Balancing Feudal Legacies and Socialist Aspirations

This study examines the enduring influence of Confucian ethics on Vietnam's new morality, shaped by revolutionary and socialist ideals. Confucianism, with its emphasis on moral values, social harmony, and hierarchical relationships, provided the foundation for Vietnam's traditional morality during the feudal era. However, its remnants, including patriarchal structures and rigid hierarchies, present challenges to modern democratic and socialist aspirations. Employing a qualitative research design, this study analyzes primary texts, including Confucian classics and Hồ Chí Minh's writings, alongside secondary academic sources. Through thematic content analysis, the research explores the interplay between traditional Confucian values and modern ethical constructs, highlighting their dual role as both a moral cornerstone and a potential barrier to progress. The findings underscore that while Confucian ethics offer valuable guidance for governance, education, and societal cohesion, their feudal origins must be critically reevaluated to align with contemporary goals of equality and social justice. The study concludes by proposing strategies to retain the strengths of Confucian ethics while addressing their limitations, demonstrating how Vietnam can integrate its cultural heritage with revolutionary and modern principles to build a harmonious and progressive society

Economic system · Economics · Feudalism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Chinese history and philosophy · Communism, Protests, Social Movements · Gender Studies · Law · Vietnamese History and Culture Studies

• Confucian Educational Thought and Its Relevance to Contemporary Vietnamese Education

  Open Access•Phuong Thi Nguyen, Khoa Ngoc Vo Nguyen et al.•Philosophies•2025

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