Vietnam Center and the "Blood Transfusion" of a Historical Academic Forum

By Triều Giang

From April 10 to 12, 2025, the Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, hosted its largest-ever annual Vietnam War conference, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the war's end. The event attracted significant attention from scholars, U.S. veterans, and the Vietnamese diaspora, featuring nearly 180 speakers and over 100 diverse presentations. This year's conference was notable not just for its scale but also for its transformative shift: a forum once criticized for leftist leanings is now undergoing a "blood transfusion"—revamping its speaker lineup, content, and historical orientation. A key highlight was the candid acknowledgment of a long-avoided truth: the Republic of Vietnam was abandoned, and the U.S. withdrawal directly led to South Vietnam's collapse in 1975.

The Vietnam Center's Ups and Downs

Established in 1989 by Dr. James Reckner, a Vietnam War veteran and professor at Texas Tech, the Vietnam Center aimed to collect and preserve Vietnam War documents. Beyond archiving, it served as a platform for scholarly dialogue among veterans, academics, and both war supporters and opponents. However, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Center faced criticism and boycotts—even from its founding veterans—for perceived leftist biases, sympathy toward anti-war factions, condemnation of South Vietnam's defense efforts, and lack of representation for the Republic of Vietnam and refugee communities.vietnam.ttu.edu

A "Blood Transfusion" from the Youth and Vietnamese-American Community

In the past decade, the emergence of young Vietnamese-American scholars like Professors Tường Vũ, Nữ Anh Trần, Tuấn Hoàng, Dr. Trịnh Lưu, and notably Dr. Alex-Thái D. Võ—now a professor and researcher at the Vietnam Center—has revitalized the forum. These dedicated academics focus on the Republic of Vietnam, refugee life, and post-war issues with a humanistic and honest perspective, moving away from outdated political narratives. This year, the U.S.-Vietnam Research Center at the University of Oregon sent a strong delegation, signaling a commitment to reshaping the academic discourse on Vietnam War history.

Additionally, members of the Hưng Ca Việt Nam Movement made a memorable debut, delivering courageous presentations and performing historical protest songs. Their contributions brought not only music but also the spirit of resistance and a yearning for freedom, deeply resonating with the audience.

The Return of Honest Voices

Another highlight was the return of scholars and figures who had previously boycotted the Vietnam Center, such as Professor Robert F. Turner (former White House and U.S. Congress staffer during the Vietnam War), former Navy advisor Richard Armitage, and Steve Sherman, co-founder of Vietnam Veterans for Factual History (VVFH). They returned not just to speak but to support a forum striving to restore objectivity, balance, and, importantly, to give voice to a side long neglected in American historiography: the Republic of Vietnam.

In his speech, Steve Sherman emphasized, "We cannot let those who sacrificed, loyal allies, and the people who fled their country be erased from collective memory. Truth should not be politicized."

A New Challenge: Hosting the Conference in Vietnam?

Despite positive changes, concerns remain. The Vietnam Center's director announced plans to hold the 2026 conference in Vietnam, sparking debate. When asked, Professor Tường Vũ responded, "I'm not sure how many Americans and overseas Vietnamese can attend, as most must self-fund unless they're keynote speakers. Moreover, can speakers speak freely in Vietnam's current environment, or will they fear security and censorship issues?"

This reflects a common concern: Can a Vietnam War conference truly be objective when held in a country where academic freedom is still a foreign concept?

A Long Journey Ahead, But Not Alone

From its early days as a left-leaning forum, the Vietnam Center has shown significant transformation. This marks a substantial moral victory for the Republic of Vietnam community and refugees who have tirelessly fought to preserve historical truth.

However, the struggle continues. Anti-war and leftist narratives, along with communist propaganda, remain active. We need more courageous scholars, responsible Vietnamese-American communities, and public forums to recount distorted histories.

Today's "blood-transfused" Vietnam Center must continue to be "nourished"—through community support, new generations, and those unwilling to let history be written by the victors alone.

NGƯỜI VIỆT

Triều Giang

April 2025