New perspectives on archival sources concerning Vietnam-France relations.

Effective collaboration in archival science between universities and institutions in Vietnam and France.
Speaking at the conference, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated that since the first academic meeting between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Aix-Marseille University in 2014, the two universities have regularly engaged in numerous exchange activities, such as thematic seminars, international conferences, bilateral visits and working sessions, joint teaching courses and seminars, with increasingly extensive participation from lecturers, researchers, and doctoral students.
Particularly in recent years, these activities have not been limited to academic exchanges between the two universities, but have expanded into a multi-stakeholder cooperation network: between universities, national archives, local historical archives, such as Aix-Marseille University, the French Embassy in Vietnam, AUF Asia-Pacific Region, the French National Overseas Archives (ANOM), Vietnamese archives agencies - from the State Archives and Records Department, National Archives Centers I and III, provincial historical archives centers, to archives organizations of ministries and sectors…
This effective collaborative relationship provides an opportunity for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, to further affirm its strategic direction: linking research and training activities with international partners and domestic archives, based on shared values ​​in science, culture, and historical memory.

Professor Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his desire to further expand the cooperative relationship between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and organizations, universities, and research institutes in France and Vietnam in the development of archival science. Professor Guy Le Thiec - Dean of the School of Arts, Literature, Languages ​​and Humanities (Aix-Marseille University)

Speaking at the conference, Professor Guy Le Thiec, Rector of the School of Arts, Literature, Languages ​​and Humanities (Aix-Marseille University), affirmed the depth of the scientific and intellectual relationship between France and Vietnam. Despite periods of significant historical change, Vietnam and France remain connected by a priceless shared documentary heritage, reflecting the memories, cultures, and developmental journeys of both nations.
Furthermore, it is the strong academic relationship between elite researchers from both countries that extends beyond the collaboration between the two universities, encompassing national archives, the French School of Far Eastern Studies (EFEO), the French National Overseas Archives (ANOM), and many leading research institutes in France and Vietnam. This intellectual connection has formed a shared scientific community where knowledge, documents, and people converge to preserve and promote the value of heritage.
Mr. Romain Joulia, Director of the French National Overseas Archives (ANOM), emphasized that ANOM is an important academic partner in preserving, digitizing, and disseminating historical documents for international scientific research.

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, delivered a speech at the conference. Professor Nguyen Phuong Ngoc, Vice Rector of the School of Arts, Languages ​​and Humanities, Aix-Marseille University, emphasized the important role of archiving in preserving and promoting the value of Vietnamese-French documentary heritage.

Professor Nguyen Phuong Ngoc, Vice Rector of the School of Arts, Languages ​​and Humanities at Aix-Marseille University, stated that Vietnam is currently finalizing its application to UNESCO for recognition of the French colonial period documents – currently held at Vietnam's National Archives No. 1, 2, and 4, and in France – as a World Documentary Heritage. This is the result of many years of cooperation, research, and academic exchange between the two countries. Within this framework, cooperation in the field of archives has been strengthened through professional exchanges, human resource training, and experience sharing.
Last May, when the French President visited Vietnam along with the French Minister of Culture, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the field of document preservation and archiving.
The delegates expressed their confidence that the academic cooperation between universities, especially the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi and Aix-Marseille University, will continue to develop extensively, contributing to enriching the shared knowledge base and heritage between Vietnam and France.
Discussing new approaches to archival sources on Vietnam-France relations.
Building upon the achievements already made and developing the cooperative relationship and scientific exchange, the international workshop "Archival Documents on Vietnam-France Relations - An Interdisciplinary Approach" was organized to analyze and evaluate the role of archival documents in scientific research and promote international cooperation on the preservation and exploitation of documents, and the development of digital humanities projects related to Vietnam-France relations.
The workshop was attended by leaders from the two universities, representatives from the French Embassy in Vietnam, the Association of French-Speaking Universities (AUF), the French National Overseas Archives (ANOM), and many scholars from research institutes, archives, and universities both domestically and internationally.
The workshop consisted of two working sessions with more than 15 scientific reports, focusing on four major themes: (1) sources and value of Vietnamese-French archival documents; (2) interdisciplinary approach in archival research; (3) application of technology and digital humanities in archival studies; (4) prospects for international cooperation in research and training. In her presentation, "A Scholar Family Amidst Colonial Turmoil: Personal Records of Two Officials Preserved at the National Archives Center I," Professor Dr. Nguyen Phuong Ngoc (Aix-Marseille University) pointed out how colonial administrative records reflected life and social changes in Vietnam in the early 20th century, contributing to the reconstruction of the history of Vietnam-France relations from a human perspective.
Subsequent presentations at the conference discussed issues such as analyzing the academic value of Sino-Vietnamese documents in the study of Vietnamese history (the topic "Smashing the Mirror to Find the Reflection - Traces of Vietnamese History through Archival Documents" by Dr. Cao Viet Anh, Institute of Sino-Vietnamese Studies); and recreating the first diplomatic turning point in Vietnam-France relations after World War II (the topic "Documents on the Visit of Government and National Assembly Delegations to the Republic of France in 1946" by Ms. Le Thi Ly, National Archives Center III).
From an anthropological and sociological perspective on archival studies, MSc. Nguyen Van Ngoc (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented "Documents on the repatriation process of Vietnamese people in Nouvelle-Calédonie and Nouvelles-Hébrides at the French Diplomatic Archives: Value and accessibility." Meanwhile, Dr. Cam Anh Tuan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) reported on "The collection of fragmented articles from the journal L'Humanité at the French National Overseas Archives: Archival and historical value," showing how the French left-wing press reflected the Vietnamese national liberation movement. MSc. Dinh Kim Ngan (Archives Department of the Central Party Office) presented "Collecting, gathering, and promoting the value of documents on Vietnam-France relations at the Historical Archives of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam," emphasizing the role of Party documents in the study of bilateral diplomatic relations.
Topics related to digital humanities and international cooperation in archiving brought many fresh perspectives to the conference. Philippe Le Failler (EFEO), with his presentation "Administrative, Economic and Technical Archival Records: How to Conduct Research on Hanoi's Architectural Heritage," introduced an approach to administrative documents in urban studies. Marc Bui and Pascal Bourdeaux (EPHE, France) followed with their paper "Researching Vietnamese historical documents in manuscript or printed form using automatic recognition: Some illustrations from the Vietnamica digital library," demonstrating the application of artificial intelligence in digital humanities.
The presentations at the conference also had an interdisciplinary feel, such as: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Ngoc Kien (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) with the paper "Intertextual archiving on Franco-Vietnamese relations in the digital age"; Bui Thi He (National Archives Center I) and Dr. Tran Thi Loan (National Academy of Public Administration) with the paper "Archival resources for research on colonial fairs and exhibitions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries"; and the creative presentation by Marina Ludemann (Goethe Institute) and artist Ottjörg AC with the project "Hanoi: A convergence point: between archival memory and imagination".
The workshop provided a comprehensive and multifaceted picture of the Vietnamese-French archives, ranging from administrative and diplomatic history to culture and art, while affirming the role of international cooperation in preserving, digitizing, and promoting the value of archival heritage for scientific research and academic exchange between the two countries.
Here are some photos from the workshop:    
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