Some points about Ho Quy Ly’s socio-economic reform policies

Abstract

Throughout the history of Vietnam, 10 socio-economic reformations have occurred. The size, level, nature and outcome of those reforms varied, but they all shared the same trait showing progress and revolution, especially ideology. Many leaders of socio-economic revolutions were talented people in the society who saw the cause leading to crises and the way to resolve them. They could be emperors, Confucian intellectuals, officials, etc. The reformation of Ho Quy Ly from the late 14th to the early 15th centuries is among them. It is a comprehensive and breakthrough reformation. Throughout 40 years, with his political position, Ho Quy Ly made some policies to change crisis status in terms of socio-economy in the late 14th century, especially economy. Over 600 years, many studies about Ho Quy Ly and his reform gave out many different opinions. In the feudal period, the Ho Dynasty and its reform received many negative reviews from historians who were affected by Confucianism. However, after 1954, this topic came back on research forums of modern historians in Vietnam. Those researches help researches about Ho Quy Ly's role in history become more positive than periods before. This paper will analyze the background of Vietnam society in the half-end of the 14th century to clarify reasons leading to Ho Quy Ly's changes. From the results, we can objectively judge the thoughts of the reform by Ho Quy Ly when facing the requests of his living period.