International Conference “Vietnam - 40 Years of Unification, Development and Integration”

The two-day conference (April 25-26) in Binh Duong attracted over 300 research papers and articles from nearly 100 scientists both domestically and internationally, including 18 papers from 18 authors from 10 countries and territories: the United States, Brazil, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, France, China, Malaysia, and Australia. Among them were renowned international scholars who have dedicated a significant portion of their scientific careers to Vietnam, such as Professor Carl Thayer from the Australian Defence Academy, Professor Hugues Tertrais from the University of Paris I, Dr. Pierre Journoud from the Institute of Military History (French Ministry of Defence), Professor Marc Gilbert from the World Historical Society, Professor Pierre Asselin from Hawaii Pacific University (USA), Professor Yoshiharu Tsuboi from Waseda University (Japan), and others.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), affirmed that 40 years have passed since the end of the "Vietnamese People's Resistance War against the US," which the world calls the "Vietnam War," but its echoes still resonate today. Regardless of the name, it remains one of the most heroic and glorious chapters in the history of Vietnam's resistance against foreign invaders, and one of the most influential events in the 20th century. The victory of this great war of national defense was the result of the strategic and creative leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the strength of unity among peace-loving nations worldwide, but first and foremost, it was the victory of the unwavering determination of millions of Vietnamese people who bravely fought and sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of their homeland. With that victory, the Vietnamese people achieved the goal of national reunification, entering a new era: an era of peace, independence, and the entire nation advancing towards socialism.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh delivered a speech at the conference.

The seminar revolved around three major issues: the issues of national reunification (1954-1975); the issues of construction and development over the past 40 years (1975-2015); and the issues of Vietnam's international integration over the past 40 years (1975-2015).

In the first topic, the reports and discussions contributed to clarifying the questions posed by the conference organizers, namely: The inevitability of the Vietnamese people's victory in the resistance war against the US and the inevitability of the defeat of the neo-colonial war of aggression in the years 1954-1975; the victory on April 30, 1975, was the result of the entire nation's 20-year protracted resistance; peace and national reunification opened a new era in the nation's history.

In the second topic, the workshop focused on clarifying the following issues: whether the economic and social development over the past 40 years (1975-2015) has properly exploited the potential and strengths of the unified nation and is in line with the laws of development; the challenges in reforming the political system and the issue of stable and sustainable development in the reform process; and the issue of developing the country's culture and education while the development gap remains large, the requirement to preserve national cultural identity faces many challenges, and national education and science policies present many difficult problems.

In the third major thematic area, the workshop discussed three issues: Firstly, whether Vietnam's international integration reflects a comprehensive or focused approach to Vietnam's contributions to the world and the region; secondly, whether Vietnam's contributions need to be recognized and evaluated appropriately, objectively, and not solely within the context of globalization; and thirdly, practical lessons for Vietnam, as well as many developing and integrating countries facing intertwined opportunities and challenges.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh delivered a speech at the conference.

Most scholars believe that, in order to develop its socio-economic sector to keep pace with advanced countries, Vietnam needs to accelerate administrative reforms, especially public administration, strengthen international cooperation; promote human resource training, and develop key economic sectors in line with international integration trends... At the conference, many valuable documents on the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, on the Southwest border war, and on the situation in the East Sea were also presented.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, Associate Professor Hoang Van Hien, Rector of Hue University of Science, shared: “The international conference “Vietnam - 40 Years of Unification, Development and Integration” has concluded, but the conference's impact will not be limited to the dynamic and hospitable province of Binh Duong, because this is the result of a very meticulous, systematic, and scientific preparation process by the Organizing Committee, the Chair, and each participating member.”

Professor Carlyle Thayer (Australian Defence Academy) speaking at the conference.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Hiep, Rector of Thu Dau Mot University, also expressed that after this conference, scientists will have many opportunities to interact and exchange information and documents on the conference's theme, so that Vietnamese studies scholars and academics from both inside and outside the country can continue to make new discoveries and go further on the path to approaching historical truth. Professor Dr. Vu Minh Giang, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, also emphasized: "The broad international nature has increased the quality and scientific value of the conference. The conference is an intellectual highlight of the series of activities leading up to the 40th anniversary of the completion of the reunification of the country."

The conference is not only an activity to join in the commemoration of Vietnam's historical events, but also a forum for historical and interdisciplinary scientific research with many opinions and scientific contributions to further enhance scientific understanding of the past 40 years of Vietnamese history, with great achievements in national reunification, reform for development, and Vietnam's increasingly comprehensive integration into the international community.