Urban is one of the topics that has received much attention recently due to the increasing wave of urbanization in Vietnam and developing countries. In urban issues, urban history is also an important issue because it reflects the changes of urban areas throughout history, from ancient, medieval to modern and modern times. In each historical period, urban areas show different characteristics, for example, Thang Long - the ancient capital of Dai Viet in the past, and Hanoi today as the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. If Thang Long in the past stood out with its ancient features expressed in architecture, economy, society, and culture, Hanoi today is a bustling, bustling and modern city under the influence of urbanization.
Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Van Quan (Faculty of History) and Dr. Dang Hong Son (Faculty of History) chaired subcommittee 1 of the conference (Photo: Thanh Ha)
In the above context, research and study of urban history are essential to compare and contrast past and present urban areas and draw necessary experiences and solutions for the current urbanization process in Vietnam. To meet this need, the international conference “Interdisciplinary approach in researching the history of Vietnamese urban areas” was organized to discuss all the outstanding issues in the history of Vietnamese and world urban areas, from geographical space to urban architecture, urbanization and the exchange relationship between cities. The conference used many different research methods and approaches to study urban history, highlighting the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature in social sciences and humanities today. The specific content of the conference is the history of Vietnamese and world urban areas divided into the following timelines:
- The "Ancient - Medieval" period with main presentations such as: "On the hybrid nature of Vietnamese cities: The case of Thang Long - Hanoi" by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thua Hy (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), "The eras surrounding some ancient cities in Vietnam" by MSc. Vo Thi Phuong Thuy (Institute of History, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), "Approaching historical methods in studying Vietnamese cities" by Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Kim Dinh (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities); The design ideas of Thang Long capital in the Ly dynasty and the main palace of the pre-Japanese Naniwa - Seen from the ideology of "Three Dynasties and Five Gates" by Chu Le and Le Ky by MSc. Pham Le Huy (Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
- “Modern period” with main presentations such as: “Natural disasters and empire: Natural disasters and socio-economic ups and downs of the urban areas of Dang Ngoai in the 17th century” by Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), “Forest borders, resource exploitation and nature protection in the Napoleonic empire” by Dr. Agnes Johanna Franziska (Lugwid – Maximilians – Universitat Munchen), From political capital to commercial center: Thang Long in the river system of Dang Ngoai in the 17th-18th centuries by Dr. Do Thi Thuy Lan (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), The Indo-Dutch community in the transition period: Fort Cochin during the Napoleonic wars (1784-1830) by Associate Professor, Dr. Anjana Singh (University of Groningen – Netherlands), “Feminine space: Expanding services for women in the context of urban Hanoi during the French colonial period” by Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Hoa (Institute of European Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences).
- “Modern period” with main presentations such as: “International law on the protection of living environment and natural environment: Impact of the US war in Vietnam” by Prof. Detlef Briesen (Giesen University), “Heritage cities and some foundations for creating unique characteristics - Case study: Hanoi - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City” by Dr. Architect Ngo Minh Hung (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology), “Discussing urbanization in the Northern Delta and its impact on rural areas” by Associate Professor Dr. Vu Quang Hien (Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), “Not leaving the forest - not leaving the land” Resettled residents and the impacts on forests in Khamam district (India) by Dr. David Pickus (Renmin University of China).
In March 2015, an international conference with a similar theme, “Socio-cultural changes in urban areas in the process of globalization and modernization,” also took place at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
