New information and scientific knowledge about boats and methods of boat use in Vietnamese history.

This scientific issue has attracted the attention of many reputable researchers.
In his opening remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Cuong - President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association - emphasized that boats have left their mark on many aspects of history, playing an important role in the economic and social development of Vietnam, attracting the research interest of many scientists. With this significance in mind, the Vietnam Historical Science Association, in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and specifically the Asian Maritime and Trade Research Group, organized a scientific conference on the theme "Types of Boats and Methods of Boat Use in Vietnamese History".

In his opening remarks at the conference, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Head of the Asian Maritime and Trade Research Group, stated that, as a strong research group at Hanoi National University, the group has successfully organized four scientific conferences on Vietnam's maritime spaces. The results of these conferences have made significant scientific contributions to the role and position of Vietnam's seas, especially in terms of diplomatic relations and trade. The research findings have also made practical contributions to ministries, departments, and localities in preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage. Building on these achievements, the conference focuses on boats and their historical use in Vietnam, aiming for new, interdisciplinary approaches to the premise and context of the development of river and sea transportation; the types and characteristics of boats; and the role of boats in political, economic, diplomatic, and cultural life.
The conference received 23 high-quality scientific papers from reputable scientists at universities and research institutes nationwide, including: the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Vietnam Historical Science Association, the Museum of Ethnology, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Conservation Management Center, Hanoi University, Dai Nam University, Dong A University, etc.

Highly appreciating the value of the conference, Professor Vu Duong Ninh - former Head of the Department of International Studies, President of the Association of Retired Faculty Members of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi - said that the conference was meticulously prepared, with many approaches and new academic points. The opinions raised on the role and function of boats; the development of boats through different historical periods; and knowledge of boatbuilding techniques were profoundly expressed in the papers and presentations at the conference. These are timely perspectives with high scientific value. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Mai Hung - Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association

Associate Professor Pham Mai Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, stated: “Vietnam has a dense network of rivers from North to South, with a long coastline and a dense network of seaports. This shows that boats are extremely important not only for national economic development but also for national defense. From the perspective of cultural heritage preservation, we consider Vietnamese boats as a type of heritage, possessing special value in both tangible and intangible aspects. Through the scientific values ​​provided by the conference, the public gains a better understanding of the role of this heritage in the history of economic, social, cultural development and the protection of national sovereignty.”
Based on these research findings, scientists have a basis to propose solutions to relevant agencies for preserving boats, organizing thematic exhibitions, and building museums dedicated to boats and their history in Vietnam, which would have both significant conservation and educational value. Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Minh - Coast Guard Command

Providing new scientific perspectives on boats and their use throughout Vietnamese history.
The workshop was divided into three sessions: Boats and boat types in Vietnamese history; Boats and boat types in space and time; Boats and boat types: Cultural, economic, and political issues in the region. Scientists brought to the workshop diverse and fresh perspectives on boats in the nation's history from many different angles.
In the central report titled "Boats and Their Role in Vietnamese History," Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Head of the Asian Maritime and Trade Research Group, focused on analyzing the characteristics of Vietnam's and Southeast Asian natural conditions that have impacted the lives of communities and explained why, since ancient times, many Vietnamese ethnic groups have chosen boats as their primary means of transportation. The crafting and use of various types of boats in all three environments—the delta, mountains, and rivers/seas—have contributed to shaping the traditions, cultural identity, economic foundation, thinking, and lifestyles of generations of Vietnamese people. From rafts made from reeds, bamboo, and other light woods, to dugout canoes and boats made of planks, people have created boats for river travel, sea travel, and even hybrid river-sea and ocean-going vessels. Boats have been used for many different purposes in diverse natural and social environments. The Vietnamese people have made important inventions related to boats, from rudder techniques and skillful handling of the rudder to the mechanisms for using and controlling sails, which have enabled many ethnic groups to reach distant seas for diplomatic activities, economic exchange, and the transmission of knowledge, technology, and culture.
According to the professor, boats and boat types are classified into: boats for rivers and lakes (freshwater boats), boats for the sea (saltwater boats), and mixed river-sea boats (brackish water boats, adaptable to both ecosystems). They can also be classified into: small boats, medium boats, and large boats, depending on the concepts and specifications of each country and dynasty. Furthermore, they can be categorized into: public boats and private boats. There are also: boats for transportation, specifically serving ferry crossings and sea travel; warships, boats for protecting maritime sovereignty, diplomatic boats (ambassador boats), etc. From a cultural perspective, there are also sacred boats, boats used in ceremonies, royal boats, boats of the middle and common classes, racing boats, and boats used for courtship during festivals. In the spiritual world of river-sea societies, there are both real and imaginary boats. The boats are symbolic of the spiritual world (tombs, boat-shaped houses on the Central Highlands) in the ancient memories of many communities about their origins connected to the water world, rising from water. The boats also help people communicate with the world of water deities and are vessels that carry human souls from the shores of delusion to enlightenment and further to the Pure Land.
Professor Nguyen Van Kim affirmed that, from a historical and cultural perspective, the presence of boats and other watercraft can be considered the most vivid symbol of the creative spirit of traditional culture. “From ancient times, many communities must have been knowledgeable and familiar with the marine and river environments to have the courage to cross rivers and venture out to the open sea. They also undertook transoceanic voyages. This was also a process of overcoming oneself to reach horizons of freedom, serenity, and wisdom,” Professor Nguyen Van Kim emphasized.

At the conference, Dr. Tran Duc Anh Son from Dong A University presented an in-depth paper on the shipbuilding and boat building industry in Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1883). The author emphasized that the image of the boat has been closely associated with the material and spiritual life of Vietnam for generations and has become an important and fascinating research topic, attracting the attention of many scholars both inside and outside Vietnam. The shipbuilding industry and the development of boats in Vietnam during the 17th-19th centuries achieved significant successes thanks to the preferential policies of the Nguyen Lords, the Tay Son Dynasty, and the Nguyen Dynasty kings, especially Emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang. However, when Western countries, with their superior technology and inventions of more modern boats, entered Vietnam through various channels, the Nguyen Dynasty's shipbuilding industry stagnated and declined.Based on historical evidence presented in the report titled "Boats and the Seafaring Traditions of the Hoang Sa - Bac Hai Fleet," Associate Professor Dr. Tran Duc Cuong, Chairman of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, emphasized that Vietnam not only possesses a complex network of rivers and seas but also islands and island clusters. The Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos are ancient territories of Vietnam. From ancient times, the Vietnamese people built boats of various sizes, which were abundant, sturdy, and suitable for transportation, serving livelihood needs, trade, and providing the armed forces with means to fight against invading forces on rivers, lakes, and seas.

Approaching from a military perspective, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Center for Training and Professional Development of the Coast Guard, affirmed: The naval forces have played a key role in the struggle to defend the Fatherland throughout history, especially in protecting maritime sovereignty and islands. I expect the research group to conduct more in-depth studies and extend the research time on the issue of training in shipbuilding techniques, especially seagoing vessels, in modern Vietnamese history.