VNUHCM Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

The political ideology education for students at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City in the current context: Current situation and some key solutions

Lan Thi Phuong Ngo — 2024-06-30

Political ideology education for students in higher education institutions plays a pivotal role in nurturing their qualities and personalities, as well as endowing them with a scientific worldview and a correct methodology. This education contributes significantly to shaping generations of students, who possess both political integrity and professional competence, capable of undertaking substantial responsibilities in a landscape, where the nation enjoys numerous advantages but also faces hidden difficulties and challenges. Drawing from the research conducted on the political ideology education for students at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, this article examines the present state of this endeavor from the two perspectives: the attained outcomes and the remaining challenges. By analyzing the current context, the article puts forward several key solutions aimed at enhancing the efficacy of this education within the contemporary pivotal framework for the country's development. The research findings show that the political ideology education for students at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City is consistently regarded as a crucial, strategic, and enduring task. It receives ample attention and implementation from the entire political apparatus, manifesting in a variety of approaches that blend tradition with modernity. Consequently, this educational effort has achieved depth and fortified its efficacy. However, notwithstanding its accomplishments, recent developments have revealed certain shortcomings and constraints stemming from both subjective and objective factors. Hence, there is a pressing need for fundamental solutions to augment the effectiveness of this education and align it more closely with the prevailing context.

Officials and workers’ perception of political-ideological work at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City

Lan Thi Phuong Ngo — 2024-06-30

The political-ideological work (PIW) has played a significant role in enhancing political-ideological perception and political qualities and shaping ideological stances to promote the social responsibility of officials and workers at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City over the past time. Based on the survey results of 1,940 lecturers, specialists, and researchers, this paper focuses on analyzing officials and workers’ perception of the content and importance of PIW in higher education institutions. The results have indicated that most officials and workers in the surveyed sample recognized the critical contents of PIW, except for “The participation in Party organizations, leadership, and administrative and professional management of the university” and “The struggle against the “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” in the Party”. Most officials and workers highly appreciate the importance of PIW at the university. However, the leadership, administrative and professional management apparatus as well as the labor union of the university have not received proportional recognition for their actual role in PIW. There are disparities among groups of officials and workers in accessing PIW information. Those not in managerial positions and are not Party members have fewer advantages in accessing diverse information and a lower level of understanding of PIW content than other groups at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City. To enhance VNUHCM officials and workers’ coverage and understanding, diverse units within the university should actively participate in PIW.

Economy and sustainable development issues among local ethnic minorities in the South Central Highlands, Vietnam

Thu Ngoc Huynh — 2024-06-30

Sustainable development has been a topic of concern to the Party and State for many decades. Especially, the sustainable development in mountainous regions and ethnic minority areas has always been focused on with promulgated resolutions and policies. Local ethnic minorities in the South Central Highlands such as Ede, Co-ho, Mnong in particular, and other ethnic minorities are also among the subjects of concern to promote the sustainable development. However, currently, in order to develop sustainably as expected by the Government, these ethnic groups must gradually solve the challenges they are facing, including economic development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, food security, education development, etc. Although these issues have positively changed over the past years, they are still not enough to ensure the sustainable development. Because of the high rate of poor and near-poor households, low education levels and limited lifelong learning opportunities, uncertain food security, etc., to achieve the sustainable development, in addition to the efforts of the ethnic groups themselves, the Government still needs to continue to support them more in the coming time to gradually solve the challenges they are facing. That is also the goal of this article with implications for policy implementation so that local ethnic minorities in particular and other ethnic minorities in general can develop sustainably in the future. The data source of the article was collected in the community in 2022 by participant observation, questionnaire surveys, and in-depth interviews. The article analyzes the economic situation and explores the challenges that local ethnic minorities in the South Central Highlands are facing.

Career Adaptability of Students at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

Tiến Trần Anh — 2024-06-30

This study elucidates the career adaptability of students at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), through the analysis of survey data consisting of 380 samples collected in 2023. The data was gathered using a combination of quota sampling and convenience sampling methods. The theoretical foundation of this research is based on Savickas’ (2005) model of career adaptability [1]. The data analysis methods employed include descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, reliability testing using Cronbach’s Alpha, One-way ANOVA, and T-Test, all conducted using SPSS software. The study focuses on third-year students and above, from six member schools of VNU-HCM. The results indicate that VNU-HCM students scored highest on future orientation and lowest on confidence. Among the 23 indicators of career adaptability, the highest average scores were observed in the areas of personal responsibility, concern for future careers, and the acquisition of new skills. Conversely, the indicators with the lowest average scores included planning to achieve goals, confidence in overcoming life's obstacles, and confidence in problem-solving. To enhance the career adaptability of VNU-HCM students, the study emphasizes the need for educators, counselors, and policymakers to support students in career planning; building self-esteem; enhancing decision-making skills; and fostering optimism. Additionally, there should be increased support for building student confidence to overcome obstacles and solve problems. Attention should also be given to differences in career adaptability among students of different majors, academic performance levels, and the positive, significant impact of part-time work on enhancing career adaptability for VNU-HCM students.

Some features of the Sen Dolta festival among the Khmer people in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province today

Duc Minh Tran — 2024-06-30

Sen Dolta is one of the typical traditional festivals of the Khmer community in Loc Ninh district – the Southeast region as well as in the Mekong Delta – the Southwest region and other areas. The festival reflects many distinctive cultural features, including customs, beliefs, arts, community relationships, especially the Khmer people’s way of behaving towards their ancestors’ spirits. Although there are the same origin and meaning as the Khmer community in the Mekong Delta – the Southwest region, due to the impact of many factors, besides the similarities, the Khmer festivals in Loc Ninh district also possess characteristic cultural traits. Based on a comparative perspective and the ecological-cultural theory, combined with the ethnographic fieldwork method, the research results indicate that the Sen Dolta festival of the Khmer people in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province has undergone changes and at the same time formed unique features, different from those in other Khmer regions, especially compared to the Khmer people in some localities in the Mekong Delta – the Southwest region. In addition to factors such as the historical context, social interactions, cultural exchange and acculturation among ethnic groups, etc., the specific natural conditions and ecological environment are the significant factors shaping the unique cultural traits as well as modifying the Sen Dolta festival of the Khmer people in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province and in the Southeast region today.

Survey of Vietnamese-Chinese economic and commercial translation textbooks/books system and related suggestions

Hà Thúy Đỗ — 2024-06-30

The exchange of cultural and economic aspects among nations and ethnicities is an essential demand and necessity of the modern societal development process. As of now, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with nearly 190 countries and territories. Being a neighboring country with a long-standing relationship with Vietnam, China has consistently been Vietnam’s largest trading partner and the second-largest export market. Meanwhile, Vietnam continues to be China’s largest trading partner among countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 6th largest globally. These figures demonstrate vibrant and potentially expansive trade activities between the two nations. Throughout these exchanges and trade activities, translation between Chinese and Vietnamese plays an immensely crucial role, even determining the success or failure of an economic transaction. Despite its importance, there is a scarcity of materials related to the field of economic and commercial translation between Chinese and Vietnamese at large bookstores, university libraries, book-selling websites, digital databases, etc. in both China and Vietnam. If available, they tend to cover only a few topics with economic vocabulary, concepts, and policies yet to be updated. Through conducting a survey of the system of books/textbooks related to Vietnamese-Chinese Economic and Commercial Translation, combined with practical data published on the websites of Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Ministry of Planning and Investment, this paper aims to provide assessments and proposals regarding the compilation of translation textbooks that align with development trends and bilateral economic cooperation. It seeks to contribute to the development of a high-value Vietnamese – Chinese Economic and Commercial Translation textbook suitable for Vietnamese learners, with practical significance and wide applicability not only in academic institutions but also in society at large.

Political parties in Indonesia through the elections (1945-2019)

Ha Kim Hoang Van — 2024-06-30

Indonesian political parties were born early and are closely associated with historical periods of Indonesia. In the pre-independence period, some political parties in Indonesia appeared, but their struggle goals and action programs were not clear and not recognized by the Dutch colonial government because they were considered against the authorities and destabilized the security situation. In the post-independence period, Indonesian political parties flourished and played a certain role in the Indonesian political system. In each period of Indonesian history after 1945, the number of political parties as well as their goals were also very different. The multi-party or single-party system in the Indonesian political system is dominated and controlled by the government. Using the historical research method and interdisciplinary approach, especially political sciences, the article studies Indonesian political parties through 3 periods.: (1) the Old Order, (2) the New Order, and (3) the Reform. In each period, the article examines the existence and role of Indonesian political parties through elections as well as their participation in legislative institution. At the same time, the article also examines Indonesia’s democracy through elections in the above three periods.

The problem of sovereignty over the Paracels Islands and the Spratly Islands in the relations between the State of Vietnam and the French Republic (1950-1955)

Tiến Nam Trần — 2024-06-30

During the second war of invasion of Vietnam (September 1945), the French colonialists established a puppet government to serve the “new colonial” rule. After many trials, the State of Vietnam under the patronage of France was born in 1949. The French government recognized “the independence” of the State of Vietnam through the Élysée Agreement. On this basis, the French Government transferred management rights to many territories in Vietnam, including islands in the East Sea. Since 1950, the French Government transferred the management of the Paracels Islands to the State of Vietnam. However, the French Government did not transfer the Spratly Islands to the State of Vietnam because they originally belonged to Cochinchina. In the period 1950-1955, the State of Vietnam exercised the sovereignty over the Paracels Islands, and at the same time fought with the French Government to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands. The article focuses on 1) presenting the establishment of the State of Vietnam and its assertion of sovereignty over the Paracels Islands and Spratly Islands, 2) the process of taking over and exercising the sovereignty of the State of Vietnam over the Paracels Islands, and 3) the State of Vietnam struggling with the French Government to assert the sovereignty over the Spratly Islands.

"Gian đạo sĩ" and the trend of "Orthodoxization" of endogenous religions in Southern Vietnam

Phong Thanh Nguyen — 2024-06-30

Southern Vietnam became the "good land" of Chinese immigrant groups since the late 17th century after the Ming Dynasty was overthrown by the Manchu Qing army. A part of those political refugees were members of South China folk religious sects, who used religion and religious movements as a means to gather a large number of insurgents to “fight against Qing and restore Ming” in order to realize their political intentions. This spirit of “restoring the old dynasty” influenced patriotic scholars with feudal ideology in Vietnam, who were in a similar situation when confronting the invading French colonialists, thereby transforming into the awareness of “fighting against the French and restoring the Vietnamese emperor". They were deeply influenced by the Confucian spirit of "patriotism and respect for the monarch" and were determined to embrace the religious flag with the nuances of Confucianism - Buddhism - Taoism and local traditions to gather insurgents, who fought against invaders and restored the kingship of the natives. It is the ambiguous transformation process between Confucian scholars and Taoist priests. Especially, in the context of strict surveillance and brutal repression by contemporary authorities, they were considered "gian đạo sĩ" fiercely resisting authorities. Since then, the trend of "Orthodoxization" has appeared to shape them into monks who do not care about politics, or at least submit to serve the government. Using research methods (tactics) of analyzing written documents, field surveys, ethnographic fieldwork, and logical analysis, the article analyzes the phenomenon of "gian đạo sĩ" in Southern Vietnam’s endogenous religions and also clarifies the "Orthodoxization" trend of the popular belief of Ngũ Công Vương Phật from the late 19th to early 20th century, thereby introducing an interesting cultural phenomenon in contemporary Southern Vietnam’s social life.