The University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Humboldt University are organizing a course on "Globalization - Localization in Vietnam".

Participants in the course came from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Humboldt University, Université Sains Malaysia, Gadjah Mada University, the University of the Philippines, Georg August Göttingen University, and others.

In his welcoming remarks to the international students of the course, Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) mentioned the context of globalization on an international level and the positive changes in Vietnam in recent decades under the influence of globalization. Accordingly, since the 1970s and especially since the end of the Cold War, the whole world has participated in a "movement towards greater integration, interaction and interdependence among nations and organizations across national borders." In return, greater integration, interaction and interdependence bring challenges and threats such as terrorism, climate change, smuggling, epidemics, etc.

Professor Pham Quang Minh giving a lecture at the course "Globalization - Localization in Vietnam"

From a national perspective, Vietnam officially launched its Doi Moi (Renovation) reform policy in 1986. To date, it has brought positive changes to the country. Politically, democratization has taken place. Economically, Vietnam has shifted from a previously centrally planned economy to a market economy. Culturally, there has been a resurgence of festivals and cultural traditions. Overall, Vietnam has benefited greatly from globalization but also faces concerns. Therefore, changes in Vietnam encompass both global and national aspects.

Introducing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Rector emphasized: “The University always strives to be more open and integrated with other universities around the world.” Today, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is developing towards a research university with 24 undergraduate programs and 70 postgraduate programs. The University's mission is to serve the reform and integration strategy. To achieve this, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has become a forum for academic exchange and discussion at the regional and international levels. The summer course “Globalization-Localization in Vietnam,” organized by the University in collaboration with Humboldt University, is one such meaningful activity, aiming to realize the University's above-mentioned policy.

In his presentation at the program, Professor Vincent Houben (Humboldt University, Germany) spoke about this summer course: This is the first course held in Hanoi, following a series of other summer courses at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. These courses aim to strengthen educational links between Humboldt University and partner universities in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, with the participation of students from Southeast Asian countries, this course also aims to enhance intra-ASEAN exchanges. In addition, this course also attempts to explore research directions related to Southeast Asia.

During the first week, students will attend lectures on the course topic, but in the second week, they will participate in field research outside the campus.

The topics covered in this course include:

• “Globalization and Globalization-Localization: The Vietnamese Context” (presented by Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• “Popularizing the Legendary Cities of India and the Middle East within the Java Geographic Space” (Dr. Sri Margana, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia).
• "Globalization-Localization and Vietnam" (Prof. Vincent Houben, Humboldt University, Germany).
• “An introduction to research methods with a focus on the ‘density’ of ethnographic methods” (Dr. Benjamin Baumann, Humboldt University, Germany).
• “Globalization-Localization in Vietnam: A Historical Perspective” (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• "Globalization, Cultural Identity and Vietnamese Nationalism" (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Chinh, Department of Anthropology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• “Minorities in the Age of Globalization” (Dr. Lye Tuck-Po, Universiti Sains, Malaysia).
• "Globalization-Localization in Vietnamese Villages" (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• “Social inequality in Vietnam: The evident structures of inequality in Vietnam in the era of global capitalism” (Herrmann Konigs, Humboldt University, Germany).