The Institute of Social Sciences Information: 50 years of Establishment and Development (May 8, 1975 - May 8, 2025) (02/05/2025)

Since its establishment (May 8, 1975), over 50 years of development, the activities of the Institute of Social Sciences Information have always adhered to two basic functions: scientific research and information, and library. On that basis, the Institute has continuously progressed in its researchand innovation, among which are various types of scientific information and library information publications, the expansion of domestic and international partnerships, improved capacity of scientific research and information, as well as the modernization of the Social Sciences Library that has increasingly met the needs of information users. To realize its unique role and position as a specific scientific information organization and central library in the library system of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Institute needs to continue to improve the capacity, effectiveness and efficiency of the apparatus, enhance professionalism in each activity and job position, while requiring appropriate attention and investment from the State and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences in the context of promoting digital transformation and the requirement to modernize the library system.
Author: Vu Hung Cuong

About the Social Sciences Information Review (02/05/2025)

The Institute of Social Sciences Information was established exactly 50 years ago, in 1975. The Social Sciences Information Review, as its academic publication, has also nearly 50 years of existence. Throughout the years, it has become a well-recognized forum for all works in the social sciences and humanities of Vietnam, broad or narrow, specialized or interdisciplinary, quantitative research or qualitative research. Most authors who have been notable in the social sciences have contributed their research articles to the Journal. Over the past decades, the Social Sciences Information Review has always firmly implemented the principles and purposes of journalism, the policies of the Party and the State, closely following the reality of social science life at home and abroad, and thus has provided readers with rich and in-depth information, including sensitive information, as a basis for reflection and action.
Author: Ho Si Quy

Reading Thomas L. Friedman’s The World is Flat: Thinking About Innovation and Innovative Thinking (02/05/2025)

The article consists of two main parts. The first part analyzes the flattening process and the ten factors that flatten the world, summarizing some of the main contents in the book “The World is Flat. A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century” by Thomas L. Friedman such as: how the globalized world today “becomes flat” due to the power of technology through ten flattening factors; how the flat world affects global social life; how institutions from countries to companies must change to survive and develop in the globalized world of the 21st century. The second part deals with the issue of innovation in two forms: “broad-scale innovation” towards export, opening up to international integration, and “in-depth innovation” in institutions, human resources, and infrastructure. Vietnam over the past 40 years can be understood as having gone through both broad-scale and in-depth innovation.
Author: Lai Van Toan

Modernizing the Library System of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences According to the Central-member Library Model (02/05/2025)

The library system of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences is famous for its rich collection of documents, which is a place to provide information for basic and interdisciplinary research activities in social sciences, training, and dissemination of research results of all agencies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. The article highlights the role of the Social Sciences Library (managed by the Institute of Social Sciences Information) in the process of building a library system under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences according to the central-member library model and the construction and integration of a shared database operating uniformly according to international library standards to modernize library operations and enhance the dissemination of information and knowledge to a wide range of researchers and information users.
Author: Le Hai Dang

The Role of Social Science Information in International Publication and Policy Recommendations (02/05/2025)

This article analyzes the pivotal role of social science information in identifying social issues, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and promoting social participation. It highlights the strategic significance of international publication in the social sciences and humanities. The author shares practical experiences in information retrieval, academic mindset building, and the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to enhance international publication quality. Based on this, the paper proposes policy recommendations for the digitalization of Vietnam’s social science information systems to support academic development and sustainable policy planning.
Author: Tran Thi Minh Thi

50 Years of Scientific Research and Information at the Institute of Social Sciences Information and Ways to Improve Quality (02/05/2025)

The Institute of Social Sciences Information, among others, is the unit that has function in researching, collecting and providing scientific information to serve research, training and policy making in Vietnam. While its 50-year of operation has left several remarable legacies, it has faced big challenges in the digital age and international integration. The article presents the role of scientific research and information activities; the Institute’s development history with some outstanding scientific research and information achievements in 50 years (from 1975 to 2025); the remaining difficulties and limitations; and proposes some solutions to improve the quality of operations in the coming time.
Author: Truong Thi Thu Trang, Pham Linh Chi

The Process of Building, Developing and Managing a Shared Database in the Library System of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (02/05/2025)

The paper presents the strong transformation process of the library system of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, from traditional libraries with small, separate databases to a central-member electronic library system with a common search database of up to nearly 1,400,000 records with a separate public online data search portal on the Internet (https://opac.vass.gov.vn). Thereby, it highlights the central role and professional leadership capacity of the Social Sciences Library as well as its difficulties, challenges and achievements in this process.
Author: Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga