VMOST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities - D

Mental health and attitudes toward seeking professional help among students of Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City

Le Minh Cong, Nguyen Van Tuong*, Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu — 2025-12-20

The study on mental health and attitudes towards seeking professional help among students at the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) is the result of a cross-sectional survey conducted in October 2023, with the participation of 8,383 students. This research aims to assess the levels of risk for mental health problems among students at VNU-HCM. Additionally, the study explores the current attitudes towards seeking professional help among students when they face mental health problems in their academic and personal lives. The results indicate that students were at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms (from mild to severe levels, 77.7%) and anxiety symptoms (58.8%) to varying degrees; however, they rarely seek professional help (M=1.66; SD=0.75). VNU-HCM students’ attitudes towards seeking professional assistance reveal that while they can endure the stigma associated with mental health, they remain hesitant to discuss these issues with others. They recognise the need for psychological therapy and have trust in professionals, yet they lack the initiative to seek help. These findings indicate the need for measures, including enhanced communication and the integration of multimedia platforms, to raise awareness and encourage students to seek professional help when needed.

The factors influencing persuasion knowledge and purchase intentions on live-streaming commerce platforms among Generation Z consumers in Vietnam: The moderating role of anticipated inaction regret

Thanh Ngoc My Duyen* — 2025-12-20

In recent years, the rapid growth of live-streaming commerce in Vietnam has transformed consumer behaviour, with streamers playing a pivotal role in purchase decisions. Live streamers have had a profound impact on shaping consumers’ purchasing decisions. This study explores the self-presentation behaviours of live streamers within the context of e-commerce live-streaming and examines their impact on consumers’ purchase intentions. A survey of 264 Generation Z consumers in Vietnam reveals that helpful and empathetic behaviours exhibited by live streamers positively influence consumers’ purchase intentions. These findings offer both theoretical contributions to digital persuasion literature and practical strategies for Vietnamese e-commerce platforms. Moreover, derogatory behaviour and exaggerated behaviour displayed during broadcasts can significantly enhance persuasion knowledge regarding consumer purchases. Additionally, anticipated inaction regret (AIR) serves as a moderating factor in the relationship between persuasion knowledge and consumers’ purchase intentions. Furthermore, AIR significantly moderates this process, suggesting that emotional anticipation of regret can override consumers’ scepticism driven by persuasion knowledge, thereby increasing their purchase intention. However, the use of convenience sampling and the predominance of urban respondents may limit the generalisability of the findings.

Consumer attitudes and intentions toward safe pork in a frontier market: A theory of planned behaviour analysis

Diu Thi Huong Pham*, Chor Sheiha — 2025-12-20

Growing food safety awareness in Vietnam’s urbanising regions has heightened interest in safe pork consumption, yet the behavioural drivers remain underexamined. This study employs the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to explore the factors shaping safe pork adoption among consumers in Gia Lam
commune, a frontier market. Survey findings indicate that attitude most strongly influences purchase intention, followed by subjective norms and perceived behavioural control, with intention serving as a key predictor of purchase behaviour. These results underscore the primacy of health-driven motivations moderated by access limitations and provide a fresh application of the theory in an emerging context. The research offers insights for public health initiatives and food labelling strategies, identifying critical leverage points for producers and policymakers to promote safe pork uptake while highlighting the need for broader investigations across Vietnam’s diverse markets.

Using grey models for forecasting Vietnam’s renewable energy consumption

Nguyen Dinh Tien* — 2025-12-20

Vietnam has actively pursued its commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has been an engaged participant in the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21). One of Vietnam’s key obligations is to drive a significant energy transition aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The development of renewable energy sources is an essential global endeavour, given their crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment, and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. This study employs grey forecasting models (GM(1,1), NGBM(1,1), and DGM(1,1)) to predict Vietnam’s renewable energy consumption from 2023 to 2030. The analysis reveals a substantial increase in renewable energy demand, with forecasts indicating considerable growth: GM(1,1) predicts 632.2 TWh, DGM(1,1) anticipates 602.5 TWh, and NGBM(1,1) projects 557.7 TWh by 2030. Among the models, DGM(1,1) yields the most accurate results, with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 6.76%. This forecast aligns with Vietnam’s
ambitious renewable energy development goals, aimed at diversifying its energy mix and meeting climate mitigation targets. The findings highlight the importance of continued investment in renewable energy technologies, infrastructure, and supportive policies to secure a sustainable energy future while
balancing economic growth and environmental preservation. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers in shaping Vietnam’s energy transition strategies over the coming decades.

A digital transformation approach from traditional to virtual practice: A case study of gas welding corner-welding

Nguyen Van Huan, Nguyen Thi Hang* — 2025-12-20

The digital transformation context has opened up many new opportunities in the field of education and training, allowing learning to take place in multiple environments with rich experiences. Converting the traditional vocational training model to virtual vocational training will bring many benefits, creating a
flexible learning environment, improving knowledge and skills for learners, and reducing training costs. The article focuses on analysing the current situation of vocational training and teaching activities at vocational training institutions in the current period, therefore proposing solutions to digitally transform vocational training models, contributing to improving vocationcal training quality and enhancing competitiveness in the labour market. The article selects a pilot project to build a virtual vocational training model for virtual practice on the metal corner welding method using gas welding techniques. The virtual practice has been tested with 40 experts, scientists, teachers, and 270 students studying at five colleges and vocational secondary schools in Thai Nguyen province (before the administrative merger) that provide training in electricity, mechanics, welding, etc., and the results have shown its effectiveness when digitally transforming traditional professional practice models.

Insights into English as a foreign language students’ engagement in English medium instruction classes

Thi Gia Linh Nguyen — 2025-12-20

English medium instruction (EMI) has gained significance in English language education; however, research on English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ engagement in EMI classes in different contexts, such as Vietnam, has not been extensively explored. This study aims to investigate EFL students’ engagement in EMI classes. One hundred and eighty students from various majors were sampled from a higher education institution in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. A quantitative approach was employed, utilising a closed-ended questionnaire for data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS software for descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings demonstrated that EFL students exhibited a high level of engagement in EMI classes across three aspects: behavioural, cognitive, and
emotional engagement; however, students showed their cognitive engagement at the highest level, followed by emotional and behavioural engagement. Notably, the study revealed a significant difference in EFL students’ engagement in EMI between hard sciences and soft sciences. This study suggests several pedagogical implications for enhancing student engagement in EMI classes at the context of higher education institutions in Vietnam and other similar ones.

Zambalataya: Where are the 21st-century faithful today? A narrative inquiry

Eric DS Ebro* — 2025-12-20

Zambalataya is a blended phrase referring to the people of Zambales (Zambaleño) and Faith (Pananampalataya). This qualitative study seeks to investigate the evolving experiences of the faithful concerning their religiosity and spirituality. Employing narrative inquiry as the research design, the study engaged novena devotees and laypersons who served as church volunteers as its participants. Data were collected through the focus group discussions (FGD) method. The findings reveal that the 21^st-century faithful in the Filipino society hold faith in high regard as integral to their lives and identity, acknowledge the evolving nature of faith traditions, and demonstrate a strengthened faith amidst societal changes. Religious faith is nurtured even through the evolution of showcasing faith.
The material aspects of religion change, but its non-material aspect cultivates more from its origins, as exposed by the rising number of young faithful involved in rituals using different media to display modern religiosity. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of dynamic religiosity as reflected in personal spiritual expressions. Findings also foster ecumenism as they uncover the evolving religious and spiritual practices of the 21^st-century faithful.

China and India in the race for leadership of the Global South: Current status and international relations challenges

Quang Anh Nguyen* — 2025-12-20

This research examines the escalating competition between China and India for leadership in the Global South, highlighting their differing approaches to expanding influence across the region. The research focuses on their economic, political, and diplomatic strategies, particularly concerning the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by China, while India emphasises soft power, democratic values, and cultural diplomacy. The research method is primarily qualitative, using comparative analysis of China’s and India’s foreign policies to assess the broader geopolitical implications. The research explores the impact of this rivalry on regional and global governance, examining how it shapes the political and economic trends of the Global South. As both nations strive for dominance, the research considers the challenges and opportunities that such competition presents for smaller and emerging countries, as well as the potential risks of deepening divides within multilateral institutions.

Myanmar’s responses to major power strategies in the Indo-Pacific in the early 21st century

Tuan Binh Nguyen* — 2025-12-20

Since 1948, Myanmar has advocated implementing a non-aligned foreign policy to maintain its autonomy in international relations. Throughout the country’s history, Myanmar’s foreign policy towards major powers has resembled a pendulum swinging back and forth between “positive non-alignment” and “negative neutrality”. In the early 21st century, with the foreign policy adjustments of major countries in the Indo-Pacific region (specifically the US, China, India, and Japan), Myanmar has also had to respond with policy adjustments to ensure its own development. In recent years, as they have faced significant international and regional changes, major powers have adjusted their foreign strategies, including those related to the Indo-Pacific region. By employing a combination of historical and international relations research methods, this article aims to analyse the transition from Myanmar’s “positive non-alignment” policy to its “negative neutrality” policy in response to changes in the country’s international, regional, and internal situations. Myanmar’s policies in recent decades may offer references for consideration in Vietnam's foreign policy formulation.

Exploring Joseon history through the royal lives and political roles of Joseon queens: The case of the Yeoheung Min clan

La Duy Tan* — 2025-12-20

Confucianism not only played a dominant role throughout the 500-year history of the Joseon dynasty but also became deeply embedded in various cultural, political, and social aspects of the kingdom since its establishment. Compared to the preceding Goryeo dynasty, Confucianism gained dominance during the gradual decline of Buddhism due to the “Respect Confucianism, Suppress Buddhism” policy executed by the Joseon ruling classes. However, over its long history, Joseon Confucianism itself underwent significant changes, which were reflected chronologically through the political and social transformations of the period. In this article, the author seeks to explore the royal life and political roles of Joseon queens from the Yeoheung Min clan (present-day Yeoju city, Gyeonggi-do) to shed light on the development and enforcement of Confucianism. Furthermore, this study proposes an approach to understanding Joseon history through the analysis of several influential individuals, consequently contributing to an empirical method of teaching and researching Korean political history.

Emperor Minh Mang’s policy towards Buddhism (1820-1840)

Duy Phuong Nguyen* — 2025-12-20

Emperor Minh Mang was a ruler who left a significant mark on Vietnam’s monarchy with many outstanding achievements in administrative reform, educational and cultural development, territorial unity, and the protection of national sovereignty. While considering Confucianism as the orthodox ideology to assert
its unique position, the emperor remained friendly and open to Buddhism. During Emperor Minh Mang’s reign, Buddhism experienced significant development, not only in appearance and scale but also in asserting its role in contemporary political, cultural, and social life. The article aims, through reliable sources, to more clearly reflect the state of Vietnamese Buddhism under Emperor Minh Mang’s reign, contributing to a new understanding of the development of Vietnamese Buddhism during this period, and then to reassess the emperor’s policy toward Buddhism. At the same time, the article will identify the unique characteristics that confirm the positive aspects of Buddhism during this period and clarify the critical role of Buddhism, not only in the past but also in the ongoing process of building and defending Vietnam today.

Colonial rhetorics of modernity in Vietnam: “The New” (Cái mới) in Vietnamese literature during the colonial period

Pham Phuong Chi* — 2025-12-20

Much of colonial discourse relied polemically on the rhetoric of colonial modernity; meanwhile, behind the discursive and practical power of modernity is colonial exploitation. It asks how notions of the new novel, the new woman, and foreigners reflected and influenced Vietnamese intellectuals’ imagination about the Vietnamese nation and Vietnamese literature. In other words, the concepts of new women, new literature, or foreigners, based on the historicist view of humans and literature, helped to mask colonialism in the discourse of modernity, making it appear desirable and reasonable. This article argues that the participation of theorists, writers, critics, and journalists in metropolitan countries and colonies in articulating modernity went beyond its attached colonialist purpose to think and act for the “real” development of Vietnam intellectually, economically, and politically. This was meant to construct a national culture. As such, this article engages with a deconstructing approach, emphasising the historically specific context of colonial dependence in colonial Vietnam.