On 30 – 31 August 2018, An Giang University in collaboration with Assumption University (Thailand) and Giessen University (Germany) organised the International Scientific Conference on “Human philosophy of people in the Southern region of Vietnam”.
The conference was to raise awareness and knowledge of indigenous culture as well as typical cultural features of the people in the Southern region of Vietnam, to provide scientists, officials, lecturers and students with great opportunities in order to exchange and share knowledge of the region embracing culture and custom diversity.
The conference was honored to welcome Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Thang - Rector of An Giang University and Chairman of the Conference Committee; Mr. Stefan Hase Bergen – Director of DAAD German Academic Exchange Service in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Them – HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University; Prof. Detlef Briesen – Giessen University (Germany); Dr. Michael Waibel (Hamburg University, Germany), Dr. Aaron Loh – Assumption University (Thailand), researchers, experts, lecturers, students from national and international institutions; representatives from An Giang Provincial Party Committee and Departments; sponsors and other organisations.






Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Van Thang - Rector of An Giang University and Chairman of the Conference Committee – sincerely thanked Assumption University (Thailand), Giessen University (Germany), the DAAD and other organisations for their supports in organising the conference. It was hoped that the conference would be a platform for researchers, educators, and students to develop their understanding of the issues related to cultures, lifestyles, customs, and human philosophy of people in Southern Vietnam and the lower Mekong River area. Besides, the presentations at the conference would provide further directions in research and also for future conferences.





The Conference Committee received 199 abstracts of which 170 was selected for inclusion in the conference proceedings, and 34 papers were chosen for concurrent presentations. The presentations covered a wide range of topics including cultural values and awareness, religions, and behavioural cultures. In detail, some of the presentations focused on the human philosophy of people in Southern Vietnam and its formation, Philosophy and cultural values of Ethnic minority people, Intangible cultural values of people in Southern regions with the changes and challenges in this modern society.
The knowledge gained from this conference will be a valuable resource for recommendations to authorities at local, regional and national levels, policy makers in order to make plans and strategies for inheriting and enhancing the local culture to a greater extent.
The participants also took part in a field trip to get to know the human philosophy and cultural aspects of people in An Giang such as Long Xuyen floating market, Khmer weaving village in Tinh Bien, Lady Temple in Chau Doc, and Cham village in An Phu.





















Anh Thu – An Giang University Library
Photos: Anh Thu – Minh Tri – Huynh Cam – Minh Chien
Translated by Chi Do Na