A history book about the Indochina Fine Arts School, now known as the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, has sparked controversy and led to its temporary halt in distribution. Titled "a hundred years, a hundred questions: 100 questions on the history of the Indochina Fine Arts School", the book was authored by Doctor Pham Long and Tran Hau Yen The, and co-published by The Gioi Publishing House and Omega Plus.

The publication, initially slated for release on 17/10, was intended to offer a comprehensive overview of the school's formation and development. However, on the morning of its planned launch, faculty and staff of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts submitted a complaint to the Department of Publication, Printing and Distribution and The Gioi Publishing House, alleging that the book contained inaccurate historical information about the institution.

The complaint specifically highlighted several inaccuracies concerning the establishment, development, operations, training programs, and faculty of the Indochina Fine Arts School, stating that these details "lack a clear academic basis". A core point of contention is the book's assertion that the Indochina Fine Arts School was directly affiliated with Indochina University. The complainants argued this claim is "completely wrong, leading to serious misunderstanding for readers" and noted that many passages in the book were written with subjective interpretations, presenting them as confirmed research findings.

Following receipt of the complaint, The Gioi Publishing House issued an official letter requesting Omega Plus to cease all promotional activities for the book. The publisher also instructed Omega Plus to collaborate with the two authors to clarify the allegations made by the Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

The publication contains 100 questions and 100 answers, focusing on the school's activities over 21 years (1924-1945). Photo: Omega +

In response on 21/11, Omega Plus clarified that the publication falls under the category of popular knowledge. It presents previously published research results, drawing upon primary and secondary sources, and targets a general audience. The publisher emphasized that it is not a specialized monograph with specific presentation requirements, thus addressing the complaint's assertion of "a complete lack of a bibliography at the end of the book".

Omega Plus outlined the timeline of the book's production, including signing the co-publishing contract with The Gioi Publishing House on 31/10 and submitting the legal deposit copy on 7/11. The company also confirmed its continuous collaboration throughout the editing process.

The official letter from Omega Plus stated: "In publishing activities, the existence of different viewpoints or interpretations regarding the same issue or event is normal and necessary to foster the development of knowledge." Therefore, works presenting diverse research findings, materials, and interpretations should be introduced to the public to encourage discussion and further inquiry.

Authors Pham Long and Tran Hau Yen The expressed their openness to academic viewpoints and their willingness to discuss and clarify professional content. However, they firmly rejected the request to halt the book's distribution.

The two authors identified the core issue requiring clarification: the Indochina Fine Arts School's position within the Indochina University system. They asserted that their research findings are based on primary source materials gathered from National Archives and original documents predating 1945.

As evidence, they cited a Rapport from the Acting Director of the Department of Education to the Governor-General of Indochina, which requested consideration and approval for the decree establishing the Indochina Fine Arts School. This document explicitly states: "The establishment of this school, within the Indochina University system."

Additionally, the two doctors presented other documents and reports, including the diploma of painter To Ngoc Van from the Indochina Fine Arts School. The decorative motifs on this diploma feature the four characters "Dong Phap Dai hoc" (Indochina University). Through this, Mr. Tran Hau Yen The and Pham Long affirmed that their determination of the direct affiliation between the Indochina Fine Arts School and Indochina University is grounded in legal regulations and reports from key figures involved in the school's founding, rather than subjective author interpretation.

Diploma of renowned painter To Ngoc Van, provided by his family to Mr. Tran Hau Yen The.

The authors also noted that their historical views are not new, having been legitimately published in previous research works in Vietnam, such as "fine arts and applied arts in Vietnam in the first half of the 20th century - from the perspective of art education" (2023). Regarding the book's presentation, the authors chose to include references in footnotes, with each answer accompanied by citations from primary and secondary sources.

Doctor Pham Xuan Thach, Chairman of the editorial board for the Interdisciplinary Science and Art journal at the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated that the book's conclusions, particularly those in questions 17 and 18 concerning the relationship between the Indochina Fine Arts School and Indochina University, are well-founded. He added that despite being a popular knowledge publication, the book demonstrates academic rigor, a concise and accessible writing style, and numerous elaborate illustrations. Doctor Thach believes that academic debates are not uncommon and reflect a diversity of academic viewpoints, but this should not be a reason to prevent the book's distribution.

Phuong Linh