The University of Social Sciences and Humanities contributes to promoting the values ​​of Buddhism in Nghe An and expanding cooperation in Buddhist studies research.

Overview of the conference

The national scientific conference “Buddhism in Nghe An: Traditional Values ​​and Development Orientations” was jointly organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; the Tran Nhan Tong Institute, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An Province; the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion of Nghe An Province; and Vinh University. The program attracted the participation of many delegates, including Venerable monks of the Vietnam Buddhist Association; representatives of state management agencies; leaders of universities and research institutes; and a large number of experts, scientists, lecturers, and postgraduate students from across the country.

Attending the seminar were Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu - Standing Member of the Council of Buddhist Elders, Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Nghe An province; Venerable Thich Quang Nhuan - Member of the Council of Buddhist Elders, Advisor to the Central Culture Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association; Venerable Thich Hai An - Standing Member of the Executive Council, Standing Deputy Head of the Central Culture Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, Director of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hue; and other venerable monks of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.

Opening Session Organizing Committee

Representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi were Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of the University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University; and other scientists and lecturers from the University's specialized units.

Also attending the program were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Vinh - former Director of the Tran Nhan Tong Institute, Rector of the University of Law, VNU Hanoi; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Diep - Vice Director in charge of the Tran Nhan Tong Institute; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc - Vice Rector of Vinh University; along with representatives from the leadership of Nghe An province and the coordinating units.

Representatives from various units cut the ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition and officially open the seminar.

The seminar brought together Venerable monks, administrators, experts, and scientists. In his opening remarks, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An Province, stated that the seminar was organized to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An Province (2011-2026) and to welcome the Nghe An Provincial Buddhist Congress for the 2026-2031 term. This was an opportunity to review the process of restoration, restructuring, and development of Buddhism in Nghe An in terms of organization, Dharma propagation, culture, rituals, and social welfare.

Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu delivered the opening remarks at the seminar.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu emphasized that Buddhism has long been an inseparable part of the cultural identity and spiritual life of the people of Nghe An province. With over 80 presentations, the conference contributed to clarifying the historical flow, the heritage system, the value of the Nhan Thap relic, and the role of the Nghe An Buddhist Association in the new era; while also providing scientific arguments to serve the preservation and promotion of heritage and to guide the development of Buddhism in Nghe An in a profound and sustainable manner.

Following the opening session, the workshop was organized into three specialized subcommittees, with the participation, presentation, and discussion moderation by numerous scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and other research and training institutions nationwide.

Presiding Committee of Subcommittee 1

Subcommittee 1, themed “Buddhism in Nghe An: The Historical Flow from Tradition to the Contemporary Era,” was chaired by Professor Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, along with representatives from various units. Comprising 44 papers, the subcommittee focused on clarifying the process of the introduction, formation, and development of Buddhism in Nghe An through different periods; analyzing the characteristics, position, and connection of Buddhism with the socio-cultural life of the locality. The presentations also assessed the 15-year journey of building and operating the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Nghe An province, while highlighting the engaged role of Buddhism in charity work, social welfare, moral education, and sustainable development.

Presiding Committee of Subcommittee 2

Subcommittee 2, themed “Buddhist Heritage of Nghe An: Preservation, Promotion and Development,” comprises 25 papers that systematize and evaluate the Buddhist heritage of Nghe An from three perspectives: tangible heritage, intangible heritage, and documentary heritage. The subcommittee is chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong – Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The papers propose numerous solutions for preserving, restoring, digitizing, and promoting the value of the heritage in conjunction with education, spiritual tourism, cultural industries, and the socio-economic development requirements of the locality.

Subcommittee 3, themed “Preservation, Restoration, and Promotion of the Value of Nhan Thap Relic,” focused on analyzing the historical, cultural, architectural, and archaeological value of Nhan Thap Relic. Scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, participated as chair, secretary, and presenters at the subcommittee, contributing in-depth perspectives on the architectural characteristics, age, construction techniques, and restoration plans for Nhan Thap. Based on the new research and survey results, delegates discussed the need to ensure scientific accuracy and authenticity in the restoration process; and proposed linking the preservation of the relic with the creation of a Buddhist cultural space and sustainable development in Nghe An.

The participation of scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in all three subcommittees has contributed to clarifying the historical, cultural, architectural, artistic, and folk knowledge values ​​of Nghe An's Buddhist heritage; and at the same time affirmed the role of the University in interdisciplinary research activities, policy consulting, and preservation of national cultural heritage.

In her concluding remarks at the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc - Vice Rector of Vinh University - affirmed that, after more than four hours of serious and responsible work, the workshop had completed all the planned contents with 18 presentations and many exchanges of opinions in three specialized subcommittees.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc - Vice Rector of Vinh University, delivered the concluding remarks at the workshop.

The Organizing Committee received over 100 papers and selected 84 high-quality ones for publication in the conference proceedings, totaling 1,141 pages. These works contributed to clarifying the historical process, the value of tangible and intangible heritage, and documentation of Buddhism in Nghe An; the role of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Nghe An province in social life; and provided important scientific foundations for the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the value of the Nhan Thap relic. The conference recommended continuing the inventory, digitization, and preservation of the Buddhist heritage system; promoting research, field surveys, and archaeological excavations; and linking heritage preservation with education, spiritual and cultural tourism, and sustainable development. The Organizing Committee will also continue to review and edit high-quality papers for official publication of the conference proceedings.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the National Scientific Conference "Buddhism in Nghe An: Traditional Values ​​and Development Orientations".

As one of the co-organizing units, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, actively participated in the content development, thematic session management, and academic exchange at the conference. The University's team of experts and scientists contributed many interdisciplinary perspectives from history, archaeology, Sino-Vietnamese studies, religious studies, cultural studies, and heritage studies, thereby helping to clarify the historical and cultural value of Buddhism in Nghe An and proposing directions for preservation, digitization, and promotion of heritage in the current context. This activity also further demonstrates the University's role in connecting scientific research with the practical needs of the locality, serving cultural preservation and sustainable development.

Delegates visit the exhibition.

Scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities participated in the workshop.