I. A History of the Leadership of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences

II. Development periods

Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) has been developed for over 60 years since its first establishment in 1953. The VASS has grown up in all fields and had significant contributions to the protection and building of nation over half of century. The academy has also joined in the growth of national technology and science as well as the development of social sciences. The progress of establishment and growth of VASS can be divided into 4 periods which are also the periods of Vietnamese revolution.

1. Establishing, building and developing at first steps (1953-1959)

On December 12^th 1953, the Vietnam Central Labour Secretariat issued decision no. 34/NQ/TW to establish the Research Department of History – Geography – Literature. In middle of 1954, the department was changed to the Research Committee of Literature – History – Geography.

The Research Committee of Literature – History – Geography’s establishment was to meet some following requirements:

- To contribute to the fostering of Marxism – Lenin theories and the revolutionary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

- To improve the love for nation and the spirit of proletarian internationalism.

- To criticize wrong ideas and thoughts against State and Party.

- To develop the cultural and scientific exchange between countries

The tasks of the Research Department of Literature – History – Geography were also clearly written in the establishment decision issued by the Vietnam Central Labour Secretariat as below:

- Collect and research on Vietnamese historical, geographical and cultural documents then edit these documents.

- Research and introduce other countries’ history, geography and literature.

2. Growing up and serving for two strategic duties: Northern Vietnam’s construction and Southern Vietnam’s liberation (1959-1975)

After Northern Liberation and focusing on post - war recovery, Northern Vietnam implemented the socialism reformation and construction which made this part of Vietnam strong and unified.  This period asked the country to develop the technology and science as well as the social sciences.   

On March 4^th 1959, Vietnamese President signed the Edict no. 01/SL to establish the National Committee of Science as a part of Governmental Council. Social Sciences Department was also a member of National Committee of Science.

The major duties of the Social Sciences Department are as followed:

 - Build the organizational structure and the foundation for the later Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

- Positively join in researches on political tasks of Party and State.

- Training resources for social sciences faculty.

- Expand the international relationship on social sciences.

- Support National Committee of Science in social sciences management.

On October 11^th 1965, National Assembly Standing Committee separated the National Committee of Sciences into two independent units as National Committee of Science and Technology and Institutes of Social Sciences (Refer to Decision no. 165/TVQH in October 11^th 1965 of National Assembly).

In June 19^th 1967, National Assembly Standing Committee issued Decision no. 47  47/TVQH on moving Institutes of Social Sciences to Vietnam Committee of Social Sciences.

Its functionalities and tasks “As a research centre and management of social sciences, under the leadership of Communist Party, Vietnam Committee of Social Sciences will apply  Marxism and Leninism to do research on social and scientific issues which make contribution to the national revolutionary”. Also, “as a centre of researchers on social sciences of the country, Vietnam Committee of Social Sciences is the base of Central Party and Government when doing theoretical researches. It is also the base for offices in teaching and promoting social”. (Decision no.117/CP of Prime Minister in July 31th 1967).   

3. National independence and Vietnam moves to socialism (1975-1985)

In the spring of 1975, the general offensive with its peak as the Hochiminh’s historical campaign successfully ended the hardship and long term war of Vietnamese people. This winning also completed the task of liberating Southern Vietnam and achieving the independence for whole country.

Reviewing all functionalities and missions of Vietnam Committee of Social Sciences then summarizing into 5 following major tasks in the new period:

- Doing research on theoretical issues and methodologies of social sciences. Teaching and promoting as a way of contributing to make the Marxism – Leninism play a major role in our social life.

- Promoting traditions and good spiritual values as experiences of revolutionary and socialism construction in Vietnam. This also enriches the theory library of Marxism and Leninism.

- Solving issues raised by the practice in Vietnam.

- Training staff and post – graduates.

- Expanding the international relationship, especially with Soviet and other socialist countries.

4. Renewal and Development period (1986- 2013)

Implementing the Resolution of 6^th  Congress and Resolution no. 26 of the Politburo   on sciences and technology in the renewal period, Vietnam Committee of Social Sciences did a big transition when changing their thoughts and speeding up the progress of renewing social sciences raised in the 6^th congress. The Committee went by many names during this period: Social Sciences and Humanities Centre in 1993, Institutes of Social Sciences in 2004 and Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences since December 2012.

Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences’ resources focus on researching on basic and urgent issues related to both theories and practice during the construction and defence of the nation; helping to form the socialist theories and the pathway toward the socialism.  They provide the scientific evidence to write the political platform and socio – economy development strategy during the transitional period to the socialism, as well as define plans and policies for Party and State in the country’s renewal process. Promoting the research, findings, collection, exploration and historical, cultural and civilized values of Vietnam are ways to improve the public knowledge, people’s patriotism and pride of the country.  Positively working on economic, social and cultural issues to summarize the practice as well as provide the evidence for construction and development plans of each areas and whole country. The collaboration between Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and local authorities is still being expanded while the joint research topics about social sciences and humanities with other countries  are increasingly strengthened. Up to now, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences is working with more than 50 countries on joint research, staff training, and social information exchange. In recent 10 years, VASS has been significantly matured through its achievements obtained in the construction and development. The academy has built up a system of institutes and research faculties as well as developed a high qualified resource of social sciences and humanities studies. Fundamental research topics are also implemented and applied in real life, and they are results of thousands of researchers’ works through periods.  

In over 60 years of construction and development, VASS has contributed to the sciences which are highly evaluated by Party and Government. They are useful for Party and Government to make policies and plans in each certain period as well as develop the culture and sciences of Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences – 60 years of  construction and growth.