Majors in Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History (Faculty of History) and career prospects of students

The Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History (under the Faculty of History) was established in 1998 (initially called Vietnamese Cultural History), chaired by Professor Tran Quoc Vuong - one of the leading scientists in the "four pillars" of the Faculty of History. Along with the process of national renewal, in response to the practical requirements of society in the process of cultural contact and exchange, international integration, in 2004, the Department of Vietnamese Cultural History was changed to the Department of Cultural Studies. In 2009, the Department changed its name to Vietnamese Cultural Studies and History, developing in the direction of promoting research on Cultural Studies as well as research on Vietnamese culture on the basis of promoting the fundamental strengths of historical research.

After nearly two decades of construction and growth, the Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History has grown stronger and stronger. The teachers in the department and the Faculty from the early days of the department's establishment until now have always been the ones who have lit the fire and passed on the passion for Vietnamese history and culture to many generations of students. In the memories of student days, the lectures and talks of Mr. Tran Quoc Vuong, Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke, Ms. Lam My Dung... or the "learning while playing" field trips at Dau Pagoda, Sui Pagoda, the death anniversary in Nguyet Ang, watching the spirit mediumship in Thai Binh, going to stamp the stele in Tay Ho[1]… has kindled in the hearts of many students of the History Department a love and passion for exploring Vietnamese history and culture. During those field trips, students majoring in the field have learned a lot of practical knowledge from dishes, costumes to architectural works of communal houses, pagodas, temples, festivals, and thousand-year-old customs of their ancestors... In the student scientific research movement, the Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History has always been one of the departments with a large number of students participating in making reports, exchanging and discussing richly and enthusiastically. Many students with a passion for national history and culture, with respect, admiration, and the desire to "follow"[2], to study with teachers in the subject they studied in their major. Many former students of the major shared: if I had to choose again, I would still choose to study Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History!

With 15 major courses (about more than 300 students) graduated, the Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History has further demonstrated its advantages in training and scientific research activities. The Department has ensured good progress and quality of teaching of major topics, from issues ofTheory, Research Methods of Cultural Studiesto specific issues such asVillage culture, Urban and Urban culture in Vietnam; Cultural contact and exchange; Religion, beliefs, festivals in Vietnam; Music, Fine arts, Traditional Vietnamese cuisine...The knowledge imparted by teachers is not only a good foundation for students to complete their studies but also a valuable asset for generations of students when they graduate. For students who have studied a major, they all realize that "knowledge of the industry and major is basic, important knowledge, serving work and life throughout life".[3]; Although we know that cultural knowledge is endless, we still need to learn and improve.[4], but the knowledge of the major of Vietnamese Cultural History is always the first and important luggage for learners to confidently and firmly walk on their own path.[5]; or always keep in mind that learning culture to solve everything with culture/ in a cultured way is always the best[6].

Students majoring in Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History always have a good impression not only of the teachers of the Faculty and Department but also of many researchers and leading experts in many fields of cultural studies in Vietnam. Many teachers outside the school have also actively participated in teaching in the major as part-time lecturers. This is not only an opportunity for students to learn in-depth knowledge of the major but also an opportunity for many students to demonstrate themselves in order to find jobs at research institutions. Many students, during their studies, have become collaborators, participating in investigations, surveys, and research topics led by these experts and part-time lecturers, and continue to develop their work after graduation. Students majoring in Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History can become researchers, teachers, lecturers in their respective fields of study (especially when the subject of Vietnamese Cultural Foundations is increasingly valued and taught as a basic subject in colleges and universities); or work at cultural management agencies such as Ministries/Departments/Offices/Committees of Culture at all levels; many alumni have succeeded in "part-time" jobs such as reporters, editors, human resources managers, foreign affairs, marketing, business, etc. thanks to the broad and rich knowledge of the major.

Since 2014, the training of the Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History has been further promoted and expanded when the National University officially approved and opened the major code of Vietnamese Cultural History at the postgraduate level. After graduation, students have the opportunity to study for a Master's degree in the major they have been trained in to meet the requirements of the job in general as well as the requirements of standardization and improvement of the quality of the staff in particular. In the coming time, the Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History will continue to build a staff team, ensure good training activities at the Bachelor and Master levels, and move towards opening a major code at the Doctoral level, ensuring the requirements of continuous training activities from the Bachelor to Master and Doctoral levels to meet the needs of training high-quality human resources working in the cultural field of the country.

Admission information

• Recruitment industry:History

• Students of the Faculty of History from the 3rd year can register to choose to study in the major of Cultural Studies and History of Vietnamese Culture if they meet the requirements of academic ability.