The number of ISI articles in 2010-2015

One of the requirements is that candidates must have certain numbers for ISI/Scopus articles. The requirement is applied to candidates in natural and social sciences.

According to Dr Tran Trong Duong from the Institute of Han-Nom Studies (Han is classical Chinese used in Vietnam and Nom is vernacular logographic Vietnamese script), there are two serious problems.

First, MOET (the Ministry of Education and Training) applies the same requirements for both scientists in natural and in social sciences. While the numbers of ISI/Scopus articles are used to measure the qualifications of scientists in natural sciences, in social sciences, only two basic indexes, ISSN, or International Standard Serial Number (for scientific articles on journals) and ISBN, or International Standard Book Number (for scientific publications in the mode of book).

Second, MOET applies European-US standards (English standard system). Meanwhile, scientific publications are pluralistic, multilateral and multilingual. In other words, Vietnam has many scientific publications in other languages such as Russian, Japanese, French, German and Chinese.

Duong went on to say that in order to prevent wrongdoings in international publications, MOET needs to declare the names of ‘phony’ journals and publishing houses. By doing this, Vietnam will be able to prevent the ‘cheating in commerce’ in the domain of learning.

Replying to opinions that social sciences have their typical difficulties with international publications, Pham Quang Minh, rector of the Hanoi National University of Social Sciences and Humanity, said that it is not too difficult to have scientific research works internationally published.

The reality in Vietnam, with interesting issues in different fields from political, economic, social, cultural and national defense, provide diverse topics for studying. 

Vietnam can be compared with a "new horizon", a "fertile ground", and a "living museum" for researchers to carry out their ideas. This explains why many foreign researchers show great interest in Vietnam. 

Since the doi moi (renovation) and the cold war ended, the cooperation and exchange between Vietnam and other countries in the world has increased. More and more international scientists come to Vietnam to conduct research, while Vietnamese scientists cooperate with foreign researchers.

Some analysts said the research subjects in social sciences are ‘delicate’. However, Minh believes the argument is unreasonable. As for ISI and Scopus, the quality is the most important factor to consider and decide whether to publish articles. 

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Le Ha