1. Full name of the doctoral candidate:Tran Xuan Hung2. Gender:Male
3. Date of birth: 05/09/1991 4. Place of birth:Hanoi
5Decision to admit doctoral students:Decision 4055/2022/QD-XHNV, dated December 28, 2022, of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University.
Hanoi.
6. Changes in the training process:Decision No. 8469/QD-XHNV dated December 2, 2025, of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, on adjusting the title of the doctoral dissertation of a research student.
7. Thesis title:Economic transformation of Vinh Yen province from 1890 to 1945
8. Major:History of Vietnam9. Code:9229010.05
10. Scientific supervisor:
- Main supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, lecturer at the Faculty of History and Culture, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
- Co-supervisor: Dr. Truong Thi Bich Hanh, High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities.
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis
Research objectives and subjects
This dissertation focuses on researching and clarifying the following issues: The economic situation of Vinh Yen province at the end of the 19th century and the economic transformations of the province at the beginning of the 20th century; Clarifying the consequences of a multi-dimensional and complex interaction process between external and internal factors; Clarifying the transformation of the appearance of traditional economic sectors and the emergence of new economic activities; Supplementing, drawing out the characteristics and assessing the impact of economic transformations on the socio-cultural aspects of Vinh Yen province.
The thesis identifies the research subject as the movement and transformation of the economy of Vinh Yen province during the period 1890-1945; clarifying the current state and transformation of traditional economic sectors, and the emergence and development of new economic sectors.
Research methods
The dissertation is based on the foundation of Marxism-Leninism, combining a comprehensive approach, rationally applying Marxist historical methodology (historical method, logical method) along with specialized and interdisciplinary research methods (regional studies, sociology, statistics, economics, and ethnology), and methods of interviewing and field research.
Key results
During the period 1890-1918, the economic transformations of Vinh Yen focused on changes in the industrial structure, with the emergence of new economic activities linked to the investment and exploitation of the French colonialists, and the construction and reinforcement of infrastructure to serve the economic interests of France.
Traditional economic sectors in Vinh Yen continue to be maintained, with internal transformations occurring within each sector due to the emergence of Western-style production methods and techniques. This transformation, however, has not yet escaped the nature of a traditional economy, with agriculture remaining dominant, food crop cultivation playing a leading role, and other sectors providing support and primarily focusing on serving agriculture. These new factors play a role in "shifting" the province's economy towards integration into the region and the world.
During the period 1919-1945, the economic sectors of Vinh Yen underwent significant transformation. While some sectors experienced growth, compensating for shortages and maintaining market supply, others declined and disappeared. Science and technology, along with modern production methods, contributed significantly to the modernization of traditional economic sectors. Intra-provincial and inter-provincial trade became more vibrant. New economic sectors continued to contribute to the province's economic development. Agriculture remained the key sector in the province's overall economy.
The economic transformation of Vinh Yen has five characteristics: The economy was profoundly impacted by colonial exploitation policies; strong economic sectors were invested in and modernized; traditional economies shifted strongly towards modernization; the economy was disrupted and developed in a supporting direction; and the modernization process of the economy was slow and had many limitations.
Due to economic and demographic changes, urbanization gradually encroached upon the Vinh Yen provincial capital area. Cultural and social life in Vinh Yen province also underwent transformations (changes in population structure; the emergence of new social classes alongside socio-economic development; increasingly deep ethnic and class conflicts leading to anti-French resistance movements).
Conclude
i. The economic transformation of Vinh Yen province during the French colonial period was the result of a complex, multifaceted interaction between external forces and internal capabilities.
ii. The period 1890-1945 shaped the economy of Vinh Yen, with its scale, growth rate, and industrial structure profoundly influenced by colonial characteristics, creating a pivotal but unbalanced and dependent transformation.
iii. The economic transformations of Vinh Yen share both the general characteristics of the Vietnamese economy and possess unique features that clearly reflect the impact of local natural conditions and population on the economic landscape. The process of cultural exchange between West and East is clearly demonstrated through manifestations in both material and spiritual aspects of culture.
iv. The thesis draws several lessons learned in economic development for local administrative units today:
Firstly, investment should be directed towards sectors and fields that are the strengths of the locality, prioritizing key industries (automotive, electronics), tourism, digital economy, and high-tech agriculture.
Secondly, a strategic vision is needed in local economic development planning, orienting local development in line with national trends and global integration.
Thirdly, it is necessary to prioritize investment to ensure that economic transformation goes hand in hand with improvements in people's lives; economic growth must go hand in hand with improving living standards and narrowing the gap between rich and poor.
Fourth, Vinh Yen needs to be recognized as an integral and inseparable component of the regional, national, and international economic system, shifting from local governance to inter-regional and international connectivity to leverage resources.
Fifth, develop a green economy, develop eco-industries, organic agriculture, and focus on environmental protection.
12. Directions for further research
- History and culture of Vinh Yen province in the modern era.
- The economic history of Vietnam in the modern era.
- Vietnamese culture and society in the modern era.
13. Published works related to the dissertation
i. Tran Xuan Hung (2023) “The process of opening roads to Tam Dao (Vinh Yen province) in the early 20th century”,Vietnam Journal of Social Sciences, Volume 2 (182), pp. 99-108.
ii. Tran Xuan Hung (2023), “Tam Dao Resort (Vinh Yen Province) in the French Colonial Period”,The First International Conference on The Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 703-727, Vietnam National University Press, Hanoi.
iii. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Some traditional crafts of Vinh Yen province during the French colonial period”,Journal of Ethnology, Volume 2 (242), pp. 110-120.
iv. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Trade of Agricultural Commodities of Vinh Yen Province during the 1930s”, The Second International Conference on The Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 589-601, Vietnam National University Press, Hanoi.
v. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Trade activities in Vinh Yen province in the 1930s of the 20th century”,Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Volume 10 (3), pp. 228-244.
vi. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Hill Stations in Vietnam during the French Colonial Period: The Case Study of Tam Dao”,The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies,Vol 8 (4), pp. 81-94.
vii. Tran Xuan Hung, Nguyen Thuy Hien (2025), “French cultural imprint in Vinh Yen at the beginning of the 20th century”,Journal of Historical Studies,Volume 7 (591), pp. 38-47.
viii. Tran Xuan Hung (2025), “Some aspects of planning and construction of mountain resorts in Vietnam in the first half of the 20th century”,Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities,Volume 11 (5), pp. 638-652.
INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS
1. Full name:Tran Xuan Hung
2. Sex:Male
3. Date of birth: 5 September 1991
4. Place of birth:Hanoi
5. Admission decision number:4055/2022/QD-XHNV dated 28 December 2022 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
6. Changes in academic process:Decision on the adjustment of the doctoral dissertation title for the PhD candidate, No. 8469/QD-XHNV dated December 2, 2025, by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
7. Official thesis title: The Economic Transformation of Vinh Yen Province
from 1890 to 1945
8. Major:YG Music
9. Code:9229010.05
10. Supervisors:
- Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, Faculty of History and Culture, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
- Co-supervisor: Dr. Truong Thi Bich Hanh, High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities.
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis
Thesis purpose and objectives
The thesis focuses on researching and clarifying the following issues: The economic status quo of Vinh Yen Province in the late 19th century and the economic transformations of the province in the early 20th century; clarifying the consequences of a multi-dimensional and complex interaction between exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal) factors; elucidating the transformation of traditional economic sectors and the emergence of new economic activities; supplementing and identifying characteristics, as well as evaluating the impact of economic shifts on the socio-cultural fabric of Vinh Yen Province.
The thesis identifies its research subject as the dynamics and transformation of Vinh Yen's economy during the 1890–1945 period; clarifying the reality and shifts within traditional economic sectors, alongside the birth and development of modern economic components.
Produce methods
The thesis is grounded in the foundations of Marxism-Leninism, combining a comprehensive approach with the rational application of Marxist historical methodology (historical and logical methods). Additionally, it utilizes disciplinary and interdisciplinary research methods (area studies, sociology, statistics, economics, and ethnology), as well as interview techniques and field surveys.
Major results
In the 1890-1918 period, economic transformations in Vinh Yen centered investment on structural shifts, with the emergence of new economic activities closely linked to the French colonial exploitation and programs. These were associated with the construction and reinforcement of infrastructure systems designed to serve French economic interests.
Traditional economic sectors in Vinh Yen continued to be maintained but undergoing internal transformations with the appearance of Western-style production methods and techniques. However, these changes did not yet break free from the nature of a traditional economy: agriculture remains dominant, food crop cultivation held a leading position, and other economic sectors played a supporting role, mainly revolving around serving the agricultural base. New factors played a pivotal role in "reorienting" the provincial economy toward regional and global integration.
In the 1919-1945 period, Vinh Yen's economic sectors underwent more distinct transformations. While some sectors found opportunities to develop - compensating for commodity shortages and maintaining market supply - others declined and disappeared. Modern science, technology, and production methods significantly contributed to the modernization of traditional economic sectors. Intra-provincial and external trade became more vibrant. New economic sectors continued to contribute to the province's overall economic landscape. Nevertheless, agriculture remains the backbone of the entire provincial economy.
The economic transformation of Vinh Yen is characterized by five key features: It was profoundly impacted by colonial exploitation policies; comparative advantage sectors received investment, and the means of production were modernized; the traditional economy adapted and shifted toward modernization; the economic structure was forcibly improved and developed in a subsidiary direction; the process of economic modernization remains slow with numerous limitations.
Resulting from these economic and demographic changes, urbanization gradually permeated the provincial capital of Vinh Yen. The socio-cultural life also undergoes transformation, marked by changes in the demographic structure, the emergence of newsocial strata arose from socio-economic development, and deepening national and class contradictions, which led to anti-French resistance movements.
Revisions
i. The economic transformation of Vinh Yen Province during the French period was the result of a multi-dimensional and complex interaction between exogenous impulses and endogenous capacities.
ii. The 1890–1945 period shaped the economy of Vinh Yen; however, its scale, growth rate, and sectoral structure were deeply governed by its colonial character, creating a landmark yet unbalanced and dependent transformation.
iii. The shifts in Vinh Yen's economy carry both the general characteristics of the Vietnamese economic situation and unique local traits, reflecting the impact of natural conditions and local demographics. The East-West cultural acculturation was clearly manifested through expressions in both material and spiritual culture.
iv. The thesis draws several lessons for contemporary local economic development:
First: Invest in sectors of local strength, prioritizing spearhead industries (automobiles, electronics), tourism, the digital economy, and high-tech agriculture.
Second: Maintain a strategic vision in economic planning, aligning local development with national trends and global integration.
Third: Ensure adequate investment so that economic transformation goes hand-in-hand with improvements in people's lives; Economic growth must be accompanied by poverty reduction.
Fourth: View Vinh Yen as an inseparable component of regional, national, and international economic systems, shifting from local governance to inter-regional and international connectivity to amplify resources.
Fifth: Promote a green economy, eco-industrial development, organic agriculture, and emphasize environmental protection.
12. Further research directions
- The History and Culture of Vinh Yen Province in the Modern Era.
- The Economic History of Vietnam in the Modern Era.
- The History and Culture of Vietnam in the Modern Era.
13. Thesis-related publications
i. Tran Xuan Hung (2023) “The Process of Constructing the Road to Tam Dao (Vinh Yen Province) in the Early 20th Century”,Vietnam Social Sciences, Vol 2 (182), pp. 99-108.
ii. Tran Xuan Hung (2023), “Tam Dao Resort (Vinh Yen Province) in the French Colonial Period”,The First International Conference on The Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 703-727, Vietnam National University Press, Hanoi.
iii. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Traditional Handicrafts of Vinh Yen Province Under French Colonial Rule”,Journal of Ethnology, Vol 2 (242), pp. 110-120.
iv. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Trade of Agricultural Commodities of Vinh Yen Province during the 1930s”, The Second International Conference on The Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 589-601, Vietnam National University Press, Hanoi.
v. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Trading Activities in Vinh Yen Province during the 1930s”,VNU - Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol 10 (3), pp. 228-244.
vi. Tran Xuan Hung (2024), “Hill Stations in Viet Nam during the French Colonial Period: The Case Study of Tam Dao”,The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies,Vol 8 (4), pp. 81-94.
vii. Tran Xuan Hung, Nguyen Thuy Hien (2025), “French Cultural Imprints in Vinh Yen in the Early 20thCentury",Journal of Historical Studies,Vol 7 (591), pp. 38-47.
viii. Tran Xuan Hung (2025), “Overview of Planning and Construction of Hill Stations in Vietnam in the First Half of the 20th Century”,VNU - Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities,Vol 11 (5), pp. 638-652.
Author:Department of Training and Non-profit Organization
Newer news
Older news
