Abstract: The study of Vietnamese maritime history in academia has undergone a paradigm shift from land-centered narratives to a focused maritime perspective. Early scholarship, influenced by traditional historiography and terrestrial viewpoints, long relegated maritime activities to the periphery. Since the late 20th century, spurred by the rise of global and regional history, scholars have increasingly recognized the sea as a vital analytical framework for understanding Vietnam's historical development. Consequently, research themes have evolved from questioning the mere “existence of maritime consciousness” to exploring multi-dimensional issues such as “maritime institutions and policies” and “cross-border trade networks”. The research focus has also expanded from intellectual and institutional history to analysis of transnational connections and cross-border networks, reflecting an interplay between paradigm evolution and engagement with real-world issues. A review of this scholarly trajectory reveals the mutual shaping of knowledge production, political context, and international academic trends.

Key words: Vietnam, maritime history, knowledge production, paradigmatic transformation