Subcommittee 1, with the theme "Vietnam-Japan Relations in the Modern Era"The conference was chaired by Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro (Vietnam-Japan University); Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (University of Social Sciences and Humanities); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Quan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Director of the Center for Marine and Island Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi).
With a total of nine papers presented both in person at the conference and online, Subcommittee 1 focused on researching perceptions, support for exchange and cooperation in education, and technology transfer in the modern era. At the conference, the discussion sessions and papers also presented positive views on the prospects for Vietnam-Japan cooperation in peacetime and expectations for strengthening the friendship between the two countries in the future.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam Yamada Takio sent his congratulations to the Conference.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, Yamada Takio, emphasized: “The current Vietnam-Japan relationship can be said to be the best it has ever been. This relationship has a long historical tradition dating back to ancient and medieval times. In 1973, the two countries officially signed diplomatic documents, establishing relations between them, and it has now been 50 years. This is a very important milestone, and both countries are undertaking many activities to commemorate this event. I highly appreciate the significance of today's international scientific conference, organized with close cooperation between experts from Vietnam and Japan. The conference serves as a testament to this excellent relationship and contributes to opening a new era of development in the fields of historical and cultural research and educational activities between Vietnam and Japan.”
Subcommittee 2: “Vietnam-Japan Relations in the Pre-Modern Period”
The presiding committee of subcommittee 2 included Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo (Rector of Vietnam-Japan University); Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Director of the Center for Marine and Island Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi); Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro (Vietnam-Japan University), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thu Giang (Vietnam-Japan University), along with many lecturers, scientists, researchers, and students from various universities and research institutes nationwide.
Presiding Committee of Subcommittee 2
Subcommittee 2 had a total of 6 presentations emphasizing the trade exchange between Vietnam and Japan in the pre-modern period, as evidenced by relics and artifacts such as coins and ceramics; and the cultural exchange through literary works and language.
Dr. Do Thi Thuy Lan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented a paper entitled "Overview of Ancient Japanese Coins Discovered in Vietnam: A Historical Perspective".
In her presentation "Overview of Ancient Japanese Coins Discovered in Vietnam: A Historical Perspective," Dr. Do Thi Thuy Lan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) shared: The discovery of Japanese metal coins in Vietnam is crucial data and information for studying diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries during the Pre- and Early Modern periods. Along with ceramics and other artifacts, these coins provide authentic evidence of past exchanges between Vietnam and Japan, affirming the presence and influence of the Japanese overseas throughout history.
"The involvement of Japanese archaeologists since 2006 in the study of ancient coins, and from 2015-2016 in the study of Ha Tinh trading ports, ceramics, and ancient coins, has brought about new scientific methods and contributed greatly to recent achievements. These collaborations, along with the "speaking coins," have been, are, and will continue to be manifestations, evidence, and prospects for the 50-year diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Japan. And certainly, there will be even more to come, in terms of time, scope, achievements, and even sentiment."—Dr. Do Thi Thuy Lan stated.
In her paper "Vietnamese Tea Pottery - The Dating and Historical Context of 'Annam Pottery' Brought to Japan," Dr. Nishino Noriko stated that pottery produced in Vietnamese pottery villages arrived in Japan and was used in the context of tea ceremony culture. To this day, Vietnamese pottery, also commonly known as "Annam pottery," is still cherished and passed down through many generations in Japan.
Professor Momoki Shiro gave an overall assessment of the conference.
Summarizing the scientific content of the entire conference, Professor Momoki Shiro (Vietnam-Japan University) affirmed: The presentations at the conference were extremely rich and diverse, possessing high academic value and reflecting an objective perspective from both Vietnam and Japan. The reports are evidence of international exchange, learning, and innovation from both countries. Thanks to the progress in archaeology in Vietnam, the people of both countries and international friends will be able to admire the good relationship and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan through artifacts such as coins, ceramics, and literary works.
According to Professor Momoki Shiro, the seminar "Vietnam-Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future" will serve as a foundation and direction for research and exchange in many other fields between the two countries in the future, such as economics, regional environment, education, cultural preservation, and historical values. In the future, more seminars will be held, promoting the exchange of knowledge and finding new research directions in scientific research.
Professor Furuta Motoo (Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University) delivered the closing speech.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Professor Furuta Motoo (Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University) emphasized that the international scientific conference "Vietnam-Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future" was a forum for exchanging and highlighting the successes and achievements of Vietnam-Japan interaction, from ancient and medieval times to the modern era. On behalf of the conference organizing committee, Professor Furuta Motoo expressed gratitude to the organizers and Vietnamese and Japanese scholars for their multifaceted and in-depth research contributions, which contributed to the success of the conference and promoted sharing and enhanced understanding between the two countries.
Professor Furuta Motoo shared:I began studying Vietnam in the early 1970s. As a living witness to 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, reviewing and understanding the relationship between the two countries plays a crucial role in the development of bilateral cooperation.
Therefore, today's seminar has contributed, to some extent, to promoting mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, and is a contribution to the important milestone of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan relations. As the Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, I pledge to train high-quality human resources, a future generation of young people who will be a bridge to strengthen the equal partnership between our two countries."
The conference featured a total of 15 presentations offering diverse perspectives from numerous scholars from Vietnam and Japan. It served as a platform for exchange between universities in Vietnam and Japan, and also provided an opportunity for Vietnamese students to network and learn from international peers.
Some photos from the seminar "Vietnam-Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future":
Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hoang Anh Tuan, delivered the opening speech at the conference.
Representatives and leaders from the Vietnam-Japan University and its partners in Japan.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Director of the Center for Marine and Island Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) chaired the discussion session of subcommittee 2.
