Vietnamese studies training programs in Vietnam in the context of international integration: Reality and development orientation

Abstract

Vietnamese studies was launched as a training program in Vietnam in the last decade of the twentieth century at Da Lat University. Since 1994, Vietnamese studies has gradually become established as a highly applicable science in the context of international integration. After nearly 30 years, dozens of international and national seminars on research and training orientation have been organised to evaluate early achievements as well as shortcomings and limitations that need to be addressed. This study is based on an analysis of the development process to find answers to the fundamental problems of Vietnam so it can thereby perform its roles and missions well under the current context of international integration. Vietnamese studies is a subject built on general knowledge about Vietnam's geography, history, literature, people, and culture. This paper is aimed to answer what distinguishes Vietnamese studies from other social sciences and humanities disciplines; how should interdisciplinarity, rather than a mere addition to forming general knowledge, be clearly understood to carry out the true nature; and how should the Vietnamese studies training program organization be designed to meet the new requirements set by the integration context. To achieve the research objectives mentioned above, the historical - documentary method, and observation - interview method were used in this paper.