Vietnamese Historiography in the First Half of 20th Century and Its Characteristics

Abstract

In the first half of 20th century, there have appeared in Vietnam Marxist historical viewpoints beside the new history. This article discusses on the new history science on the following respects: The ending of the traditional historical studies and the founding of the new historical studies in Vietnam in the first half of 20th century; the theoretical origins of the new historical studies in the early of 20th century with Phan Boi Chau as typical example; the new historical studies in Vietnam from Phan Boi Chau to 1945.

Some remarks on the Vietnamese historiography in the first half of 20th century to before 1945 can be as followings: 1. On the social background of the historians there were two groups. The first one includes Phan Boi Chau - a pioneer for the Vietnamese modern historical studies and then amateur historical researchers likely Phan Ke Binh, Tran Trong Kim, Ngo Vi Lien, Truc Khe Ngo Van Trien, Dao Duy Anh, Hoa Bang Hoang Thuc Tram (and Hoang Xuan Han later on)... The second one includes historians workin for L'École Francaise d'Extrême Orient (EFEO) in Hanoi like Nguyen Van To, Tran Van Giap, Nguyen Van Huyen...; 2. The methodological issues and approaches of the new historical science in Vietnam in the first half of 20th century; 3. The general history and specialized history in the first half of 20th century; 4. The realistical methods of the new historical studies in Vietnam in the first half of 20th century. The new historical studies were founded in Vietnam 90 years ago, and in first period of about 30 years, it has developed with a lot of great achievements. Some well-known historians and their valuable works have created a large base for the Marxist historical studies in Vietnam later.