Urban sociology research and training in the Doi moi era

Abstract

Over the past four decades, urban sociology has focused on researching various social issues in Vietnam’s urban areas during the Doi Moi period. Some of these studies were ordered by state management agencies, while others were fundamental research examining newly emerging social strata in urban settings during this period. Urban housing has been a consistent research topic of urban sociology from before Doi moi to the present. Research on this topic has always been in collaboration with planners, architects, policymakers, and urban managers, contributing to the urban housing and development policies. In practice, there were many studies consultating, assessing social impacts of urban development projects. Urban sociology has been taught not only at universities specialising in social sciences and humanities but also at technical universities such as the University of Architecture and the University of Civil Engineering. Numerous theses and dissertations have integrated sociological knowledge and approaches with knowledge of spatial organization, planning, and urban development and management policies. Urban sociology textbooks have been regularly supplemented and updated with new knowledge. All of these efforts have contributed to affirming the role of urban sociology knowledge in the construction, development, and governance of urban areas in Vietnam over more than 40 years of Doi moi.