HERITAGE STUDIES IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT: APPROACHES, METHODS AND PROSPECTS IN VIETNAM

Abstract

Heritage Studies is an emerging field that has gained prominence in recent decades, driven by the increasing global interest in the dynamics of memory, identity, and the politics surrounding heritage. This article traces the theoretical and methodological evolution of the field, highlighting a shift from traditional object- and activity-centered approaches to more constructivist, interpretive, and critical theoretical frameworks. By examining global perspectives within Heritage Studies, the article raises an important question: How can the field of Heritage Studies be developed in Vietnam, a post-colonial society that has undergone profound transformations since the Doi Moi reforms, influenced by both globalization and local socio-political movements? Rather than confining itself to a technical or managerial framework, Heritage Studies should be regarded as a reflexive discipline, one that critically interrogates the ways in which heritage is constructed, negotiated, and mobilized in contemporary society