Set within Professor Nicolas Weber’s forthcoming book "Forbidden Voices, Silenced Memory: The Making of a Cham Century", this talk explores one of its central sources: a 19th-century Cham verse narrative known as The Rhyme of Looking Forward. As one of fifteen texts featured in the project, the narrative is read as a “living archive”—a body of poetic memory that restores Cham perspectives to the historical landscape of modern Southeast Asia. Through its lines, generations of Cham observers recorded what they witnessed and endured, articulating their experiences of upheaval and their interpretations of regional transformation across the 19th and 20th centuries.

This is a video recording of a scholarly panel on literary production in the Republic of Vietnam, led by John Phan at Columbia University. Featuring speakers Thuý Đinh, Olga Dror, Trinh Luu, and Nu-Anh Tran, the discussion explores the cultural, historical, and political contexts shaping South Vietnamese literature. Pre-recorded appearances by writers Nhã Ca and Phan Nhật Nam add personal reflections on war, memory, and exile. The panel situates their works within broader intellectual and diasporic conversations. Co-hosted by the Weatherhead East Asian Institute and Columbia Journalism School, the event forms part of the “50-30: From War to Peace” series.

In this engaging lecture, Professor Kathlene Baldanza (Penn State University) explores the long and complex history between Vietnam and China—from ancient cultural exchanges and Chinese imperial rule to modern-day diplomatic tensions. Using maps, artifacts, and historical timelines, she unpacks how conquest, resistance, tribute diplomacy, language, and war have shaped the evolving relationship between the two nations.

This concise and insightful presentation by Professor Duncan McCargo highlights ten essential things to know about Vietnam today. Moving beyond war-time imagery, the talk explores Vietnam’s dynamic economy, effective public services, political system, regional diversity, and complex foreign relations—especially with China and the United States. It also touches on issues like urban traffic, the Vietnamese diaspora, and Vietnam’s growing role in Southeast Asia. Whether you're a student, educator, or simply curious, this talk offers a fresh, balanced perspective on a rapidly changing country.

This mini-lecture introduces the importance of studying Vietnam as a rapidly emerging country with growing global relevance. The speaker highlights how Vietnam, often overlooked in mainstream academic and geopolitical discussions, offers a rich case for understanding contemporary transformations in Asia. The lecture emphasizes Vietnam’s dynamic economic development, its strategic position in regional and global networks, and the ways its historical experiences, such as colonialism, war, and reform, shape its present trajectory. It also underscores the interdisciplinary value of Vietnam Studies, spanning history, politics, culture, and language. Overall, the talk positions Vietnam as a critical site for examining broader questions about development, globalization, and cultural resilience in the 21st century.