International scientific conference "Memories, recollections, and archival documents about Vietnam - humanistic values ​​viewed from multiple perspectives"

The conference was attended by many international scholars from the USA, France, the UK, Germany, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, China, and other countries. More than 60 papers focused on three main themes:
- Humanistic values ​​derived from recollections, memories, and archival documents about war and peace in Vietnam;
- Humanistic values ​​derived from recollections, memories, and archival documents about Vietnam's economy and society;
- Humanistic values ​​derived from recollections, memories, and archival documents on Vietnamese culture, education, science, and history.
In addition, some presentations introduced sources and archival materials in Vietnam and around the world related to all three topics mentioned above.

Using a humanistic approach, the articles and speeches focus on source materials reflecting human destinies, the remaining memories of history, and lessons from the past from the perspective of those involved, as well as researchers both domestically and internationally.

In addition to scholars and historical witnesses, the conference also featured presentations by journalist Larry Berman, author of the book "The Perfect Spy" about the legendary Vietnamese intelligence figure Pham Xuan An; and journalist and photographer Ted Englemann, who made a significant contribution to bringing a copy of the diary of martyr Dang Thuy Tram from the United States to her family in Vietnam. Alongside the conference, there was a thematic photo exhibition titled "The Home Front During Wartime," organized by the National Archives Center IV, the Youth Museum, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Photo gallery from the workshop:

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, delivered a welcoming speech to the scientists attending the conference.

International scholars came from the USA, France, the UK, Germany, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, China, and other countries.

Professor Ron Milam, representing the Institute for Peace and Conflict at Texas Tech University (USA), spoke at the opening ceremony of the conference.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Ngoc, representative of the Institute for Asian Studies at Aix-Marseille University, delivered a speech at the opening of the workshop.

Associate Professor Dr. Vu Thi Phung (Department of Archival Studies and Office Management) presented the introductory report at the plenary session.

Professor Larry Berman (University of California, USA) presented a report titled "The Mysterious Life of Pham Xuan An through Archival Documents and Interviews" at the plenary session. His paper highlighted the crucial role of archival documents and the individual's own memories in helping him reconstruct the portrait of one of Vietnam's legendary journalists and intelligence agents.

Dr. Ron Milam presented a paper titled "Teaching from the Vietnam War: From the 'Bottom Up'" at the plenary session. Concluding his presentation, the speaker shared: "Previously, our students thought of Vietnam as synonymous with war, and we are now striving to spread the message 'Vietnam is the country, not a war'."