50 years of progress alongside the nation.

Over 50 years of formation and development, the literature and arts of Tay Ninh province have made significant progress, contributing to improving the cultural and spiritual life of the people.

Many works of art and literature endure through time.

During the resistance war, the Central Propaganda Department of the Southern Region—a gathering place for most revolutionary artists and writers nationwide—gathered immortal works amidst the flames of war, enduring through time and making a significant contribution to the national liberation struggle, such as the songs: "Going to the Mountains," "The Banks of the Vam Co Dong River," "Forest Music," "Spring in the War Zone," "The Song of Sewing Clothes," etc.

During the 1979 war to defend the southwestern border, songs like "Singing About Him," "Your Voice Is Like a River," "You Cross the Wooden Bridge," and "Flowers on the Front Line"... authentically portrayed the feelings of composers The Hien, Le Van Loc, Nguyen Duc Trung, Nguyen Cuu Dung, and others—members of the youth volunteer force reinforced from Ho Chi Minh City.

Ms. Dang Thi Phuong, President of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts (on the right), presents a commemorative medal from the Vietnam Union of Associations of Literature and Arts to an individual who has made significant contributions to the development of literature and arts in the province.

Tay Ninh is also the birthplace of artistic talents such as Xuan Hong, Thanh Hien, Van An, Dao Van Thanh, Tam Bach, Vo Dong Minh, Le Chi Trung... who have contributed to enriching the province's culture and arts. In addition, Tay Ninh has many local artists who received their training in the North, such as Xuan Hong and Thanh Hien, or who matured through the resistance war, such as Cuu Long Thi, Phan Van, Van An, Xuan Phat, Xuan Quang, Thanh Hai, Giang Dong, Le Chi Trung, and Thanh Nhan...

On October 13, 1984, the Tay Ninh Provincial Association of Literature and Arts was established to gather and nurture talent, promote the creation and dissemination of works, and develop a comprehensive and professional plan for the province's literary and artistic development. The association brought together local artists and writers, along with some individuals from Ha Bac and Ho Chi Minh City (following the government's policy of establishing new economic zones), and those from the North and Central regions who had settled and established themselves in the former war zone.

The Provincial Association of Literature and Arts was awarded the title of "Outstanding Unit in Completing Tasks in 2023" and received the emulation flag from the Vietnam Union of Associations of Literature and Arts.

Over the course of six Provincial Congresses of the Association of Literature and Arts, the organization has grown steadily, with an increasing number of members. As of the end of 2024, the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts had 311 members, of which 139 were Party members, accounting for 44.69%; senior members accounted for over 50%; 68 members were under 40 years old, accounting for 21.86%; and 62 members belonged to central-level specialized fields, accounting for 19.9%.

Proud achievements

Over the years, numerous creative camps, workshops, and seminars have been organized to promote artistic creativity; creative and promotional activities have achieved many outstanding results, specifically: the publication of many books and anthologies of poetry, prose, stage scripts, and music ... The province has decided to establish the Xuan Hong Literary and Artistic Award (awarded every five years). To date, the province has organized the award ceremony three times, thereby recognizing many contributions of artists and writers in the province.

Representatives of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts presented certificates of commendation to individuals and groups who achieved outstanding results in their work in 2023.

For the awards for creative works, promoting literary, artistic, and journalistic works on the theme "Studying and following the thoughts, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh," from 2010-2025, more than 391 works by 207 authors participated in the selection process. Of these, 62 works with high content value and artistic quality were submitted for consideration at the central level and awarded at the provincial level. As a result, the central level awarded 3 Encouragement Prizes and 1 Collective Encouragement Prize. To date, the province's arts and culture sector has 664 works that have won awards at various levels, including 29 international awards and 147 national awards.

Pham Hung Thai, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, visits the calligraphy booth at the 2023 Lantern Festival Poetry Night.

Tay Ninh's arts and culture have developed in diverse forms, reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the people. In the literary genre, works with rich language, profound content, vivid imagery, and strong literary qualities are exemplified by the novels "Clinging to the Land," "Growing Up," the long story "Saigon 46," and the short story "Caged Bird" (by Van An).

The literary works of Tay Ninh over the past 50 years have made new strides compared to the previous period, with an expanded scope of themes and topics; a bolder and more insightful approach to real life; a greater diversity of genres and writing styles; and a truthful reflection of the changes in the country and the people of Tay Ninh in the new era.

Acting Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Thanh presented a flower basket to congratulate the Lantern Festival Poetry Night of the Year of the Snake 2025.

In terms of music, many songs are deeply rooted in revolutionary traditions, shining with the qualities of unwavering loyalty, affection, and solidarity between the military and the people, building the image of the Ho Chi Minh soldier in peacetime, or the working people in the period of reform and integration. The creative force is quite rich, including: soldier-musician Xuan Hong, musicians Le Chi Trung, Le Chi Khoi, Le Huu Trinh, Le Hoang Minh, Le Hong Tang, Tran Quang Cuong, Nguyen Dinh Hong, Nguyen Quoc Dong, Quoc Tay, Hoai Nguyen, Hoai Nhan, Nguyen Trong Quy, Anh Thu, Huynh Oanh, and a number of young authors such as Nguyen Thien Truong, Anh Thi... (there are 9 members of the Vietnam Musicians Association).

The dance movement in Tay Ninh has been a constant companion to the province's arts and culture, with works vividly reflecting the love for the land and people of Tay Ninh. Dance is present in almost all programs and events of the province... with many renowned choreographers such as: artists Anh Hong, Kim Phung, Quang Cuong, Hung Du, Tan Loi, Kim Chi, Viet Phuong, Thu Trang, Hoang An, Trong Chinh, Hoai An, Thanh Tam, Minh Triet...

In the field of photography, photographers have contributed to preserving and transmitting many artistic, historical, humanistic, aesthetic, and educational values, effectively and promptly serving the province's political tasks in each historical period and meeting the public's need for cultural and artistic enjoyment.

In particular, over the past 10 years, many artists have won numerous international, national, and regional awards. Notable photographers include Meritorious Artist Thanh Nhàn, Lê Bi, Lê Văn Đính, Đỗ Thành Nhân, Dương Đức Kiên, Nguyễn Duy Hậu, Dương Vĩnh Tuyên, Nguyễn Huỳnh Đông, Nguyễn Nhật Tường, Nguyễn Viết Tiến... Currently, eight photographers are members of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

In the fields of painting and sculpture, the artworks of artists in the province have depicted the beauty of the people and homeland of Tay Ninh during the period of renovation, with prominent names such as Tran Ha, Nguyen Van Binh, Nguyen Huu Thoai, Dang Van Thuc, Tran Van Chinh, Pham Ba Cuong... Currently, 11 artists are members of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. In 2024, 4 works were selected by the Art Council to be displayed in the ASEAN Graphic Art Competition and Exhibition 2024 at the Hai Phong Museum, organized by ASEAN.

Artists participated in creating artwork on the graphic printing press of the Fine Arts Branch - Tay Ninh Provincial Association of Literature and Arts.

In the field of theater, the strength of Tay Ninh province's theater lies in its Vong Co folk songs and Southern Vietnamese folk music, with many works known nationwide such as: "The Tay Ninh Bus Trip," "The Reluctant Prince," etc. Notable playwrights and artists include: Xuan Phat, Thanh Hai, Nguyen The Nghiem, Dang Minh, Thanh Phuong, Kim Tung, Hoang Sen, Xuan Hoa, Hong Ngu, Xuan Loan, Bao Chau, Hoang Chinh, Nhat Minh...

In the field of folk arts, the province currently has 3 members of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association and 3 folk artisans. Models for introducing folk culture to the younger generation have been developed, such as: teaching traditional music and singing in some secondary schools; opening classes at cultural institutions in the province; and disseminating folk knowledge through various lively forms such as experiencing traditional crafts, watching folk performances (xây chầu, bóng rỗi, hầu đồng, hát bội). These activities, implemented synchronously and effectively, have contributed to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and the safeguarding of the province's cultural identity.

To date, Tay Ninh has many recognized local cultural and artistic heritages, such as: the Cai Luong (traditional Southern Vietnamese opera) art form, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the Chhay-dam drum dance of the Khmer ethnic group in Truong Tay commune, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage; 5 artists have been awarded the title of "Outstanding Artist" by the President of Vietnam, 14 artisans have received the title of "Outstanding Artisan"; and the Vietnam Folk Arts Association has recognized 3 artisans as "Folk Artisans".

Hoang Yen

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/van-hoc-nghe-thuat-tay-ninh-50-nam-vuon-minh-cung-dan-toc-a188899.html