The research is thorough, rigorous, and highly practical.The event not only marked a remarkable academic achievement by the research team but also reflected the depth of development of Anthropology at one of the country's leading training centers. Given its significance, the book launch attracted the participation of many experts, researchers, lecturers, students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and various associations and research institutes.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truong Giang - Head of the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies, delivered the opening remarks at the book launch.
In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Truong Giang - Head of the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies - emphasized that the two books are the result of meticulous, serious, and highly practical research in the context of social media permeating every aspect of community life, making important contributions to anthropological research and the field of social sciences and humanities.
The works focus on analyzing the role of social media in the community and ethnic life in Vietnam, while also providing a multifaceted perspective on the impact of technology on culture and social communication.
Associate Professor Dr. Lam Ba Nam - President of the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology, former Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, chaired the book launch event for the two books.
When social media becomes the subject of anthropological research.After a three-year gestation period, the book "Social Media and Ethnic Groups in Vietnam from an Anthropological Perspective" has been published with great dedication from the chief editor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Suu (former Head of the Anthropology Department, now a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) and the team of authors. The book comprises nine chapters, focusing on how ethnic groups in Vietnam access and use social media and express their cultural identity in the digital environment. From the cases of the Hmong and Thai people to young urban dwellers, social media is seen not only as a means of communication, but also as a space for identification, reflection, and cultural negotiation.
The book has opened a new research direction on social media and ethnicity, and ethnicity and social media, from an anthropological perspective in national and international contexts; suggesting new ethnographic approaches and encouraging an approach to social media and ethnicity in Vietnam that combines exploration of both direct and online spaces to move closer to a comprehensive understanding of the research subject. The studies also show the profound influence of social media on ethnic groups in Vietnam, while offering some valuable policy suggestions.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Suu - Editor-in-chief of the book "Social Networks and Ethnic Groups in Vietnam from an Anthropological Perspective" - shared about the research and publication process of the book.
Meanwhile, "Street Corners, Street Stalls, and Facebook" by Associate Professor Dr. Vuong Xuan Tinh, consisting of four parts, takes on an academic autobiographical style, reflecting on the transition from traditional communication spaces to technological communication. The book presents key findings such as the widespread use of Facebook among young people from ethnic minorities. It also serves as a tool for maintaining and recreating ethnic cultural identity. The author emphasizes that identity, or a form of ethnic stereotype, also influences interaction on Facebook.
Read the book here.
Associate Professor Dr. Vuong Xuan Tinh - Former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Ethnology, author of the book "Corner of the Banyan Tree, Street Stalls and Facebook" shares his thoughts with readers.
Also participating in the discussion were Dr. Tran Huu Son (Director of the Institute of Applied Cultural Research, former Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Lao Cai province) with the topic "The role of social networks in connecting ethnic groups"; and Dr. Bui Thi Bich Lan (Deputy Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Religious Studies) with the topic "The role of social networks in enhancing the social status of ethnic minority women".
The launch of these two research works contributed to promoting interdisciplinary academic exchange between Anthropology, Ethnology, and other fields of sociology and cultural studies in the context of rapid digital transformation. With rich content and modern approaches, the two books, "Social Networks and Ethnic Groups in Vietnam from an Anthropological Perspective" and "Street Corners, Street Stalls, and Facebook," are not only valuable academic contributions but also open up many new approaches in the study of social networks, ethnic groups, and cultural identity in Vietnam today.
The event also demonstrates the efforts of the Faculty of Anthropology and Religious Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in promoting scientific research related to contemporary issues, while creating an open, multi-dimensional, and in-depth environment for academic knowledge exchange. This is an important step in affirming the role of Vietnamese anthropology in explaining, reflecting, and accompanying the rapidly changing social conditions under the impact of modern communication technology.
The authors presented books to individuals, organizations, and delegates attending the book launch.
Scientists attending the book launch took a commemorative photo with the authors.
