INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name: Bui Thi Bich Ngoc              2. Sex: Female
3. Date of birth: 26/06/1989                       4. Place of birth: Hoa Binh Province
5. Admission decision number: 4618/QĐ-SĐH                Dated: 29/12/2016
6. Changes in academic process:
- Decision: On adjusting the doctoral dissertation topic of the doctoral candidate. Number 579/QD-XHNV. Dated March 9, 2018.
- Decision: Regarding the expulsion from studies and return of the doctoral candidate to their local area/working institution. Number 98/QD-XHNV-DT. Dated January 12, 2022.
7. Official thesis title: The Southwest Frontier Zone Management Organization during the Nguyen Dynasty, 1802 - 1858.
8. Major: Vietnamese History                   9. Code: 62.22.03.13
10. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Vu Van Quan
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
This thesis examines the characteristics of the Southwest frontier zone during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1858), focusing on its natural conditions, population, and social structure in the first half of the 19th century. By analyzing 19th century sources, it demonstrates the significant influence of the environment on the governance of this region. Furthermore, the thesis synthesizes existing scholarship to evaluate the achievements and identify gaps in research on the organization and management of the Southwest frontier zone. It delves into the administrative apparatus of the Nguyen Dynasty, providing a detailed analysis of its evolution from the Gia Long period to the Tu Duc period. Notably, the thesis clarifies the roles of the "Đạo" administrative units, their existence since the Nguyen Lords period, and their transformation under King Minh Mang. Additionally, it evaluates the significance of the "Chenla Protectorate" (Bảo hộ Chân Lạp) title during the early Nguyen Dynasty. Finally, the thesis describes the operation and transformation of the provincial administrative machinery in the Southwest frontier zone following the Minh Mang reforms.
The thesis elucidates the self-governance systems based on ethnic groups in the Southwest frontier zone during the first half of the 19th century. It examines the organizational structures of villages and hamlets of the Viet people, villages of the Khmer people, bangs and towns of the Chinese, and palei of the Cham. The thesis highlights not only the features of these systems but also their influence on the overall
The thesis analyzes the establishment and operation of Nguyen Dynasty management in the Southwest frontier zone during the first half of the 19th century. It investigates key activities such as establishing territorial sovereignty, setting up a military outpost system, implementing land management policies, collecting taxes, and regulating trade.
12. Practical applicability
The dissertation's research topic is practical in that it provides important insights and answers for contemporary tensions and challenges along the Southwest Border. Lessons from the Nguyen dynasty show that ethnic issues and ethnic group unification are always strategically important in ensuring national border security. Furthermore, relying primarily on military might cannot solve core border issues like territory, national security, and social stability.
13. Further research directions
- Management structures of ethnic communities and religious communities in the Southwest Border region in the 19th century.
- Environmental history of the Southwest Border region.
14. Thesis-related publications:
1. Bùi Thị Bích Ngọc, Nguyễn Huy Điệp (2020), Military activities in the Southwest Border region during the Gia Long era (1802-1820), Military History Magazine (Issue 348), pp.102-108.
2. Bùi Thị Bích Ngọc (2021), The “đạo” Unit in Administrative Management of Vietnam’s Southwestern Border from the Mid-18th to the Mid-19th Century, VNU Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Volume 7 (Issue 3), ISSN 2354-1172, pp.274-288.
3. Bùi Thị Bích Ngọc (2021), “Studying defense policies in the Southwest Border region during the Gia Long and Minh Mang eras (1802-1841)”, Proceedings of the Workshop on Culture in Sustainable Development of the Southwest Region: Current Situation and Solutions, Publisher: Ethnic Culture Publishing House, pp. 203-224.
4. Bui Thi Bich Ngoc, Nguyen Ky Nam (2021), “The Nguyen Dynasty’s response to natural hazards in the Mekong Delta in the first half of the 19th century (1802-1858)”, in The International conference on Contemporary Issues in Sustainable development, VJU, game đánh chắn online đổi thưởng , VNU, Hanoi, Vietnam, pp.127-134.
5. Bui Thi Bich Ngoc (2022), “Studying the Southwest border area in the early 19th century: From the environmental history perspective”, in The first international conference On the Issues of Social Sciences an Humaninies, game đánh chắn online đổi thưởng , Vietnam national university Press, Hanoi, ISBN: 978-604-9990-98-4, pp.360-382.
6. Bùi Thị Bích Ngọc, Hồ Thị Liên Hương (2022), “An Giang in the first half of the 19th century in relation to the natural environment”, Proceedings of the Conference on An Giang: 190 Years of Formation and Development (1832-2022), pp. 69-80.