The construction of images of "Vietnam" in contemporary Thai writings

Abstract

This dissertation aims to examine the images of Vietnam portrayed in contemporary Thai writings (1990s-2015) and to analyse the construction of such images. Document research, textual analysis and interview reveal three outstanding images of Vietnam: (1) “Vietnam is a country of wars”, which is initially constructed from old impressions about the Vietnam War of the Thai writers then are soon replaced by their first-hand experience in Vietnam with new aspects of the serious consequences of the wars as well as post-war struggles. (2) Next, Vietnam is in transition to modernity and integration, which is represented by the romanticised traditionality that has difficulty finding a stance in a globalised world, and on the other hand, the active, rapid process of economic development, socio-cultural changes, adjustment of views and policies. (3) Last, Vietnamese people are fighters that can keep their spirit strong both in the wartime and in the present. Compared with previous periods of time, the contemporary images of Vietnam are no longer affected by the nationalist mindset of the Early Rattanakosin Era and the Cold War Era. Within the contemporary period, the images also have dynamics as a result of a number of factors including the new context of eased atmosphere and warm relations since the early 1990s, the participation of more varied stakeholders in the image construction, and the first-hand experience and the sources of data the Thai writers get during their travels. In general, contemporary Thai writings bring a better understanding of Vietnam and Vietnamese people, as well as reveal Thai perspectives on Vietnam and their own country.