Vietnamese - French scholars discuss multidisciplinary approaches in the study of history and international relations in the 20th-21st centuries

The conference gathered dozens of scientists, historians, and leading international relations experts from universities and research institutes in Vietnam, France, and several other countries.

A gathering for prestigious domestic and international scientists
This is a forum for academic exchange and discussion, as well as an opportunity to introduce research achievements, methods, and new approaches in the study of history and international relations from the perspective of Vietnamese and French scholars. The conference was organized by VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University (French Republic), and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Institute for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional French Culture. The conference brought together dozens of leading scientists, historians, and international relations experts from universities and research institutes in Vietnam, France, and several other countries, along with a large number of young researchers, postgraduate students, and doctoral students from Vietnam and France.

In his opening speech at the conference, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, highly appreciated the scientific and practical values of multidisciplinary approaches in the study of history and international relations in the 20th-21st centuries that domestic and international scholars have contributed to the conference. Accordingly, the conference received 40 reports from leading historians and international relations research experts from universities and research institutes in Vietnam, France, the United States, and many other countries.
In addition to the specialized discussions sharing theories, approaches, and new research methods, some articles deeply analyzed specific issues of the history of relations and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and France in the 20th and 21st centuries. Notably, the conference also received some summary reports on the development of methods, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches in the study of history and international relations in France and Vietnam.
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan believes that the conference will open up new research directions, methods, and new research thinking in the field of history and international relations, thereby promoting scientific, technological, and historical education cooperation between the two countries.

Expressing his honor to visit and work at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Prof. Pierre Journoud - Paul-Valéry Montpellier University sent special thanks to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for the effort to organize the international scientific conference in a short time after the Lunar New Year holiday. Prof. Pierre Journoud emphasized that the participation of prestigious scientists from Vietnam, France, the UK, the US… has brought immense scientific value to multidisciplinary approaches in the study of history and international relations in the 20th-21st century. These will be recommendations for diplomats to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries Vietnam - France in the future.
 “Vietnam is a wonderful country with a heroic history filled with tribulations and bravery, to defend our homeland and to ensure economic development. It has long built a multi-dimensional view of the world, has a flexible diplomatic strategy, inherited through many generations in history… Vietnam has inspired international scholars, and that included French scholars” - Prof. Pierre Journoud shared.

Ms. Sophie Maysonnave, Cooperation and Cultural Activities Counselor - Embassy of the French Republic in Vietnam Prof.Dr. Vu Duong Ninh attended the conference Prof.Dr. Vu Minh Giang (VNU-Hanoi) Prof. Robert Frank - Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University presented a keynote report with the theme “Sketching the history of international relations: from concept to reality” Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-Hanoi presented a keynote report on interdisciplinary trends in research, development of science and technology today Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin - Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

Since the 70s of the 20th century, the world’s historical community has continuously expanded the object, approach, and method of historical research, such as the approach to global history, transnational history, international history, military history, colonization and decolonization history, gendered history, environmental history, etc… The history sector has continuously expanded the research field by combining it with other fields of social sciences and humanities such as political science, international relations, anthropology or sociology…
 In that trend, the historical community and international relations research of Vietnam and France have continuously innovated, learning from new research discoveries, especially theories, approaches, and new research methods serving the development of the field of history and international relations research in the two countries.

Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (VNU-Hanoi) co-chaired the discussion session with the theme “War and Peace in Vietnam”

The conference reports hold diverse perspectives from many aspects in the study of history and international relations, such as the topics: "Contribution of French and Western scholars to the archaeology of Vietnam in the 20th century of Prof. Dr. Lam Thi My Dung, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hong Son (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-Hanoi); "Approach to transnational, cross-national in comparative history research of anti-colonial movement in Indonesia and Vietnam of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Thuy (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-Hanoi); “Soft power of Vietnam in the period of comprehensive international integration” of the author group Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Van Quang, MSc. Vuong Thi Thanh Thuy, MSc. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam); “History approach from science and technology: a way to interpret and research history” of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Manh Dung, Dr. Tran Xuan Thanh (University of Social Sciences and Humanities. VNU-Hanoi) and MSc. Do Thi Thu Ha (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) “Is there humanity in international relations?” by Prof. Dr. Frédéric Ramel (Sciences Po Paris, International Research Center); “Societies become invisible in international relations” by Prof. Dr. Jérémy Jammes (Sciences Po Lyon); “French cultural diplomacy to seek a new understanding of Asia” by PhD candidate Cathy Monarque, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3…
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim emphasized that the 20th century witnessed a process of globalization in many scientific fields, especially in social sciences and humanities, interdisciplinary research (IDR) has become a need, a characteristic of most scientific fields. IDR aims at a new organizational mindset, ways of applying theories, approaches, and new research methods in close cooperation between scientists and disciplines. Placing the research object in the overall, simultaneously solving the multidimensional relationship in an overall system and thus will certainly create new perceptions, as well as scientific results.
Nowadays, it is hard to regard the development of IDR as a “revolution” in the history of science technology and innovation (STI), education, and culture,… but the presence of this discipline will contribute to promoting the requirement to restructure the STI organization system to truly become a direct production force, creating momentum for the growth of the knowledge economy, socio-economic development, culture, country, and national innovation system.          
Summary information of the conference content is available here