@article{ART003365998},
author={Do Thi Huong Thao},
title={Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts},
journal={SUVANNABHUMI},
issn={2092-738X},
year={2026},
volume={18},
number={2},
pages={45-70},
doi={10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45}
TY - JOUR
AU - Do Thi Huong Thao
TI - Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts
JO - SUVANNABHUMI
PY - 2026
VL - 18
IS - 2
PB - Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies
SP - 45
EP - 70
SN - 2092-738X
AB - This article examines the role of Confucian education in the Nguyễn dynasty’s state-building strategy in the Northern Highlands of Vietnam in the nineteenth century. By analyzing official historical records and statistical data on the civil service examination system, this study challenges James C. Scott’s “Zomia” theory of highland isolation and statelessness as it proposes a model of integrative negotiation which emphasizes connectivity, drawing on the analytical approach of Oscar Salemink.
The study identifies a fundamental shift from the “indirect management” policy during King Gia Long’s reign to “civilizing” strategy under Minh Mệnh, in which education was used as a soft-power tool to establish symbolic sovereignty. Through the establishment of a system of educational officials, construction of Confucian temples and schools, along with revision of examination regulations in favor of mountainous regions, the Nguyễn dynasty forged a link between the central government and the local administration. Although examination results remained modest, the emergence of local intellectuals and “lưu quan” (Kinh officials assigned to the highlands) affirms that the Northern Highland was an active space of interaction, inseparable from the historical and cultural currents of a unified nation.
KW - Confucian education;Nguyễn Dynasty;Zomia; Northern Highlands;State-making
DO - 10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
ER -
Do Thi Huong Thao. (2026). Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts. SUVANNABHUMI, 18(2), 45-70.
Do Thi Huong Thao. 2026, "Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts", SUVANNABHUMI, vol.18, no.2 pp.45-70. Available from: doi:10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
Do Thi Huong Thao "Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts" SUVANNABHUMI 18.2 pp.45-70 (2026) : 45.
Do Thi Huong Thao. Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts. 2026; 18(2), 45-70. Available from: doi:10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
Do Thi Huong Thao. "Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts" SUVANNABHUMI 18, no.2 (2026) : 45-70.doi: 10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
Do Thi Huong Thao. Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts. SUVANNABHUMI, 18(2), 45-70. doi: 10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
Do Thi Huong Thao. Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts. SUVANNABHUMI. 2026; 18(2) 45-70. doi: 10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
Do Thi Huong Thao. Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts. 2026; 18(2), 45-70. Available from: doi:10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
Do Thi Huong Thao. "Confucian Education in the Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty: From Policies to Socio-Cultural Impacts" SUVANNABHUMI 18, no.2 (2026) : 45-70.doi: 10.22801/svn.2026.18.2.45
