Professor Nguyen Van Kim - the one who explores and opens new research directions

From Japanese Studies to Japanese Studies

As a student of the 26th course of the Faculty of History, Hanoi University of Science, after graduating from university, he was retained at the university to do teaching and research work and has been associated with Hanoi National University and then the University of Social Sciences and Humanities from 1986 to present.

The country was in renovation, international relations were becoming more open, considering himself a member of the "lucky" generation, from 1990-1999, the young lecturer actively taught at the Faculty of History and worked as a scientific assistant for Professor and People's Teacher Phan Huy Le at the Center for Vietnamese Studies and Cultural Exchange (the predecessor of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences, VNU-Hanoi today). It was in the academic environment of the Faculty of History and the Center that lecturer Nguyen Van Kim had the opportunity to learn from many famous teachers and scientists such as Dinh Xuan Lam, Phan Huy Le, Tran Quoc Vuong, Ha Van Tan, Vu Duong Ninh, Phan Dai Doan, Nguyen Thua Hy, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Vu Minh Giang, Nguyen Quang Ngoc,... and at the same time met and received knowledge from international scientists, especially Japanese historians and archaeologists such as professors: Sakurai Yumio, Furuta Motoo, Kikuchi Seiichi, Momoki Shiro... The knowledge accumulated during the years of studying in the country and the time studying and researching in Japan (Kanazawa University, 1992-1993; Tokyo National University, 1995-1996 and 2000-2001) along with the serious attitude, passion for science, high responsibility of Japanese scholars as well as historical thinking, research methods. Japanese scientific research... has inspired the young researcher to delve deeper into Japanese history, especially the modern period.

Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Kim/Photo: Bui Tuan

With the guidance and assistance of many Vietnamese and Japanese scientists, lecturer Nguyen Van Kim focused on researching Japanese History in the Edo period (1600-1868), focusing on the policy of national isolation (sakoku) that the Tokugawa shogunate pursued. Doctoral thesisJapan's closed-door policy during the Tokugawa period - Causes and consequenceswas successfully defended at Hanoi National University in 1999 under the guidance of Professor Vu Duong Ninh and professional advisor of Professor Sakurai Yumio. The thesis has contributed to clarifying a question in the research community as to why and in what context, while pursuing a policy of national isolation, Japan still had many fundamental and outstanding developments. Thanks to that, in the 18th and 19th centuries, Japan escaped the common "historical destiny" of Asian peoples to be conquered and enslaved by Western powers. Moreover, Edo is also considered the period of the highest development of the Japanese feudal regime. This is the pivotal period, preparing the essential conditions and premises for the establishment of the first modern state in Asia.

Those new and bold perceptions and interpretations in the research work were highly appreciated by the Doctoral Thesis Evaluation Council and the Scientific Council for Award Consideration of the Vietnam Historical Science Association. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim was honored to receive the award from the Vietnam Historical Science Association and the Pham Than Duat Historical Award Fund.Second(no First Prize, 2000) for an excellent thesis. Along with that, the monograph developed from the thesis published by The Gioi Publishing House in 2000 was commented by famous historians such as Professor Phan Huy Le and Professor Sakurai Yumio as the first work written about the Japanese feudal regime, contributing to building the foundation for the very new field of Japanese studies in Vietnam at that time.

Trong những năm sau đó và đến hiện nay, GS.TS Nguyễn Văn Kim vẫn tiếp tục nghiên cứu về Nhật Bản nhưng phạm vi nghiên cứu đã mở rộng hơn khi đặt Nhật Bản trong các mối bang giao và giao thương quốc tế thế kỷ XVI-XVIII. Với các học trò và đồng nghiệp, thầy từng nhiều lần chia sẻ: nghiên cứu lịch sử Nhật Bản mà tập trung là vấn đề sakokuand the international relations of the Edo government have created a basic knowledge foundation to continue to expand and implement future research directions. In fact, the treatises that he wrote about Japan later showed a deep vision and knowledge of the research subject. Thereby, the author also soon understood and boldly made summaries and assessments of the path and development model with many characteristics of Japan in comparison with the common and specific historical and cultural characteristics of Asian and European countries.

Thành lập nhóm “Nghiên cứu Thương mại châu Á”

Trong những năm cuối thập niên 90 của thế kỷ trước, được giao trách nhiệm phụ trách Bộ môn Lịch sử thế giới, thầy đã nhận thấy cần phải có những thay đổi căn bản trong định hướng nghiên cứu, đào tạo để thích ứng, hội nhập với xu thế chung của môi trường học thuật của khu vực, thế giới. Với một đất nước còn nhiều khó khăn như Việt Nam, với nguồn nhân lực, vật lực còn vô cùng hạn chế, là Phó Chủ nhiệm rồi Chủ nhiệm Bộ môn, TS Nguyễn Văn Kim đã mạnh dạn đề xuất một số định hướng, lĩnh vực nghiên cứu mới và nhanh chóng xây dựng kế hoạch nghiên cứu, đào tạo trọng tâm ở cả ba bậc học: cử nhân, thạc sĩ và tiến sĩ. Quan điểm chủ đạo được nêu ra và xác định là: “Nghiên cứu Lịch sử thế giới phải xuất phát từ vị thế của Việt Nam, đặt trong mối quan hệ và vì lợi ích của Việt Nam”.

GS.TS Nguyễn Văn Kim là Bí thư Đảng uỷ, Phó Hiệu trưởng Trường Đại học Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn Hà Nội/Ảnh: Bùi Tuấn

Với tri thức và sự mẫn cảm nghề nghiệp, thầy Nguyễn Văn Kim luôn suy nghĩ, tìm tòi và không ngừng khuyến khích sinh viên, HVCH, NCS lựa chọn, đi sâu tìm hiểu những vấn đề vẫn còn là những điểm mờ, khoảng trống về nhận thức của giới nghiên cứu trong nước, quốc tế và được quốc tế quan tâm. Nhận thức rõ những thành tựu nổi bật mà các nhà nghiên cứu đã đạt được trong nghiên cứu về lịch sử kháng chiến chống ngoại xâm và các lĩnh vực nông thôn - nông nghiệp - nông dân, thầy đã chủ trương xây dựng một nhóm nghiên cứu gồm các giảng viên, cán bộ trẻ, sinh viên và quyết tâm theo đuổi định hướng nghiên cứu mới về Biển Đông đặc biệt là vấn đề quan hệ thương mại, bang giao trên biển giữa Việt Nam với các quốc gia châu Á. Quyết định đó cho thấy tầm nhìn và sự nhạy cảm sâu sắc của một nhà giáo, một nhà nghiên cứu chuyên nghiệp.

Năm 1999, trên cơ sở một số thành viên của Bộ môn Lịch sử thế giới, Khoa Lịch sử, Nhóm Nghiên cứu thương mại châu Á(Group of Asian Commerce Studies) do TS. Nguyễn Văn Kim chủ trương đã được thành lập. Sau 15 năm phát triển, năm 2014, nhóm nghiên cứu là một trong 14 “Nhóm nghiên cứu mạnh” đầu tiên vinh dự được nhận Bằng khen của Giám đốc Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội. Năm 2015, Nhóm tiếp tục được công nhận là một trong 21 “Nhóm nghiên cứu mạnh” của ĐHQGHN.

Nhóm thường xuyên nhận được sự tư vấn, giúp đỡ tận tình, hỗ trợ hiệu quả của Trường ĐHKHXH&NV, nhiều nhà khoa học có uy tín ở các trường đại học, trung tâm học thuật lớn trong nước, quốc tế. Định hướng nghiên cứu đó ngày càng khẳng định tính đúng đắn khi góp phần làm sáng tỏ những đặc tính tiêu biểu về lịch sử, văn hóa và vị thế của Việt Nam với tư cách là một quốc gia ven biển. Việt Nam sớm có truyền thống văn hóa biển, tư duy hướng biển, có năng lực khai thác biển và các cộng đồng cư dân cổ cũng sớm vươn ra chinh phục, làm chủ các vùng biển, đảo ven bờ và cả những quần đảo đại dương như Hoàng Sa, Trường Sa...

Up to now, looking back at more than 15 years of construction and development, a journey that is not too long for implementing a research orientation, but the teacher and members are always proud to have overcome many obstacles and difficulties.Nhóm Nghiên cứu thương mại châu Áhas built a multi-generational research team. The affection between teachers and students, colleagues, and the sincerity, trust, and affection like in a family, sharing challenges and difficulties in research as well as in life have become the common, sacred values ​​of the Group.

With 30 years of experience, he always believes that selecting, building and developing research resources, especially key members who are passionate about the profession, is a vital factor for the survival of the Group. Up to now, many members of the group have known and understood his determination to build a research orientation, but still cannot fully imagine why in the 1990s, when all resources for research and development activities were too scarce and awareness of the sea and the role of the marine economy were still limited, he still made such a decision. As a result, he has pioneered in building a strong Research Group with many mature members. Brothers and sisters of the first and second generations have been working at universities, research institutes, management agencies and have made certain contributions to the cause of research, training and dissemination of knowledge at the central and local levels.

As students, we always feel secure and proud because during the first months of our new school years, Mr. Nguyen Van Kim was always close to us, encouraging and motivating us to excel in life and work. We believe in him, in his enthusiasm, his perspective on scientific issues and his determination to pursue the research directions that he taught us. With the support of him and his colleagues in the group, each member of the Department and the group also has more determination to complete research tasks, to jointly explore the lands, trading ports, sources of goods as well as the diverse and multi-dimensional relationships that have taken place in the history of Vietnam.

Regarding research, the works that he has participated in organizing, compiling or editing include:Japan and Asia - historical connections and socio-economic changes,Vietnam in the Asian trade system in the 16th-17th centuries, Japan's relations with Southeast Asia in the 15th-17th centuries, Vietnamese people with the sea,Van Don - Vietnam's international commercial port, Vietnam in the East Asian World - An Interdisciplinary and Area Studies Approach,Vietnam - Economic traditions, maritime culture...has received much attention from researchers, managers and society. Through these works, the maritime economic tradition, maritime trade history, maritime thinking and extensive diplomatic relations of the Vietnamese people have been affirmed. For the Group Leader, The maturity of each member of the group and their contributions and professional discoveries (even small ones) in research are always a joy and pride.,the most important and meaningful achievement.

Over 3 decades of research and teaching, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim has guided dozens of students to complete their graduation theses, 32 undergraduate students and 4 PhD students to successfully defend their theses/dissertation. To date, he has published over 150 research articles and books both domestically and internationally, such as:Japan - Vietnam historical exchange in modern times: Japanese street and ceramic exchange(Japanese, 2002), Lion and Dragon: Four Centuries of Dutch - Vietnamese Relations(Dutch, English, 2007),The Formation of the “Oceanic Network” in East Asia before the Opening of Ports and Subsequent Developments: Focusing on Hoi An(English, 2010),Asian Comparative Folklore(Korean, English, 2011),Research on the history of cultural exchange between Korea and Asia in modern times(Korean, 2013),Tradition and Trade Activities of the Vietnamese(English, 2013),Early modern Southeast Asia, 1350-1800(English, 2015),Van Don - An International Sea Port of Dai Viet(English, 2015)… Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim has also chaired and participated in many scientific projects at the State, Ministry and equivalent levels. He has received many awards and scientific research prizes from VNU and management agencies.

Passionate and devoted to science, Professor Nguyen Van Kim is also appreciated by many generations of students as a teacher who is devoted to the cause of educating people. He always has the most loving feelings for his students. Many students were "discovered" by him when they were in their first or second year, and under his guidance and mentorship, they gradually grew up and became lecturers at universities, researchers at institutes, scientific and management agencies.

Over the years, despite being busy with many tasks in management, he has always taken the time to research, analyze sources of documents, complete articles, projects, and research topics. He always believes that only research can teach well and deeply. And only deep research can "pass on the fire", enthusiasm and scientific thinking to students, HVCH and PhD students. With his persistent working capacity, creative ability and serious working spirit, he still regularly publishes scientific works, still actively participates in guiding students, HVCH and PhD students. For Mr. Nguyen Van Kim, the love for teaching, scientific research, passion for creativity and high sense of responsibility in training and fostering staff are always intact as when he first entered the profession.