The mission of the Social Sciences and Humanities is to build the Vietnamese people of the new era.

The forum is part of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of the University's tradition and the 30th anniversary of its establishment, attracting the participation of many scientists, experts, and managers from within and outside the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).
The forum is part of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of the University's tradition and the 30th anniversary of its establishment, attracting the participation of many scientists, experts, and managers from within and outside the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is organizing a scientific forum with the theme "Training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context".
The imprint of the "Synthetic School"
Speaking at the conference, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, emphasized: In the development of higher education, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is always aware of its mission to train, research, and disseminate humanistic knowledge, contributing to shaping ideology, creating a knowledge foundation, and providing high-quality human resources for the development of the country.
From its academic origins marked by the "Synthetic School," the University has gradually transitioned to a modern university model with advanced educational philosophies such as student-centered learning, liberal arts education, and the integration of traditional and modern teaching methods. The number of academic programs has expanded significantly: from 10 programs (in 1994) to 20 programs (in 2009) and 30 undergraduate programs by 2025. Alongside this, master's and doctoral programs have been streamlined and integrated in an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach, aligning with contemporary social science trends.

Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, former Rector of the university, stated: The university's development strategy must revolve around the research university model. From research to training, everything must be innovated to adapt to the knowledge economy, digital transformation, and the requirements of university autonomy.
He affirmed that social sciences and humanities are playing an increasingly important role in policy planning, human development, and solving national problems. Therefore, training and research must be geared towards applicability, international integration, and connection to practical needs.

At the forum, many opinions assessed that social sciences and humanities are facing both opportunities and challenges in the context of globalization, digital transformation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the demands of developing a knowledge-based economy.
Professor Phung Huu Phu, former Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council of the Communist Party of Vietnam, member of the Central Committee of the Party, and former Rector of the university, believes that social sciences and humanities do not directly generate GDP, but play a fundamental role and serve as a "source technology" for the development of all socio-economic fields. Factors such as institutions, policies, human development, culture, and the quality of human resources all originate from knowledge in social sciences and humanities.
He emphasized that a prosperous country is built first and foremost on high-quality human resources and on the self-reliance and self-strength of the Vietnamese people.
In the age of technology, according to Professor Phu, social sciences and humanities must play a role in fostering human thinking, character, ethics, and adaptability – the decisive factors for effectively exploiting technology. "Smart technology requires a wise nation," he affirmed, while emphasizing the task of social sciences and humanities in building the Vietnamese people of the new era. Integrate AI skills into training programs.
From a university management perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Head of Training Department, Vietnam National University, Hanoi – believes that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) is an inevitable trend. The university needs to proactively build digital capabilities and integrate AI skills into its training programs to "turn challenges into opportunities."
He also suggested that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities significantly expand its training space at the Hoa Lac campus to serve the growing scale and modern learning needs of students.
Several experts from other training institutions such as Hanoi University of Culture, Academy of Journalism and Communication, etc., shared the common difficulties of the social sciences and humanities field, especially the requirement to link training with the labor market, design programs in an interdisciplinary direction, integrate digital competency frameworks, and cooperate with businesses in training.
The opinions emphasized that the social sciences and humanities sector needs to drastically innovate its training model, increase its applicability, develop digital skills, interdisciplinary skills, and modern research methods to keep pace with the rapid changes in society.

Development orientation in the new context: interdisciplinary – digitalization – integration
One of the highlights of the forum was the discussion on the direction of training and research in social sciences and humanities in the coming period. Many opinions suggested that the university should continue to build on its traditional strengths while undergoing significant transformation to adapt to the new context.
Professor Pham Quang Long, former Rector, proposed that social sciences and humanities must innovate their research approaches, increase interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary content, and connect with solving practical problems of the country. He stated: "Without a solid foundation in humanities, sustainable development is impossible."
Associate Professor Dr. Luong Van Quyet (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City) emphasized the strong link between the two largest humanities institutions in the country, contributing to the creation of a broad and distinctive academic exchange space, while also adapting quickly to changes in social sciences both domestically and internationally.
From a historical research perspective, Associate Professor Vo Xuan Vinh believes that the research team must be strengthened in a specialized direction, capable of adapting to new methods and applying technology. This is a condition for social sciences and humanities to produce high-quality works that serve policy planning and international integration.

Delegates attending the forum all agreed that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities needs to continue to affirm its core role in the humanities education system of Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the whole country; quickly adapt to global development trends; and improve the quality of training and research to maintain its position as the leading center of social sciences and humanities in Vietnam.
The scientific forum "Training and Research in Social Sciences and Humanities in the New Context" is not only an opportunity to summarize 30 years of development of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities within the structure of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, but also an important foundation for the University to determine its development strategy in the new phase.
The insightful opinions from scientists, managers, and experts have suggested many important directions: modernizing training programs, strengthening interdisciplinary approaches, digitalization, and international integration; expanding the training space; developing a high-quality research team; and linking research with the practical development of the country.
The forum affirmed that social sciences and humanities, with their mission of placing people at the center of development, continue to play a pioneering role in building culture, developing human resources, and promoting social progress. This is also a practical contribution of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to the overall development of Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the country in the new era.

The press reported on the event:
People's Representatives Newspaper:The mission of the Social Sciences and Humanities is to build the Vietnamese people of the new era.
Education and Times Newspaper:Orientation of training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context.
Culture Newspaper:Orientation of training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context.
Hanoi New Newspaper: Finding directions for training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context.
Vietnam National University, Hanoi:Training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context.
Vietnam.vn:Multidimensional discussion on training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context.
Business and Investment Magazine:Shaping a new vision for training and research in social sciences and humanities.eat