Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc as approached from theoretical and cultural perspectives

Abstract

In the first decade of 20th century, a new social environment was arisen with a new mode of production, new ways of doing business and new social structure. The process of establishing the new social environment is marked by new way of life and new way of thinking of the urban population. The Europeanization was going strongly, and mostly in the cities, especially in Sai Gon, Ha Noi and Hai Phong. These were favorable condition for accepting and reproducing of thoughts that had not existed formerly. From the theoretical and cultural perspectives I reexamine the birth and influence of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc (Hanoi Free School) in the Vietnamese social life in the first decades of 20th century, particularly in two following aspects: 1. From Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc to the Free School Movement; 2. Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc - Central multiplicator of new thoughts.