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Ku Boon Dar presents his study on “Sino-Vietnamese during the Tay Son Rebellion 1771-1802” at a seminar in Singapore. Photo T.T.L |
The Tay Son dynasty is a historical period with many changes causing controversial issues among Vietnamese historians. This is also an interesting theme for researchers.
Although he hasn’t been to Vietnam, Ku Boon Dar, a history Ph.D student of Malaya University, decided to carry out a study on “Sino-Vietnamese during the Tay Son Rebellion 1771-1802”.
Knowing him in a short-term course in Singapore, I was impressed by his appearance and enthusiasm for Vietnam’s history.
When seeing some Vietnamese people in the class, he was very happy and tried to learn Vietnamese and Vietnam’s culture from us. We really admired him for his knowledge of Vietnam’s history as well as Tay Son dynasty.
After meeting Ku Boon Dar, Tran Thang Long, who was born in Binh Dinh, wrote about him on his blog: “Knowing him by chance at a seminar in Singapore, I felt surprised and emotive. He is a Malaysian man but did a study on a Vietnamese hero, King Quang Trung. I told him that I was born in Binh Dinh and, on behalf of Binh Dinh people, thanked him for what he has done. It is very difficult for him to do a research in a different language. However, he has had many articles on the Tay Son dynasty presented at international seminars and published on some magazines. Actually, when he was presenting his study, I wanted to help him to some extent, but he knows much more than I, a person of the land of martial arts…”
When being asked about his study, he said that Vietnam’s history hasn’t been studied widely. This is an interesting but difficult issue.
He was concerned of Vietnam’s history as well as Tay Son dynasty when he was an MA student. At that time, he knew some about Vietnam’s history with the help of Dr. Danny Wong Tze Ken.
Doing the research, Ku wanted to study the historical background of Tay Son dynasty (1771-1802) through diplomatic relations.
The Chinese Qing dynasty has a close relationship with Vietnam’s dynasty, particularly Tay Son, affecting changes in Vietnam’s history.
Unlike other studies mainly focusing on the farmers’ uprising, Ku’s study is about the role of Vietnam in doing business with China.
His study particularly analyzed the effect of the business relationship on Vietnam’s social structure at that period.
The study provides new insights into the political relationship between King Quang Trung and the Chinese Qing dynasty.
With new methods, Ku Boon Dar hoped that his study will offer a deeper understanding of the Sino-Vietnamese during the Tay Son Rebellion.
Before coming to Vietnam, he had found references in English, particularly Chinese. Not pleased with what he had found at two libraries in Singapore and Malaysia, Ku Boon Dar has come to Vietnam to find more about Vietnam’s history.
He came to Vietnam in September and he is returning to Vietnam in early December. During three weeks in Vietnam, Ku Boon Dar plans to attend an international seminar on Vietnam.
More importantly, he hoped that he will be able to visit Binh Dinh, the King Quang Trung’s birth place.
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