Mythbusting Vietnam: Facts, Fiction, Fantasies

edited by Catherine Earl

Vietnam is studied and understood in myriad ways. Even so, much knowledge is framed by a few dominant paradigms. The concern of this volume – which applies a postmodern approach to knowledge production in area studies – is to highlight the value of knowledge diversity by challenging some of these paradigms and the myths shaped within them. It recognizes that myths are not simply mistakes hence does more than simply focus on debunking a dominant view of 'Vietnam’. Rather, and more complexly, it explores myths a dynamic yet incomplete representations of Vietnam understood as a multiplicity that can never be captured as an entirety and which will continually undergo revisions as knowledge of Vietnam develops. The purpose of this volume, thus, is twofold: first, to identify problematic axiomatic knowledge and raise alternative possibilities and, second, to highlight the value of interdisciplinarity and methodologically diverse approaches in expanding and enhancing knowledge production.

"The different contributions of this volume underline the value of rethinking and questioning knowledge and knowledge production. The reader feels encouraged to sharpen his or her view on mythmaking and to engage in interdisciplinary research to gain analytical richness. Following Catherine Earl's suggestions in the conclusion to increase “interactions … across languages, disciplines and particularized field contexts” (p. 229), this agenda could enrich research and discussions in other disciplines and fields in Southeast Asia and beyond." - Friederike Trotier, ASIEN 154/155

Catherine Earl is a social anthropologist and policy analyst. Author of Vietnam’s New Middle Classes: Gender, Career, City, she has written extensively on the changing nature of work and welfare, mobilities, gender and social change in contemporary Vietnam and Australia.

Publication year: 2018
246 pp / 229mm x 152mm
6 figures, 5 tables
ISBN: 978-87-7694-244-1, Paperback
ISBN: 978-87-7694-243-4, Hardback

NIAS Press