

Beyond preserving and promoting heritage values and local cultural identity, the revitalization of these sites has helped create new cultural spaces, contributing to traditional education, tourism development, and generating momentum for Dong Nai City in its ongoing development journey.

Restoring and reconstructing many heritage sites

For many years, the site marking the establishment of the Indochinese Communist Party Cell in Phu Rieng, located in Thuan Loi commune, has been regarded as a “red address” closely associated with the revolutionary struggle movement of rubber workers against French colonialism. Over time, the site has deteriorated due to the impact of natural conditions. Several structures have experienced fading surfaces, peeling paint, and moss growth. The flooring system, walkways, landscape, and auxiliary technical infrastructure have yet to receive comprehensive investment and renovation, while the exhibition area for documents and artifacts remains inconsistent and limited in scale.

In response to the above situation, Thuan Loi commune has submitted a proposal for an investment project to restore and upgrade the Phu Rieng Do Heritage Site. On February 26, Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee (now Member of the City Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee), worked with the commune and relevant departments and agencies on the project. The Vice Chairman assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take the lead, in coordination with the commune People’s Committee and relevant units, in consulting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as experts on the implementation of the Phu Rieng Do Heritage Site project. Particular attention is to be paid to preserving part of the rubber plantation area in the planning and design process, while the square must be designed to accommodate approximately 1,000 people.

The project to expand, repair, and renovate Nguyen Huu Canh Temple in Tran Bien ward is being implemented with the expectation of creating a prominent cultural and historical landmark in the heart of the city. With the City Construction Investment Project Management Board as the investor, the project covers an area of more than 10,300 square meters. Several bidding packages under the project have been or are being finalized, contributing to the preservation and promotion of heritage values while honoring the contributions of previous generations to the formation and development of the Dong Nai region.

Most recently, Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, issued Document No. 2210/BVHTTDL-DSVH providing feedback on the proposed revision of exhibition content at the Tan Hiep Prison Heritage Site in Tam Hiep ward. To ensure the quality of the exhibition content, the ministry requested that the Dong Nai City People’s Committee direct relevant agencies to inspect and review the implementation process, particularly key exhibition components, to ensure historical accuracy, aesthetic value, and suitability to the space, characteristics, and significance of the heritage site.

In addition, the explanatory content must be further refined to ensure logical and coherent connections among themes, sub-themes, and the titles of chapters and sections, thereby maintaining scientific consistency. Explanatory materials and annotations should also be strengthened to more clearly highlight the historical and cultural significance of artifacts, documents, and notable events. Relevant agencies are required to review and improve technical and aesthetic solutions, as well as the application of science and technology in the exhibition, ensuring compatibility with the nature of the historical site. Materials and colors used in repair and exhibition components must harmonize with the heritage space and must not affect the original elements that constitute the site’s value.

In addition to historical sites, many scenic spots in Dong Nai are also receiving investment and renovation attention. Notably, the People’s Committee of Tho Son commune has proposed a project to restore and renovate the Voi Waterfall scenic site in order to preserve and promote its value while tapping into its eco-tourism potential.

Managing, protecting, and promoting heritage values

Nguyen Ngoc Yen, Director of the Dong Nai Museum, said that the management, protection, and restoration of heritage sites across the city have been carried out in a coordinated manner by authorities and sectors at all levels. Units directly responsible for managing the sites regularly implement measures to preserve and protect them from natural disasters, fires, termites, and other harmful factors.

Several sites, including Nguyen Huu Canh Temple (temple component) and the Tran Bien Temple of Literature, have been restored, renovated, and effectively put into operation. Meanwhile, plans are being studied to refurbish the Bien Hoa Ancient Citadel site in combination with the development of a public square space. Recently, the Dong Nai City People’s Committee issued decisions approving the economic-technical reports for the construction of a traditional stele dedicated to the Dong Nai armed forces in Tri An ward, as well as for the restoration and renovation of Phu My Communal House in Nhon Trach ward.

Currently, heritage site management in Dong Nai City is implemented in accordance with Decision No. 2/2026/QD-UBND, dated January 13, 2026, on the issuance of the regulation on decentralization of management, protection, and promotion of heritage values. This decentralization has created a clear mechanism for responsibilities between sectors and localities, contributing to improving proactivity in management, preservation, and proposing restoration for sites showing signs of deterioration.

Beyond preservation efforts, local authorities and management units are actively promoting heritage values through various sightseeing tours, traditional education programs, festivals, and community cultural activities. As a result, heritage sites are becoming vibrant cultural spaces that strengthen community bonds and contribute to creating momentum for tourism development in Dong Nai City during the new phase.