Workshop “Anthropology in Vietnam: History, Current Status and Prospects”

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Luong highly appreciated the significance of this academic activity in the context of Anthropology increasingly affirming its important role in the development of a multi-ethnic country with a unique and rich culture like Vietnam. Researching and learning about the culture, economy and society of the nation-state in general and ethnic groups in particular has been the goal and mission of Ethnology over the past decades. With scientific skills and enthusiasm, Ethnologists have actively participated and effectively contributed to the construction and implementation of development policies in general and ethnic development policies in particular at each historical period.

In the trend of transforming Ethnology towards Anthropology, in order to expand research fields, improve training quality and international integration, Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Luong suggested that scientists should pay attention to some issues in the research process:

One is to continue to consider ethnic minority issues as an important topic and research object, consider mountainous areas as areas that need attention, organize research and exploration.

Second, it is necessary to continue to promote the training of human resources in Anthropology, with extensive knowledge of ethnic groups and ethnic cultures in mountainous and island areas to serve more actively and effectively the cause of national construction.

Third, continue to create and apply anthropological knowledge, methods and approaches to the work of preserving, exploiting and promoting ethnic cultural values.

Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Luong delivered the opening speech at the Workshop.

Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Luong affirmed: The Party and the State always value the contributions of scientists, including Ethnologists and Anthropologists at home and abroad. In particular, the Faculty of Anthropology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities is always a prestigious and reliable consulting address on ethnic affairs and policies of the Government Ethnic Committee.

At the plenary session, delegates listened to two reports, including: "Diversity and unity, unity in diversity - the endogenous strength of the culture of the Vietnamese ethnic community" presented by Associate Professor, Dr. Lam Ba Nam - President of the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology; report "Innovation in organization, training and research of the Institute of Ethnology under the influence of Anthropology (2000-2015)" by Associate Professor, Dr. Vuong Xuan Tinh - Director of the Institute of Ethnology.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Ba Nam - President of the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology presented the introductory report at the Conference.

Delegates at the Workshop

Next, the Workshop worked in subcommittees with the main contents:

• Nguyen Van Huyen and Vietnamese Anthropology in the First Half of the 20th Century.
• Social capital and social networks.
• Rituals and beliefs.
• Ethnicity and ethnic culture.
• Anthropology training - current situation, problems and solutions.
• Teaching Anthropology - practical and suggestive.
• Tu Chi in Vietnamese Anthropology in the Second Half of the 20th Century.
• Migration, livelihoods and social change.
• Cultural heritage, tourism and sustainable development.
• Opportunities and challenges for Anthropology research and training in Vietnam in the context of globalization.