Launching two new research works on social networks and ethnicity: Contributing more voices to Anthropology in contemporary society

The research is elaborate, serious and highly practical.
The event not only marked the remarkable academic achievements of the research team, but also reflected the depth of development of Anthropology at one of the leading training centers in the country. With that value, the book launch attracted the participation of many experts, researchers, lecturers, students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and associations and research institutes.  

In his opening speech, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Truong Giang - Head of the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies emphasized that the two books are the result of a meticulous, serious and highly practical research process in the context of social networks penetrating into every aspect of community life, making an important contribution to anthropological research and the field of social sciences and humanities.
The works focus on analyzing the role of social networks in community and ethnic life in Vietnam, while providing a multi-dimensional view of the impact of technology on culture and social communication.

When Social Media Becomes the Object of Anthropological Research
After a 3-year journey of “gestation”, the book “Social networks and ethnic groups in Vietnam from an Anthropological perspective” was published with a lot of enthusiasm from the editor-in-chief, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Suu (Former Head of the Department of Anthropology, now a lecturer at the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU) and the group of authors. The book consists of 09 chapters, focusing on exploiting the ways ethnic groups in Vietnam approach, use social networks and express cultural identity in the digital environment. From the case of the Mong, Thai, to the group of young urban residents, social networks are 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 direction of research on social media and ethnic groups, ethnic groups and social media from the perspective of Anthropology in the national and international context; suggested new ethnographic approaches and encouraged approaches to social media and ethnic groups in Vietnam in a way that combines exploration of both offline and online spaces to get closer to a comprehensive understanding of the research object. The studies also show the profound influence of social media on ethnic groups in Vietnam, and at the same time provide some valuable policy suggestions.

Meanwhile, “Gốc đa, quán lá và Facebook” by Associate Professor, Dr. Vuong Xuan Tinh consists of 4 parts with an academic autobiographical style, reflecting the transition from traditional communication space to technological communication. The book has brought readers key findings such as the use of Facebook is a common phenomenon among ethnic minority youth. This is also a tool that contributes to maintaining and recreating ethnic cultural identity. The author emphasizes that identity or a form of ethnic stereotype also affects interactions on Facebook.
Read the book here

Also participating in the discussion were Dr. Tran Huu Son (Director of the Institute for Applied Cultural Studies, 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"; 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 the two research works has contributed to promoting interdisciplinary academic exchanges between Anthropology, Ethnology and the fields of sociology and cultural studies in the context of strong digital transformation. With rich content and modern approaches, the two books "Social networks and ethnic groups in Vietnam from an Anthropological perspective" and "Goc da, quan coc 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 demonstrated the efforts of the Faculty of Anthropology and Religious Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU 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 next step in the journey to affirm the role of Vietnamese Anthropology in explaining, reflecting and accompanying the rapid social changes taking place 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 souvenir photos with the authors