THE VIETNAMESE ORIENTALISM: ITS INHERITANCE AND ACTUAL PROBLEMS

Abstract

Oriental Studies is a specialization in research and training. Although the Faculty of Oriental Studies (FOS) of Vietnam National University- HCM City (VNU-HCMC), officially speaking, was established only five years ago, the seeds of Vietnamese Oriental Studies have been nurtured since the beginning of Vietnamese culture. For several centuries, the development of Orientalism has witnessed not only a single current of Oriental Studies in the world but also several different ones. Oriental Studies have been diversified by the aims of research. These aims, desirable or not, have influenced one another. The current stream of Oriental Studies in Vietnam, on the one hand, inherits the oriental humanities tradition from Vietnamese culture; on the other hand, it selectively takes in those factors which are favourable to Vietnam to supplement and to enrich the Vietnamese Vietnam develop in the direction of Emancipative Orientalism, beginning with Lenin's point of view on an awakened orient, by Nguyen Ai Quoc's idea about an orient fighting for the self-liberation from the colonialist yoke, as well as for freedom and independence. In general, Oriental Studies, from time immemorial, has been a social science which is always closely related to political and ideological aims. Oriental Studies in Vietnam can be and is indeed a contribution to the modernization and industrialization of our country. We strive by all means in order that the course of research, training and orientation can fulfill its duties reaching the above mentioned aims. An important goal for the future of FOS in VNU-HCMC as well as of other OS institutions in Vietnam, in my opinion, must be the achievement of a vigorous research agenda and training at both the graduate and post-graduate levels.