The new History program will have 'no forbidden zones'

The Northern border war, land reform and many other "gaps" will be added in the new General History program.

Editor of the new History program - Professor Pham Hong Tung (Director of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences) - discussed changes in the general education History program.

- The current History program still has many "gaps" that have not been mentioned. How will this change in the new program, Professor?

Professor Pham Hong Tung, Editor of the new History program. Photo: Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences.

-The new History program is built on the viewpoint that there is nothing that cannot and must not be said; the problem is how to present it scientifically, humanely, and progressively. Stories from the past that for some reason we previously avoided or did not teach thoroughly can now be included, so that they are appropriate to the cognitive capacity and age psychology of students.

I do not say that we will fill all the gaps in history because that is impossible. History is like other sciences, the discoveries will be endless. But we will try to tell everything, help students learn all historical issues in a scientific spirit, towards humane reconciliation.

For example, it is imperative to teach about Vietnam's sovereignty over its seas and islands, about the history of the nation's struggle to protect and enforce that sovereignty, such as the Hoang Sa naval battles (1974), the Gac Ma battle to protect Truong Sa (1988).

In the history of Vietnam's war of national defense, it is impossible not to learn about the war to defend the Fatherland in the southwestern border (1975-1978), the war to defend the Fatherland innorthern border(1979-1989). Issues such as the introduction of Buddhism and Christianity into Vietnam; feudal society's heavy prejudice against women; mistakes in lifeLand reformand the correction of errors (1953-1956); the difficulties and shortcomings ofsubsidy period(1976-1986)… will also be mentioned..

- The Northern Border War is mentioned in 11 lines in the current textbooks. So, in the new program, how will this event be mentioned?

-We have long avoided the war to defend the Fatherland in the southwestern and northern borders while China still teaches its students that this was a "anti-Vietnam defense war", accusing Vietnam of betrayal and invasion. In fact, China sent 600,000 troops into our territory in 6 northern border provinces.c.

1979 Sino-Vietnamese border war (see details).

Every war has bloodshed and the Northern Border War killed many people. The next generation honors and is grateful to those who died to protect the border of the Fatherland. We also need to learn lessons from this war, to "end war forever", so that the people of Vietnam and China can live in peace, cooperation and friendship.

Thus, there is nothing sensitive or unteachable about this historical event. We include the war to protect the northern border (1979-1989) in the new curriculum in the spirit of history, which is to aim for humanity and humanism, without deepening hatred, glorifying or condemning anyone in the past.

The program will also mention China's great assistance to Vietnam in the two resistance wars against France and the United States. In the 25 years from 1950 to 1975, China provided Vietnam with a lot of weapons and food. We are grateful for this valuable support..

- How will the 1954 land reform be mentioned in the new program, professor?

-In fact, there is no State document prohibiting mentioning the 1954 Land Reform, but in the past many historians avoided it because they did not know how to say it correctly, without being "sensitive". The new History program will teach students the truth that there was a Land Reform in 1954, but this was not the first time in Vietnamese history that there was a land reform.

Since ancient times, land has been the most important resource because our country is an agricultural country. Land belongs to the entire Vietnamese community but the ultimate ownership belongs to the king. The king does not directly distribute land to the people but assigns it to the villages to implement.

Every 3, 5 or 7 years, the village would divide the public land and communal land among the people, to ensure that the dead would have their fields taken back and the newborns would have land to work on. Only irresponsible kings would not pay attention to this, leading to the people fleeing and revolting, and the court collapsing. By stating it clearly, students will understand that the land reform in 1953-1956 was a normal thing, with aspects of continuing what had happened in history..

Before the land reform in 1954, the image of farmers plowing instead of buffaloes was very common in feudal society. Photo archive.

The new program also mentions the period when the Party led the revolution after 80 years of French colonial rule in Vietnam. Under this regime, land was not divided according to the old rules but was almost completely seized by landlords and tyrants.

That is why there are stories like Chi Dau (the central character in the novel Tat Den, author Ngo Tat To) who had to suffer so much that she sold her daughter Ty to the landlord, forcing her to eat with the dogs. In such a context, the Party's land reform with the goal of giving land to the tillers was correct and we basically succeeded.

- What about the negative aspects of land reform?

-The new program also mentioned the mistakes in land reform when it was brought up for denunciation, turning economic measures into political struggles, then mechanically and extremely blaming landlords, causing many people to die unjustly. Later, the Party realized and corrected this mistake. President Ho Chi Minh shed tears when talking about the mistakes in land reform.

Lessons from the land reform in 1953-1956 will help today's generation when doing business to know humanity and humanism for stable development. From past events, teachers can relate to the present, such as mentioning the violations that led to deforestation causing flash floods or environmental disasters that caused social unrest... Thus, education and orientation of students will be more effective and practical, awakening civic consciousness in students.h.

According to VNE