The task of compiling the Nam Dinh Gazetteer: Incorporating valuable scientific contributions from the local area.

The project "Compilation of the Gazetteer of Nam Dinh Province" is managed by the Department of Science and Technology of Nam Dinh Province, with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, as the leading institution.
According to scientists, the Nam Dinh Gazetteer was compiled according to the standards of the National Gazetteer of Vietnam, with the task of recording, describing, and providing complete, specific, objective, and truthful information about the geography, environment, people, history, politics, economy, society, and culture of the present-day Nam Dinh region. While purely in terms of form, the 2024 Nam Dinh Gazetteer is not much different from the Nam Dinh Gazetteer completed by scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2003, the differences are quite significant in many aspects. The 2003 Nam Dinh Gazetteer was an independent monograph, divided into "parts," "chapters," "sections," "subsections," and "ideas," and presented according to the standards of a monograph. This edition of the Nam Dinh Gazetteer must be a genuine geographical work, primarily focusing on describing and surveying the current situation, comprising approximately 1,000 entries, organized into 35 chapters, 5 volumes, and 1 part of the Local Geography series of the Vietnam National Geographic.

Speaking at the workshop, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Le Doai requested the Project Steering Committee to incorporate the opinions of departments, agencies, and scientists, thoroughly update and adjust administrative place names according to Resolution No. 1104/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated July 23, 2024, on the rearrangement of district and commune-level administrative units in Nam Dinh province for the period 2023-2025; and to update as much information and data as possible on various fields within the content of the Nam Dinh Gazetteer up to 2024… to complete the product, submit it to the Provincial Party Standing Committee for approval, and hand it over to the Department of Science and Technology to proceed with the publication steps.

In early December 2024, after a year of dedicated effort, the preliminary draft of the Nam Dinh Gazetteer was essentially completed and submitted to the Department of Science and Technology for feedback from local experts.
The Editorial Board of the Nam Dinh Gazetteer received detailed feedback from experts knowledgeable in various fields of geography, demonstrating dedication and a strong sense of responsibility. Incorporating these invaluable contributions from experts, the team of scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities focused their efforts on revising the entire draft to seek official feedback from the province, its affiliated units, and experts at the draft review meeting on January 14, 2025.

At the workshop, the scientists who edited the five volumes of geographical records presented the adjustments based on the feedback received and discussed specific content in each volume.

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Van Bao (Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Hanoi) presented the revised contents of Volume One: Geography. Associate Professor Vu Van Quan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented the revised contents of Volume Two: History - Politics. Professor Dr. Truong Quang Hai (Vietnam Institute of Studies and Development Science) presented the revised contents of Volume Three: Socio-Economics. Associate Professor Dr. Dang Hong Son (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented the revised content of Volume Four: Culture - Education. Volume Five: Biographical Profiles, edited by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc (University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

The workshop also listened to, discussed, and incorporated detailed scientific contributions and opinions from leaders of departments, agencies, and scientists in Nam Dinh province. The Nam Dinh Gazetteer Editorial Board will focus intensely on completing the revision of the entire manuscript before January 22, 2025.

 

        Nam Dinh GazetteerThe aim is to provide basic knowledge about the natural geography, environment, people, history, politics, economics, society, and culture of the present-day Nam Dinh region in both overall and specific contexts.
The research findings of this project constitute a comprehensive and holistic knowledge base, providing fundamental understanding and documentation to state management levels, researchers, and society as a whole regarding current and historical issues in Nam Dinh province. This is a valuable reference document and an important database serving the comprehensive management and development of Nam Dinh province in particular and the Red River Delta region in general.
Furthermore, the local history book, compiled according to the national standards of Vietnamese local history, will be a valuable resource for research institutes, universities, colleges, and secondary schools in Nam Dinh province in implementing local education programs within the new general education curriculum.
The team of scientists participating in the Nam Dinh Gazetteer Project includes leading researchers in the fields of history, geography, culture, economics, and society… from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, research institutes, prestigious universities, and local experts.
Prior to this, scientists from VNU-USSH spent more than a year researching the geographical content of Nam Dinh province, organizing scientific workshops and research project groups before signing this scientific task contract in November 2023.
Related articles:
VNU-USSH compiles the Nam Dinh Gazetteer: A special science and technology task with contributions from leading scholars.
VNU-USSH affirms its sense of responsibility, scientific rigor, and honesty in carrying out the Nam Dinh Gazetteer Project.