Postal steles in the Vietnamese Han Nom inscription heritage

Vietnamica is a European project on the historical research and digitization of Vietnamese epigraphic documents – one of the projects funded by the European Research Council of the European Union. The project aims to research the history of Vietnamese tribute through epigraphic texts, digitize Vietnamese social science documents stored in Europe and Vietnam; participate in training postgraduate students and doctoral candidates; establish an electronic library, and translate and publish monographs and comprehensive studies on the history of Vietnamese tribute.

Vietnamica focuses on original texts and source materials that can yield the highest quality research results, with the Hau Bia (a type of ancient Vietnamese script) being a particular focus. The project includes a combination of research and training, as well as technology transfer, aiming to sustainably maintain research directions and create a lasting impact.

Professor Hoang Anh Tuan (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) at the Opening Session.

The project was initiated by Professor Philippe Papin, Professor of Vietnamese History at the Faculty of History and Textual Studies, Institute for Advanced Studies of the French Republic. The project is managed by the Institute for Advanced Studies of the French Republic. Collaborating organizations include the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, through the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, through the Institute of Han Nom Studies. The financial management is handled by the Francophone University Organization.

The project is expected to be implemented over 5 years, from 2019 to 2024, across a wide geographical area including Vietnam, France, and several other European countries. One year after the project's launch (November 4, 2019), a scientific seminar on the topic "Posthumous Steles in Vietnamese Han Nom Inscription Heritage" was held to provide researchers with an opportunity to exchange ideas in greater depth on the value of this unique and unparalleled type of stelae in Asia. The seminar also served as an opportunity for project participants to present their ideas and research outlines and receive feedback and comments from experts.

Speaking at the opening session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son (Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi) reaffirmed the importance of the VIETNAMICA project for research on posthumous steles and epigraphic texts, a cultural heritage of Vietnam, encompassing the economic, social, and religious history of the Vietnamese people. Since the launch of the VIETNAMICA project, member units have closely collaborated, connecting researchers and students to strengthen and promote research on various topics related to epigraphic texts and posthumous steles. This seminar is an opportunity to announce some of the research results. As a key partner, with a pioneering position in training and research in social sciences and humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi in general and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular are committed to continuing to closely cooperate with project partner units to promote the scientific and training activities of VIETNAMICA.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son delivered a speech.

Mr. Jean-Marc Lavest (Director of the Francophone University Organization for Asia-Pacific - AUF) shared that, like the VIETNAMICA project in general, this seminar marks a link in academic and cultural cooperation between France and Vietnam. Mapping, identifying, and analyzing the stelae will create a completely new database and information repository, opening up major research areas in anthropology, economics, politics, and sociology for researchers in both countries. On behalf of AUF, he expressed his deep interest and pride in supporting the VIETNAMICA team with research methodology and project organization. He also highly appreciated the close collaboration between Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Professor Philippe Papin in achieving the initial results of the project.

Jean-Marc Lasts speaks

Professor Philippe Papin (French Institute for Advanced Studies) sent a message remotely to the seminar, emphasizing the distinctive feature of the VIETNAMICA Project: establishing a collective research database based on the individual research of each researcher. Individual research is based on the simplicity and freedom of the researcher with their own methods, materials, abilities, and interests. However, these individual studies will be combined to create a comprehensive picture, forming a chronological and mapping system covering posthumous steles across different spaces and time periods. This is why the project has attracted the participation of many reputable scholars and scientific institutions from both Vietnam and France.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tuan Cuong (Institute of Han Nom Studies) read the message from Professor Philippe Papin to the seminar.

Following the opening session, the seminar continued with two more sessions:

Session 1:Presentation by researchers on epigraphy and post-epigraphies.

Session 2:Research report by PhD and Master's students of Vietnamica

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Cuong and Dr. Dinh Thanh Hieu (Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) chaired the first session.