International Conference on Anthropology and Development in Contemporary Vietnam

In her opening remarks at the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa emphasized the important role of Anthropology in research on development, contributing to policy advice and development planning. Accordingly, Anthropology has a long history worldwide and holds a significant position and role in the study of human beings and society. In Vietnam, Anthropology focuses on studying human beings from economic, cultural, social, and environmental perspectives, linked to development in specific areas such as mountainous regions, urban areas, and coastal areas. In reality, during the process of reform and international integration, development policies have been realized through development programs and projects in various regions, creating impressive successes in economic growth. However, this has also left significant impacts on the environment, culture, and society in these communities. The negative aspects and challenges of development have been studied, but they also need to be approached, identified, and analyzed more effectively with the contributions and coordination of various entities, including the field of Anthropology. Through its interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological framework, Anthropology affirms its role in analyzing and explaining development. Anthropologists also apply anthropological methods, providing practical knowledge to bridge the gap between policy and practice, and participate in the development and implementation of the Party and State's development policies.

From a total of 75 abstracts, 35 high-quality abstracts were selected for full papers to be presented at the conference. These papers were judged to be of high quality, possessing strong scientific content, and addressing many important issues in practice and development policy. This was clearly and vividly demonstrated through 3 keynote reports and 10 reports presented in the two subcommittees of the program.

At the opening session, the workshop heard three keynote presentations: Anthropology and Ethnic Policy Making (presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Ba Nam); Cultural Resources and Community Development: An Anthropological Approach (presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Chinh); and Anthropology and Development (presented by Dr. Emmanuel Pannier).

The workshop aims to create a forum for anthropologists and development experts to share new research findings related to anthropology and development in Vietnam, thereby discussing prospects, proposing solutions and recommendations, promoting professionalism, improving research effectiveness, training quality, and the application of anthropology to address practical development issues in Vietnam today and in the future.