At the reception for American scholars on the morning of January 8, 2024, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thanh Truong - Vice Rector of the University, stated that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is a core unit of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and a leading training institution in Vietnam in the field of social sciences and humanities. The visit of American scholars and the presentation of the book "Striving for Peace: Anti-War American Soldiers and Veterans" will help generations of students access a new perspective on the anti-Vietnam War activities of American veterans.
Mr. Ron Carver, an American peace activist, member of the Washington Institute for Policy Studies, and a member of the Advisory Board of the "Friends of the RENEW Project" organization, and head of the academic delegation, shared his honor that American scholars had the opportunity to visit and launch their book with faculty and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. This is one of the activities in a series of talks by the academic delegation at major universities in Vietnam.
Accordingly, during this visit to Vietnam, the delegation of American scholars and veterans held talks and book launches at 10 universities in Vietnam, including the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Can Tho University; the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; Duy Tan University (Da Nang); Foreign Trade University; Thai Nguyen University, etc.
The delegation of American scholars included many scientists and American veterans of the Vietnam War who had conducted research on Vietnamese culture and history, including the book "Striving for Peace: Anti-War Soldiers and Veterans of the United States".
Mr. Ron Carver presented the book to the leaders of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Speaking with nearly 100 students and lecturers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, scholars and American veterans shared the unanswered stories of thousands of American soldiers who protested the US war in Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. Even while the war was raging, many anti-war organizations were established within the United States, hundreds of anti-war propaganda newspapers were printed, over 800 veterans renounced their government medals, and many soldiers deserted to protest the war…
The haunting memories of the brutality of war and the immense loss and sacrifice of the Vietnamese people, along with the psychological scars of the post-war period, motivated American veterans in their efforts to overcome the consequences of the war.
Ron Carver, an American peace activist and member of the Washington Institute for Policy Studies, shared his insights with the students.
Professor of History Christian G. Appy, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, is currently the Director of the UMASS Ellsberg Archive Project.
Professor Linda J. Yarr (seated in the middle) is the Director of the Programme for Strategic International Partnerships in Asia (PISA) at Elliot School of International Studies, George Washington University (GWU). She is also a research fellow at the Center for Asian Studies, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Barbara Doherty is the co-editor of the book “Fighting for Peace: American Soldiers and Veterans Against the War.” She is an independent professional writer and editor with four decades of experience advising labor unions and affiliates across the United States, including the Carpenters' Union, Service Workers' Union, Teachers' Union, and the AFL-CIO.
Paul Cox, a Vietnam War veteran, co-founder of Veterans for Peace Chapter 69 in San Francisco, a member of the executive board of Chapter 160 (Vietnam Peace Chapter), and an officer of Veterans for Peace nationwide.
Curt Stocker, a journalist, founded an anti-war newspaper. While still serving in the military, Stocker was chosen to speak to over 500,000 anti-war protesters in Washington, D.C.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thien Thanh - Head of the Department of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi American scholars and veterans were deeply moved by the students' sharing of their profound gratitude and immense pride in the sacrifices of generations of Vietnamese heroes who made the nation's historic victory in the resistance war against the US. These sacrifices and losses are still evident in many places and families, including the families of the school's staff, lecturers, and students.
The talk attracted the attention of many students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
The delegation of American scholars took a commemorative photo with faculty and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
