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On September 25, 2026, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City hosted the 2026 Southern Sociology Day alongside a premier national scientific conference titled “Contemporary Southern Sociology: A Half-Century and 40 Years of Doi Moi Toward Sustainable Development.”
Reflecting on 40 Years of History
In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Luu Van Quyet, Vice President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, highlighted the event as a vibrant intellectual hub to reflect on the field's nearly half-century evolution and Vietnam's 40 years of Doi Moi (Economic Renewal). He reaffirmed the discipline's core ethos: listening to society, understanding the human experience through empirical evidence, and dedicating efforts to community service. "Ultimately, all development must be human-centric," he stated. "Quality of life serves as a crucial barometer of progress, and no one should be left behind in our social evolution."
Weighing in on the conference, Professor Nguyen Huu Minh, President of the Vietnamese Sociological Association, praised the pioneering spirit of the Southern research community. He emphasized that their proactive engagement with real-world issues has fortified a robust scientific framework, directly informing effective governance and sustainable development strategies.
A Showcase of Academic Excellence
The conference featured dynamic discourse, delivering 19 compelling presentations across the plenary session and three parallel panel tracks, drawing over 30 in-depth scholarly exchanges. The discussions tackled pressing, real-world issues specific to the Southern region across three specialized forums: Panel 1 focused on Urban Sociology, Green Livelihoods, and Climate Change; Panel 2 explored Social Structure, Gender Equality, and Community Life; and Panel 3 was exclusively dedicated to Student Scientific Research.
A standout feature of this year's event was the introduction of a dedicated panel for undergraduate and graduate student research. The Organizing Committee and association leaders strongly commended this initiative, which carves out an exclusive academic space to empower the next generation of scholars.
Concluding on a high note, the event featured a ceremonial flag handover, passing the baton to the host of the 2027 Southern Sociology Day. Presided over by Professor Bui The Cuong, Head of the Southern Working Committee for the Vietnamese Sociological Association, the handover saw Dr. Tran Anh Tien, Dean of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City Faculty of Social Work, Anthropology, and Sociology, present the rotating flag to Le Minh Tien, MA, Chair of the Sociology Branch at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. This symbolic gesture underscored a seamless transition and a shared commitment to upholding academic traditions across institutions.
Taking the helm for the upcoming year holds profound significance for Ho Chi Minh City Open University, as 2027 will also mark the institution's 35th anniversary of pioneering sociology education.
Additional photos from the event:
