Perception of Western Civilization in Early 20th-century Vietnam: The Case of Huynh Thuc Khang (1876-1947)

This article examines the perception and selective acculturation of Western civilization in early 20th-century Vietnam, the case of Huynh Thuc Khang (1876–1947)—a typical indigenous intellectual. Utilizing a qualitative methodology grounded in content analysis of Huynh Thuc Khang’s writings—particularly his editorials in Tieng Dan—the study investigates the evolving attitudes toward Western values within the broader context of East-West cultural contact. It highlights how Huynh Thuc Khang, as an elite indigenous intellectual, moved beyond simplistic dichotomies of “spiritual East” and “material West” to advocate for a critical, dynamic, and contextually relevant engagement with Western advancements in science, technology, and social organization. The findings show that his selective adoption was characterized by the integration of endogenous (native) and exogenous (foreign) factors, with a strong emphasis on preserving national identity while promoting sustainable development. The study concludes that Huynh Thuc Khang’s case exemplifies the active and conscious role of intellectuals in mediating cultural transformation, offering enduring lessons for contemporary debates on globalization, modernization, and identity.