TTLA: Preserving oral documents through research on the memoirs of veterans in the Vietnam War from 1954-1975

DOCTORAL THESIS INFORMATION

1. Full name of the researcher:Nguyen Hong Duy              

2. Gender: Male

3.Date of birth: November 22, 1981

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision on recognition of PhD students No. 2999/2013/QD-XHNV-SDH dated December 30, 2013 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on recognition of PhD students of course QH-2013-X

6. Changes in the training process:

- Decision No. 743/QD-SDH dated October 28, 2015 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on adjusting the thesis topic name.

- Decision No. 4619/QD-XHNV, dated December 29, 2016 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on extending the study time of PhD students of course QH-2013-X

7. Thesis topic name:Preserving oral documents through research on the memoirs of veterans in the Vietnam War from 1954 to 1975.

8. Major: Archival Studies Code: 62.32.03.01

9. Scientific instructor:Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Xuan Chuc,Dr. Nguyen Lien Huong

10. Summary of new results of the thesis:

- Firstly: Explained "oral documents" (a type of oral document), its characteristics, historical value and role in archives, and its limitations compared to other documents. Although the theoretical issues are mainly inherited from foreign studies, their application in Vietnamese conditions is extremely necessary. This is an important result to serve as a basis for determining a type of document that needs to be included in archives in Vietnam today.

- Second, the thesis has systematized the theory on the method of collecting, processing, storing and promoting the value of foreign interview documents. This also helps to supplement our current theory on archiving. Although there are still differences in research perspectives and conditions in Vietnam, these issues need to be soon applied to our country's practice to suit the general trend of the world.

- Third, the value of interview documents was assessed through the actual conduct of interviews with witnesses who were veterans during the war. It can be said that the experimental implementation of the thesis has shown that the implementation of interview document projects in Vietnam is completely feasible. In addition, the historical value of the documents has shown that it is necessary to include them in the archives.

- Fourthly, from the research results, the thesis proposes some general solutions for management agencies, research and training agencies on archiving as well as specific solutions when collecting interview documents.

11. Practical application:

- The interview method can be used in collecting oral documents from archives in Vietnam.

- The research results of the topic can be thematic orientation for some new research in archiving.

- The research results of the topic can be used to develop additional course content in the archival training program.

12. Further research directions:

- Research on issues related to the archival value of interview documents. Although this is an objective that the thesis has aimed for, it cannot be denied that the reception of interview documents as an object of archival studies requires more extensive research because it will affect theoretical issues such as: the definition of archival documents, principles and methodologies of archival studies.

- Legal issues related to interview documents need to be studied in many aspects such as: copyright issues, intellectual property, especially the issue of protecting the copyright of witnesses related to the exploitation and use of these documents in practice.

- Research on issues related to the operations of interview documents when storing them in the actual conditions of Vietnam.

13. Published works related to the thesis:

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2016), “History through narrative and issues raised with the theory of archival work”, Vietnam Journal of Documents and Archives (7), pp.24-28.

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2016), “The issue of managing and promoting the oral documents at the National Archives Center III”, International Scientific Conference “Archival documents on Vietnam in the modern period - Value and accessibility” - University of Social Sciences and Humanities - November 2016, pp.65-68.

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2017), "Regulations on copyright and intellectual property protection issues for interview documents", Vietnam Archives and Records Journal (1), pp.18-22.

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2017), “Interview Documents and Issues for Archival Training”, Scientific Conference “Orientation for the Development of Archival Studies in Vietnam in the Context of Regional and International Integration” - University of Social Sciences and Humanities - November 2017, pp.163-164.

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2017), “Challenges in the theory of archival work for oral documents and some proposals”, Vietnam Journal of Archives and Records (12), pp.12-15, 28.

INFORMATION OF DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Ph.D candidate: Nguyen hong Duy 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: November 22, 1981 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision: No. 2999/2013/QD-XHNV-SĐH dated December 30, 2013 of University of Social sciences & Humanities.

6. Changes in academic process:

- Decision No. 743/QD-SĐH dated October 28, 2015 of University of Social sciences & Humanities on changing the thesis title.

- Decision No. 4619/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2016 of University of Social sciences & Humanities on extension of study time for Ph.D candidates in QH-2013-X course.

7. Thesis title: Oral history archive through studying the recollections of military veterans in the Vietnam War (1954-1975)

8. Major: Archival Science Code: 62.32.03.01

9. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Chuc, Dr. Nguyen Lien Huong

10. Summary of the new findings of the thesis

- Firstly, interpreting “oral document” (a kind of oral history); its characteristics, roles and historical values ​​for archives and its disadvantages in comparison with other kinds of documents. Although the theoretical dimensions have just been inherited from international research, but the application into real circumstances of Vietnam is obviously crucial. It is considered an important outcome as the basis to identify a new kind of documents that need to be stored and preserved in the archives of Vietnam today.

- Secondly, the thesis systematized theories on the archival methods, such as collection, appraisal, preservation and use of oral documents from international research. It helps to supplement our archival theories. Despite of differences on research perspectives and gaps of real circumstances between Vietnam and developed countries, these research matters need to be as soon as possible applied in Vietnam as a common trend of the world.

- Thirdly, evaluate the values ​​of oral documents through interviewing the military veterans as the witnesses of the war. It can be said that through the empirical research, this thesis shows the considerations of the projects on oral documents in Vietnam if implemented. In addition, historical values ​​of interview documents have required them to necessarily be stored in archives.

- Fourthly, as the results of the research process, this thesis proposes some common solutions for management agencies, research and training institutions on archives as well as solutions when collecting oral documents.

11. Practical applicability, if any

- Interview method can be used in collecting oral documents by the archives in Vietnam;

- The results of this project will contribute some trending topics for new research on archive;

- The results of this thesis can be used to develop and change the training curriculum on archive.

12. Further research direction, if any

- Study some related matters on archival values ​​of oral documents. Although this is a target for which the thesis is directed, but it cannot be denied that the acceptance of interview documents as a subject of archival science requires broader research because of its influences on archival theories, such as the definition of archival documents, principles and methodologies of archival science.

- Some related matters on legal framework of oral documents need to be studied in a number of respects: copyright, intellectual property, especially the protection of witnesses' copyright related to the use of this material in practice;

- Study some issues related to archival profession for oral documents when delivered to archives in practice of Vietnam.

13. Thesis-related publications

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2016), “History through stories told and some issues for archival theories”, Vietnam Records and Archives Journal, (7), pp. 24-28;

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2016), “Management and value strengthening the oral documents in Vietnam National Archive III”, International conference “Archival documents about Vietnam in modern and contemporary history – Values ​​and accessible possibilities”, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Nov. 2016, pp. 65-68

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2017), “Legal framework on copyright and the protection of intelligent property for oral documents”, Vietnam Records and Archives Journal, (1), pp. 18-22;

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2017), “Oral documents and some issues on archival training work”, Scientific workshop “Development orientation of archival sciences in Vietnam in the context of regional and international integration”, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Nov. 2017, pp. 163-164;

- Nguyen Hong Duy (2017), “Challenges posed in theories of archival sciences for interview documents and some suggestions”, Vietnam Records and Archives Journal, (12), pp. 12-15 and 28.