Attending the Workshop, on behalf of VNU and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the VNU Science and Training Council), Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Party Secretary, Rector of the University) and many scientists, lecturers, PhD students and students from faculties/institutes/departments in the university.
On the Korean side, there were Dr. Huh Dong Hyun (President of the Korean National Institute of History) and many scholars and PhD students from research institutes and universities in Korea: Korean National Institute of History, Institute of Maritime Civilizations under the Asian Humanities Foundation, Kyonggi University, Chungwoon University, and Korea University.
Besides, the Workshop also received the attention of many scientists from the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences, the Institute of History, Hanoi National University of Education, the Institute of Cultural Research, etc.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, on behalf of the co-organizers, Principal Hoang Anh Tuan congratulated and thanked the Korean National Institute of Historical Research for their sincere and effective cooperation in preparing for the successful and favorable workshop. Principal Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: “Vietnam and Korea are two countries located in East Asia, sharing many similarities in history and culture. During their historical development, the Vietnamese and Korean peoples have had close ties, frequent and rich contacts. In 1992, diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Korea were officially established, marking a major turning point in the post-Cold War relationship between the two countries. Currently, Korea is one of the countries with the largest foreign investment capital in Vietnam”.
However, up to now, in-depth, academic research on the history and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Korea by scholars of the two countries is still very modest, completely not commensurate with the research potential. Therefore, the first Vietnam - Korea International Scientific Conference has profound scientific significance, aiming to promote the study of history and cultural exchange between Korea and Vietnam, and at the same time create a network of researchers on history and culture of the two countries.
Sharing the same view with Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Dr. Huh Dong Hyun (President of the National Institute of History of Korea) emphasized: “When looking at the process of close cultural and social exchange between the two countries, I feel that it seems a bit late to organize an international scientific conference. But that also shows the great effort and determination of both units to organize this Conference right in the thousand-year-old capital of Hanoi. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU is known as a place where the most prestigious scholars in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities gather. Therefore, I really hope that the conference will open a new chapter in academic exchange between scholars in the two countries, while deepening the cooperative relationship in training and research on history and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Korea”.
Taking place over two days, with 9 in-depth and elaborate scientific reports and profound and quality comments from Korean and Vietnamese scholars, the Conference focused on clarifying a number of issues surrounding the topic of history and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Korea.
Reports of Professor Nguyen Van Kim:
The Changing Literature Block: The Response of the Joseon and Nguyen Dynasties to Western Powers in the Late 19th Century; Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Thuy:
Vietnam and Korea in World War II, Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh:
China's relations with Korea and Vietnam in the late 14th and early 15th centuries;… pointed out the historical similarities between the two countries in both the ancient and medieval times (directly and deeply influenced by Chinese civilization), and the modern times (both had to go through the oppressive and exploitative regimes of colonialism and fascism), and the people of both countries had to endure the state of war and division of the country during the Cold War. However, the different responses of the dynasties in Korea and Vietnam also left both countries with profound lessons.
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Joseon's understanding and perception of the Ming-Dai Ngu relationship in the early 15th century left important marks on the "Great" policy and national defense, successfully protecting Joseon's independence." - Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh shared.
Besides, many reports based on reliable bibliographical sources have clarified the close exchanges between the two countries, especially on the cultural and revolutionary levels, typically the report
Methods and meanings of intellectual exchange between Korea and Vietnam in modern times(Prof. Dr. Bichnara);
Revolutionary exchange between Vietnam and Korea in the first half of the 20th century(Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Manh Dung).
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Documents stored at the French National Archives that I had access to show that Ho Chi Minh had close relations with Kim Gyu-sik, Hwang Ki-hwan and Jo Soang of the Paris Committee of the Provisional Government of Korea in France." - Professor Bichnara affirmed in his article.
Dr. Seong-beom Kim and Prof. Dr. Kim Jong Ouk again showed the interest of Korean scholars in the in-depth issues of Vietnamese history with the report: "
Research on Nguyen Trai's thoughts in Dai Viet period, 15th century"and
"Research on the Phong Nhat Phong Nhi Civilian Massacre: Focus on the US Military's Pacification Campaign".
After the presentation of research results by 9 scholars, the conference spent most of its time for delegates to discuss and exchange enthusiastically on issues of mutual interest to the scientific community of the two countries.
Closing the discussion session, on behalf of the Conference Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim summarized and emphasized some of the achieved results:
- The international scientific conference “History and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Korea” is a useful and meaningful scientific event, an academic forum for scholars of the two countries to share new research results on history and cultural exchange.
- The conference took place in an open, sincere and high-quality academic atmosphere. The authors shared their views on many in-depth issues of Vietnamese and Korean history and culture: wars in Vietnam, historical figures, historical responses of the two countries to the invasion and domination of foreign powers, the basis of formation, basic stages of development in history, prospects for developing friendly relations between Vietnam and Korea in the future, etc. And even seemingly very sensitive issues that are not currently studied by many people (such as massacres of civilians during wars, etc.) were also studied and shared very openly by Korean scholars.
- The workshop attracted the participation of many scientists, not only professors and leading experts of the two countries but also many young researchers, postgraduates and students. Generational continuity in research is a precious tradition and heritage of the National Institute of Historical Research of Korea as well as the University of Social Sciences and Humanities that needs to be continued to be promoted.
- At the Workshop, many new sources of documents were updated, many new scientific issues were raised, which will be extremely valuable suggestions and foundations for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the National Institute of Historical Research of Korea to continue to have effective academic cooperation in the future.
Agreeing with the conclusions of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Dr. Huh Dong Hyun added: “For me personally, the conference was extremely successful. Through the conference, it has also shown that there are still certain differences in the way of looking at and evaluating many events that have occurred in history between scientists and people of Vietnam and Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to continue in-depth research and have scientific forums to share new research results to have a more objective and accurate view. When visiting the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, especially after two days of working with scientists, I was really impressed and appreciated the slogan "Respect the past, Grasp the future" of the University. I feel that this seems to be the motto of Vietnam in general: you respect the glorious past of the nation, do not forget the pain in history. But you are also willing to close the past to work together towards a better future, peace and friendship. I hope that with that humanitarian spirit, we will have extensive and effective cooperation in the future."
The full text of the scientific reports and papers presented at the Conference will be published in the Proceedings in Vietnamese and Korean. We invite interested readers to read them.
Some photos at the International Scientific Conference: "History and Cultural Exchange between Vietnam and Korea" taking place on May 28-29, 2024 at VNU-USSH
