Sexuality, a sensitive topic in Vietnamese society, was for the first time the theme of a national conference which ended in Hanoi on Nov. 9.
The two-day national symposium titled "Negotiating sexualities in moving spaces" marked crucial progress in the research of sexuality in Vietnam, said Dr Le Bach Duong, director of the Institute for Social Development Studies.
"The conference recognised recent research conducted by scientists and social activists in Vietnam affirming the importance of sexuality, a sensitive and controversial topic in our society," he said.
Although sexuality is increasingly discussed in seminars and conferences across the country, it remains a secondary topic that doesn't receive the attention it warrants.
However, this was put right at the conference with discussions focusing on the diversity of sexuality, sexuality of minority groups, sexual violence, sex on the internet, and the right to choose one's sexuality.
The conference, coorganised by the Institute for Social Development Studies and the Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population, aimed to create a forum for researchers, teachers and campaigners to share their concerns and network with each other.
The event, which drew more than 120 participants from across the country, was also expected to encourage open and straightforward narrative throughout society about sexuality and sexual health, promote gender equality and improve the lives of Vietnamese people.
Dr Khuat Thu Hong, deputy director of the Institute for Social Development Studies, said changes have been noticed over the last two decades, starting in 1990 when sexuality first became an academic topic in Viet Nam.
"Sexuality used to be discussed only in terms of health or family planning but is now considered from a perspective of happiness," she said.
Research on sexuality in Vietnam, which used to be seen as legal only if conducted to tackle so-called "social evils", provides an indispensable insight into basic human rights, said Hong.
Heterosexuality used to be regarded as the only form of sexuality, but now research in the area is concentrated on proving that homosexuality and other types of sexuality are paralleling spaces and have a right to exist, she said./.
The two-day national symposium titled "Negotiating sexualities in moving spaces" marked crucial progress in the research of sexuality in Vietnam, said Dr Le Bach Duong, director of the Institute for Social Development Studies.
"The conference recognised recent research conducted by scientists and social activists in Vietnam affirming the importance of sexuality, a sensitive and controversial topic in our society," he said.
Although sexuality is increasingly discussed in seminars and conferences across the country, it remains a secondary topic that doesn't receive the attention it warrants.
However, this was put right at the conference with discussions focusing on the diversity of sexuality, sexuality of minority groups, sexual violence, sex on the internet, and the right to choose one's sexuality.
The conference, coorganised by the Institute for Social Development Studies and the Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population, aimed to create a forum for researchers, teachers and campaigners to share their concerns and network with each other.
The event, which drew more than 120 participants from across the country, was also expected to encourage open and straightforward narrative throughout society about sexuality and sexual health, promote gender equality and improve the lives of Vietnamese people.
Dr Khuat Thu Hong, deputy director of the Institute for Social Development Studies, said changes have been noticed over the last two decades, starting in 1990 when sexuality first became an academic topic in Viet Nam.
"Sexuality used to be discussed only in terms of health or family planning but is now considered from a perspective of happiness," she said.
Research on sexuality in Vietnam, which used to be seen as legal only if conducted to tackle so-called "social evils", provides an indispensable insight into basic human rights, said Hong.
Heterosexuality used to be regarded as the only form of sexuality, but now research in the area is concentrated on proving that homosexuality and other types of sexuality are paralleling spaces and have a right to exist, she said./.
