CONTRIBUTION OF LE THO XUAN IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH OF THE SOUTHERN REGION DURING THE NGUYEN DYNASTY IN 19TH CENTURY

Abstract

Le Tho Xuan (1904 - 1978) is a prominent researcher in the Southern region in the field of Nguyen Dynasty. The article aims to find out his contributions in the historical research of the Southern region during the Nguyen dynasty on three aspects: methodology, history data and history debate. In terms of research methods, he combined traditional historical method and modern positivist method, studied history on geographical basis, and combined historical research with field surveys and micro research. Regarding the history data, he collected, discovered and rediscovered many important documents, and at the same time criticized and corrected some of the facts that were used, misinterpreted and misunderstood. In terms of history debate, on the solid basis of methods and historical data, he made highly convincing assessments and judgments, clarifying many historical issues of the Southern region in the nineteenth century.