Research
Vietnam is one of the most consequential yet still underexamined countries in the contemporary global landscape. Its history and present offer a distinctive lens for studying how societies navigate conflict and reconciliation, rapid economic transformation, environmental vulnerability, social inequality, cultural change, and technological innovation. The Vietnam Studies Program supports interdisciplinary research that connects Vietnam’s specific experiences to broader questions facing Asia and the world.
Rather than organizing research only by discipline, the Program will encourage thematic clusters that bring together scholars from across Harvard’s schools. These clusters are intended to catalyze collaboration, support new research, and create opportunities for students and partners to engage with Vietnam-related scholarship.
Initial research themes
Economic Transformation and Innovation
Research on manufacturing, entrepreneurship, supply chains, digital transformation, labor, green growth, and Vietnam’s role in regional and global economic change.
Culture, Arts, History, and Philosophy
Research on Vietnamese history, literature, religion, Buddhism, Confucianism, intellectual traditions, visual culture, performance, film, and contemporary cultural life.
Health, Society, and Human Development
Research on public health, primary care, health systems, medical education, global health security, aging, noncommunicable diseases, workforce development, urban-rural equity, and social welfare.
Governance, Law, and International Relations
Research on governance, constitutional development, law, public administration, U.S.-Vietnam relations, ASEAN, diplomacy, security, and Vietnam’s place in a changing regional order.
Environment, Agriculture, and Climate
Research on climate adaptation, the Mekong Delta, water and food systems, sustainable agriculture, urbanization, energy transition, and environmental resilience.
Migration, Diaspora, Memory, and Reconciliation
Research on Vietnamese migration, refugee histories, Vietnamese American communities, war memory, reconciliation, intergenerational identity, and the global Vietnamese diaspora.
Research collaboration
Faculty, students, and partners interested in Vietnam-related research collaboration are encouraged to contact the Program. The Program aims to support early-stage conversations, interdisciplinary working groups, workshops, visiting scholars, field-based learning, and future research partnerships with institutions in Vietnam and beyond.