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

Attend the workshop:

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

- On the side of VNU, there were Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son (Party Committee Secretary, Director of VNU), Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Science and Training Council, VNU), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc (Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science, VNU); on the side of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Committee Secretary, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities),

The conference received 41 presentations from scientists from training and research institutions such as the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences, Hanoi Pedagogical University 1 and 2, Hong Duc University, the Vietnam Military History Institute, and Quang Ninh Museum. In particular, 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 ancient and medieval history of Vietnam, the victory of the three resistance wars against the Mongols in general, and the Bach Dang victory in 1288 in particular, of the Dai Viet nation of the Tran Dynasty, had extremely important significance. It affirmed the maturity of Dai Viet, demonstrated the sense of independence, self-reliance and solidarity of the Vietnamese people against foreign invaders. At the same time, these events had great connections and impacts on the historical process of the region and the world. After the war, with domestic policies of reconciliation and clever diplomatic measures, the Tran Dynasty maintained and consolidated the peace of Dai Viet, creating a period of prosperity.

2018 is the year to celebrate the 730th anniversary of the Bach Dang victory against the Mongol-Nguyen army (1288-2018) and the 710th anniversary of the death of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1308-2018). In that context, the International Scientific Conference "Bach Dang and the Tran Dynasty in the 13th Century World Context" was held. This is an opportunity to recognize and evaluate the significance and key position of the Bach Dang victory and the Mongol-Nguyen resistance in the history of the Vietnamese nation as well as the history of the region and the world. The conference also helps to clarify the contributions of the Tran Dynasty in the resistance war; the open and progressive policies in the post-war period, especially the national reconciliation ideology of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong.

On behalf of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, Dr. Vu Thi Thu Thuy expressed her honor that Quang Ninh province was chosen as the venue for an international conference on a dynasty that had a great influence in the history of building and defending the country of Vietnam. The conference adds to the treasure trove of research on the Bach Dang victory and the Tran dynasty, contributing to the transmission of cultural and historical values ​​to future generations, increasing the tourism appeal of this sacred land. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Thuy hopes that research institutions and universities will continue to invest in scientific and intellectual products to advise on socio-cultural development policies, in parallel with the economic development of Quang Ninh province.

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

On behalf of VNU, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son emphasized the great scientific and political significance of the Conference. The Conference is an opportunity to review and analyze the results and achievements of research on the third Bach Dang victory from interdisciplinary and specialized perspectives. On a broader scale, the Conference compares the response and resistance against the Mongols in the 13th century of Dai Viet under the Tran Dynasty with Asian countries such as Korea and Japan. In addition, delegates will build scientific arguments for recommendations and solutions to promote the cultural values ​​of the Tran Dynasty and Quang Ninh in particular, as well as the Northeast region in general.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Kim Son delivered the opening speech of the workshop.

At the plenary session, the conference listened to two presentations:

The paper "Bach Dang Tradition" by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc (Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences) reviewed the historical developments of the three Bach Dang victories in 938, 981 and the peak in 1288. Thereby, the paper affirmed the existence of a Bach Dang tradition - the crystallization of good qualities of the Vietnamese people such as patriotism, the will to destroy invaders, the combination and skillful use of local forces in people's war, and the rise up in the face of dangerous challenges.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc presented his paper

The paper "Multi-layered vision of Tran Dynasty history: A new approach of global historical method" by Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro (Osaka University, Japan) briefly introduced the approach to global history. The paper used this perspective to illuminate a number of issues about Dai Viet during the Tran Dynasty such as the globalization process in the 13th century, the position of moderate states, the role of the warrior class, the formation of small-scale peasant society, etc.

Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro presents a paper

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

Panel 1: "The Mongol-Yuan Empire and the Dai Viet nation in the global context of the 13th century" with presentations such as "The response of the Koryo dynasty to the threat of invasion by the Mongol-Yuan army" by Dr. Lee Kang Hahn (Institute of Korean Studies), "The Tran dynasty in its relationship with the Southern Song and Mongol-Yuan dynasties under the pressure of attacks from the North in the 13th century" by Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien (Faculty of History, Hanoi National University of Education), "Asian maritime trade under the impact of war and Mongol rule (Pax Mongolica)" by Associate Professor, Dr. Yokkaichi Yasuhiro (Faculty of Arts, Rikkyo University, Japan), "The resistance war against the Mongols of the Dai Viet army and people in the 13th century in some Russian historical works" by Associate Professor, 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 Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) - HVCH. Doan Tung Anh (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU).

Delegates at the conference took a souvenir photo

Panel 2 "Battle of Bach Dang: New documents, new perceptions" with presentations such as "The Tran Dynasty and the three victories over the Mongol-Yuan in the 13th century: Historical climatology perspective" by Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU), "On the Bach Dang War and Mongol-Yuan prisoners" by Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Baohai (Beijing University, China), "The imprint of the Tran Dynasty and the second resistance war against the invaders (1285) on Thanh Hoa land" by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy (Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa), "The Mongol invasion of Vietnam through some archaeological documents of the Tran Dynasty" by Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Son (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU), "Education - Examination system of 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, VNU), "The role of stake fields in Bach Dang battlefield - New perceptions from recent archaeological results" by Dr. Le Thi Lien (Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) - Prof. Dr. Mark Starnifoth (Flinders University, Australia) - Dr. Jun Kimura (Tokai University, Japan).

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang summarized some important points that the conference had drawn. Firstly, it is necessary to evaluate the Bach Dang victory from many political, cultural and social perspectives instead of focusing only on the military aspect. For example, to deploy the people's war strategy, the Tran Dynasty had to maintain closeness and closeness to the people to attract the participation of local forces. Secondly, it is necessary to put this event in the general context of the region and the world, and at the same time compare the Tran Dynasty with other dynasties in Vietnam and the world. With a global perspective, scientists can draw more comprehensive, objective and rich conclusions. Thirdly, it is necessary to transform the scientific results of the conference into tangible products and resources to contribute to the economic-cultural-social development of Quang Ninh province. For example, recreating the Bach Dang battle in a more visual way will add more appeal to the historical and cultural values ​​of the battle. With that meaning, Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang highly appreciated the working spirit of the organizing committee, scientists, and researchers and declared the conference a great success.

Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang delivered the concluding remarks at the conference.