International scientific conference "Bach Dang and the Tran Dynasty in the context of the 13th-century world"

Attend the workshop:

- Representing Quang Ninh province were Dr. Vu Thi Thu Thuy (Vice Chairperson of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee), Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh (Director of the Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Culture and Sports), and Mr. Tran Van Vinh (Permanent Vice Chairperson of the Quang Yen Town People's Committee).

- Representing Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son (Party Secretary, Director of VNU), Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Scientific and Training Council, VNU), and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc (Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science, VNU); representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Secretary, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

The conference received 41 papers from scientists from training and research institutions such as the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Vietnam Institute of Studies and Development Science, Hanoi Pedagogical University 1 and 2, Hong Duc University, the Vietnam Military History Institute, and the Quang Ninh Museum. Notably, there were also international scholars from Osaka University, Showa Women's University, Peking University, the Institute of Chinese Studies, the Institute of Korean Studies, and Rikkyo University.

In the history of ancient and medieval Vietnam, the victories of the three resistance wars against the Mongol-Yuan invaders in general, and the Battle of Bach Dang in 1288 in particular, by the Tran Dynasty of Dai Viet were of paramount importance. They affirmed the maturity of Dai Viet, demonstrating the independence, self-reliance, and unity of the Vietnamese people in the face of external invaders. At the same time, these events had a significant impact on the course of regional and global history. After the war, through conciliatory domestic policies and skillful diplomatic measures, the Tran Dynasty maintained and consolidated peace in Dai Viet, creating a period of prosperity.

2018 marked the 730th anniversary of the Battle of Bạch Đằng against the Mongol-Yuan invaders (1288-2018) and the 710th anniversary of the death of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông (1308-2018). In this context, the international scientific conference "Bạch Đằng and the Trần Dynasty in the 13th-Century World Context" was organized. This was an opportunity to examine and assess the significance and pivotal role of the Bạch Đằng victory and the resistance against the Mongol-Yuan invaders in the history of the Vietnamese nation as well as regional and world history. The conference also helped clarify the contributions of the Trần dynasty to the resistance; the progressive and open-minded policies in the post-war period, especially the national reconciliation ideology of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông.

On behalf of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, Dr. Vu Thi Thu Thuy expressed her honor that Quang Ninh province was chosen to host an international conference on a dynasty with a significant influence in Vietnam's history of nation-building and defense. The conference adds to the body of research on the Battle of Bach Dang and the Tran Dynasty, contributing to the preservation of cultural and historical values ​​for future generations and enhancing the tourism appeal of this sacred land. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Thuy hoped that research institutions and universities would continue to invest in scientific products and knowledge to advise on socio-cultural development policies, alongside the economic development of Quang Ninh province.

Dr. Vu Thi Thu Thuy delivered the opening remarks at the workshop.

On behalf of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son emphasized the great scientific and political significance of the conference. The conference provided an opportunity to examine and analyze research findings on the third Battle of Bach Dang from interdisciplinary and specialized perspectives. More broadly, the conference compared the response and resistance against the Mongol-Yuan invasion in the 13th century by the Tran Dynasty of Dai Viet with that of other Asian nations such as Korea and Japan. Furthermore, delegates will develop scientific arguments for proposals and solutions aimed at promoting the cultural values ​​of the Tran Dynasty and Quang Ninh in particular, as well as the Northeast region in general.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son delivered the opening remarks at the workshop.

At the plenary session, the conference heard two presentations:

The paper "The Bach Dang Tradition" by Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc (Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science) reviewed the historical events of the three Bach Dang victories in 938, 981, and 1288. Through this, the paper affirmed the existence of a Bach Dang tradition – a crystallization of the fine qualities of the Vietnamese people such as patriotism, the will to defeat invading forces, the skillful combination and application of local forces in people's warfare, and the resilience in the face of perilous challenges.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc presented his paper.

The paper "Multilayered Perspectives on the History of the Tran Dynasty: A New Approach to Global Historiography" by Professor Momoki Shiro (Osaka University, Japan) provides a brief overview of the global historical approach. The paper uses this perspective to examine several issues concerning Dai Viet during the Tran Dynasty, such as the process of globalization in the 13th century, the position of moderate states, the role of the warrior class, and the formation of a peasant society.

Professor Momoki Shiro presented his paper.

Following the plenary session, the workshop continued with two subcommittees:

Subcommittee 1: "The Mongol-Yuan Empire and the Dai Viet nation in the global context of the 13th century" with presentations such as "The Koryo dynasty's response to the threat of Mongol-Yuan invasion" by Dr. Lee Kang Hahn (Korea Institute), "The Tran dynasty in relation to the Southern Song and Mongol-Yuan under pressure from attacks from the North in the 13th century" by Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien (Faculty of History, Hanoi Pedagogical University), "Asian Maritime Trade under the Impact of War and the Mongol Rule (Pax Mongolica)" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yokkaichi Yasuhiro (Faculty of Arts, Rikkyo University, Japan), "The Resistance Against the Mongol-Yuan War by the People and Army of Dai Viet in the 13th Century in Some Russian Historical Works" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thai Ha (Faculty of Social Sciences Education, Saigon University), "The Mongol Conquest of West Asia: The Case of Baddha in 1258" by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) - Graduate Student Doan Tung Anh (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

Delegates at the workshop pose for a commemorative photo.

Subcommittee 2 "The Battle of Bach Dang: New Documents, New Perspectives" included presentations such as "The Tran Dynasty and the Three Victories Against the Mongol-Yuan in the 13th Century: A Historical Climatology Perspective" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), "On the Battle of Bach Dang and the Mongol-Yuan Prisoners" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Baohai (Peking University, China), "The Mark of the Tran Dynasty and the Second Resistance War Against the Invasion (1285) in Thanh Hoa" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy (Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa), "The Mongol-Yuan Invasion of Vietnam through Some Archaeological Documents from the Tran Dynasty" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hong Son (Faculty of History, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), and "Education - Examinations during the Tran Dynasty and the Formation of the Confucian Intellectual Class" by Dr. Do Huong Thao (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), "The Role of Stake Fields in the Battle of Bach Dang - New Perspectives from Recent Archaeological Findings" by Dr. Le Thi Lien (Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) - Prof. Dr. Mark Starnifoth (Flinder University, Australia) - Dr. Jun Kimura (Tokai University, Japan).

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Professor Vu Minh Giang summarized several key takeaways. Firstly, the Battle of Bach Dang should be evaluated from multiple political, cultural, and social perspectives, rather than focusing solely on the military aspect. For example, to implement a people's war strategy, the Tran dynasty had to maintain close ties with the people to attract the participation of local forces. Secondly, this event should be placed within the broader regional and international context, and the Tran dynasty should be compared with other dynasties in Vietnam and the world. From a global perspective, scientists can draw more comprehensive, objective, and richer conclusions. Thirdly, the scientific results of the conference should be transformed into tangible products and resources to contribute to the socio-economic and cultural development of Quang Ninh province. For instance, a more visually engaging reenactment of the Battle of Bach Dang would enhance the appeal of the battle's historical and cultural values. With those meanings in mind, Professor Vu Minh Giang highly appreciated the working spirit of the organizing committee, scientists, and researchers, and declared the conference a resounding success.

Professor Vu Minh Giang delivered the concluding remarks at the conference.