Discovering modern Vietnamese culture through a historical perspective

The highlight of the book lies in the author's choice to approach culture from a historical perspective. According to Professor Pham Hong Tung, it is impossible to fully understand Vietnamese culture if we separate it from the historical, political and social context in which culture was formed, developed and promoted.

New book by Professor Pham Hong Tung on Vietnamese culture. Photo: M.Chi

Every cultural value, every custom, belief, or spiritual symbol is the result of a process of accumulation, selection, and adaptation over thousands of years of national history. From this perspective, the author does not just stop at describing or systematizing cultural elements, but also traces their origins and deciphers their profound meanings.

For example, the author explains that patriotism is a core value in Vietnamese culture, not only a result of resistance wars against foreign invaders, but also nurtured by the tradition of village communities, from the spirit of solidarity of rice-growing farmers . Community spirit, compassion, tolerance… are also recognized as “spiritual products” of a culture that has had to face many natural and historical challenges.

With over 400 pages, including 17 monographs, the book is divided into groups of issues that comprehensively reflect the picture of Vietnamese culture through historical periods. Each monograph is a small work, combining theory, documents and modern academic perspectives.

In the introduction, the author discusses the concept and characteristics of Vietnamese culture, in relation to geographical, historical and political conditions: "Vietnam and some other countries in the Southeast Asian region are located at the intersection of trade and cultural exchange between the North and the South, the East and the West, the Continent and the Ocean." The author's analysis shows that Vietnamese culture is not closed but always open "to integrate but not "dissolve", not become a "technological landfill" and "cultural colony" of developed countries."

The following monographs delve into specific issues such as folk beliefs, village culture, traditional education , Vietnamese human ethics, or the relationship between culture and modernization.

Some of the monographs are critical in nature, re-examining familiar arguments in cultural studies. For example, when discussing the influence of Confucianism, the author not only points out its positive aspects in shaping social order and moral standards, but also points out its limitations on creative thinking and gender equality in the process of modernization.

The book also suggests a “vision of the times”, a necessary direction in preserving and promoting national cultural values in the context of globalization. According to Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Tung, while the world is changing strongly with digital technology, digital media and knowledge economy, Vietnamese culture needs to be seen as an important endogenous resource for sustainable development. The author emphasizes the role of cultural education, of building modern Vietnamese people with knowledge and courage, but still imbued with national spirit and traditional values. This viewpoint is directional, in line with the Party's policy on developing Vietnamese culture and people in the period of international integration.

With a scientific, rigorous but close writing style, “Discovering Vietnamese culture: From historical approach to contemporary vision” is not only for researchers, teachers, and students of culture and history, but also a useful document for all those interested in the origins and spiritual values of the nation. The book helps readers realize that Vietnamese culture is not a “static heritage”, but a living entity, always moving with the times.

With many new discoveries and interpretations, the book is truly an inspiring journey of discovery, helping readers gain a deeper understanding of the “soul” of Vietnam, where past and present, tradition and modernity, nation and humanity meet in a continuous cultural flow.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kham-pha-van-hoa-viet-nam-thoi-dai-moi-qua-goc-nhin-lich-su-720316.html