Hue hosts 21st Congress of Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association

The six-day congress will continue until September 28, with several separate topic meetings as well as visits to relics built by the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) in Hue.

IPPA Secretary-General Ian Lilley said the congress would be a chance for archeologists around the world to gain a deeper understanding of the progress of archeology in the Indo-Pacific region.

Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre and a co-organiser of the congress, said the congress would feature different archeology topics, with a focus on the new findings made in the area over recent years.

“Discussion on new theories as well as the application of high technology for the job will be facilitated in the congress meetings,” he said.

According to Nguyen Giang Hai, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Archeology, Vietnam would announce new findings from the pre-Epipaleolithic era found at sites in the country’s Central Highlands region.

Pham Van Duc, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Social Sciences, said the congress would discuss the benefits of archeological studies for the whole community.

“Archeology has grown from studying the basics to getting involved with social issues. The growth is expected to benefit community life in light of heritage conservation, culture, education as well as connecting people from different regions and races,” he said.

Local researchers expect that hosting the congress would allow international researchers to get closer to the history of the land, where pre-historic relics were found and announced by late researcher Ho Tan Phan.

Phan used to nurture the recognition among the global archeological community of pre-historic developments around Thua Thien-Hue as well as in eras before the settlement of the Champa and Vietnamese people since 1558.