A comprehensive study of Vietnamese science and technology in the pre-modern era
The book "A Brief History of Pre-Modern Vietnamese Science and Technology" is a meticulous and serious research work, providing an overall view of the formation and development of Vietnamese science and technology in the pre-modern period, thereby contributing to clarifying the creative capacity and adaptability of the Vietnamese people in the course of history.
In the context where science, technology, and innovation are increasingly recognized as the foundation of sustainable development, looking back at the history of science and technology in Vietnam is significant not only from an academic perspective but also in its ability to provide a foundation for understanding the past.
The authors of "A Brief History of Pre-Modern Vietnamese Science and Technology" include: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Duong, lecturer at the Department of Vietnamese Language and Culture, School of Foreign Languages and Tourism, Hanoi University of Industry; MSc. Pham Vu Loc, researcher at the Vietnam Space Center, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; and MSc. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Dong.
With their multidisciplinary expertise, combining historical, cultural, and scientific-technical research, the authors offer a rigorous and systematic interdisciplinary approach.
Based on a rich system of historical sources and access to modern research achievements, this work contributes to broadening perspectives on the history of knowledge and creative capacity of the Vietnamese people in the pre-modern period.
The knowledge accumulated over centuries, even under limited material and institutional conditions, clearly reflects humanity's capacity for observation, thinking, and adaptation to the challenges of nature and society.
Through surveys of typical fields such as astronomy and calendar systems, geography and cartography, mathematics, dikes, weapons, mechanics, transportation, and architecture, the study shows that from a very early age, the Vietnamese people knew how to absorb, adapt, and develop scientific and technical knowledge to serve essential needs such as production, defense, and community organization.
These practices not only reflect the level of technical skill, but also demonstrate the close connection between knowledge and practice within a specific historical context.
At the same time, the book also contributes to supplementing and refuting some simplistic or one-sided perspectives in historical interpretation, aiming to affirm the creative tradition, proactive learning spirit, and innovative capacity of the Vietnamese ethnic communities in the process of cultural exchange and transformation.
Therefore, the work emphasizes that the history of science and technology in Vietnam should be viewed as a continuous process of accumulation, transformation, and innovation, linked to cultural exchange and the movement of society through different periods.
With its rigorous approach, rich documentation, and clear presentation method, "A Brief History of Pre-Modern Vietnamese Science and Technology" is a valuable reference for readers interested in history, culture, and issues related to knowledge development in the context of Vietnam and the region.