On December 4 and 5, 2011, the 3rd International Scientific Conference on Vietnam Studies (“Engaging with Vietnam: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue”) took place at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. This conference was co-organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU) and Monash University (Australia).The theme of this conference focuses on the relationship between Western theories and methods and Asian localized values, experiences and knowledge. Therefore, the main purpose of the conference is to encourage and strengthen East-West academic dialogue to find optimal solutions in research and training in social sciences and humanities. The basic reason is that up to now, in social sciences and humanities, most theories and methods have been heavily influenced by Western-centric perspectives. Through scientific dialogue, the conference hopes to find out how projects, programs and research results have been implemented by Asian scholars, what are their meanings and roles? How do “East”, “West”, “Asia” and “local knowledge” relate to each other in research and teaching in social sciences and humanities in the context of globalization? Can the “Asian Century” become a reality in the 21st century and complement what the West has done?
The conference received nearly 100 presentations from professors, scholars, researchers, postgraduates... from Australia, Indonesia, the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Switzerland, China, the United Kingdom, Vietnam... Among the speakers were world-famous scholars such as Prof. Carlyle Thayer (Australian Defense Academy), Prof. Liam Kelley (University of Hawaii at Manoa), Prof. Stephen O'Harrow - Director of the Southeast Asian Studies Center (University of Hawaii at Manoa), Prof. Michael Singh (Western Sydney University), Prof. Philip Hirsch (University of Sydney), Prof. Viv Edwards (University of Reading, UK), Dr. Charles Morisson - Director of the East-West Center... On the side of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were reports and the participation of the following staff: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Thi My Dung (Museum of Anthropology), Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Dr. Le Quynh Nga, PhD. Ly Tuong Van, MSc. Do Thanh Loan, MSc. Hoang Hong Nga (Faculty of History), Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thien Nam (Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language), Dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh (Faculty of Sociology), Dr. Nguyen Thu Huong (Department of Anthropology) and Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Faculty of International Studies). The special guest of the conference is Mr. Duong Trung Quoc, National Assembly Delegate, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Historical Association. In his speech titled “The role of intellectuals in East-West cultural exchange”, Mr. Duong Trung Quoc raised the issue: “Today we discuss the “East-West” relationship. But for Vietnam, especially in relation to the role of Vietnamese intellectuals, we cannot help but mention the “South-North” relationship first. As a historian, after reviewing the historical process of Vietnam from the Hung Kings period to the present, Mr. Duong Trung Quoc emphasized: “That South-North relationship has dominated as the main factor of a long historical period throughout history and to this day is still an indispensable factor.” Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Allaster Cox delivered a welcome speech at the conference, highly appreciating the idea of cooperation between Monash University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, thereby creating a large forum that attracted the attention of researchers from many countries. In his welcome speech at the conference, Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Duc Nghieu, Vice Rector of the University emphasized: “With Australia in particular, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has had cooperation since the 1990s, when Vietnam had just implemented the Doi Moi policy. Up to now, hundreds of staff and students of the School have been sent to study, improve their qualifications, and study at Australian universities such as the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Sydney, the University of South Australia, etc. With an advanced education system with high professional qualifications, a friendly environment, a short geographical distance, low tuition fees, the use of English and many scholarships, Australia is becoming one of the most popular destinations for Vietnamese youth in general, and our staff and students in particular." Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Duc Nghieu also expressed his hope: “Monash University will continue to cooperate with us not only in the “Engaging with Vietnam” project but also expand its interest to other areas such as training lecturers, training high-quality human resources for some of our new majors such as: social work, management science, policy analysis, art studies, anthropology…” and committed to “do our best to create favorable conditions for scientists and students of both sides to contact, exchange and learn from each other”. In addition to the 4 plenary sessions taking place in the 8th floor Hall of Building E, the Workshop was divided into 4 sub-committees conducted simultaneously with hundreds of opinions discussed, exchanged and contributed. At the end of the Workshop, on behalf of the University’s leaders, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim expressed his thanks to Monash University and the delegates and hoped to continue cooperation in the future. On behalf of Monash University, Dr. Phan Le Ha thanked the University USSH and colleagues from Monash University have carefully and successfully organized the 3rd “Engaging with Vietnam” conference. Finally, Dr. Charles Morrison, Director of the East-West Research Center, University of Hawaii, expressed his appreciation for the professional quality of the conference as well as the professional and thoughtful organization of USSH and declared his readiness to organize the 4th “Engaging with Vietnam” conference in Hawaii in October 2012.
