Integrating Theory with Practice in History Education: Insights from the Application of Ho Chi Minh’s Thought in Lower Secondary Schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

In recent years, history education in Vietnam has received increasing attention, particularly in the context of the 2018 General Education Curriculum reform. At the heart of this transformation lies Ho Chi Minh’s enduring educational principle: “learning must go hand in hand with practice, and theory must be linked to reality.” This study explores how that principle has been applied in lower secondary history instruction in Ho Chi Minh City. Through case studies conducted at selected lower secondary schools in District 1, this study investigates pedagogical strategies, including off-site history instruction at museums and heritage sites, the development of interdisciplinary History–Geography modules, and the implementation of community-based experiential learning projects. These pedagogical approaches have significantly enhanced student engagement, fostered critical thinking skills, and cultivated a deeper sense of historical consciousness among learners. The findings demonstrate that Ho Chi Minh’s thought aligns closely with the goals of the current curriculum reform, which emphasizes competency development, subject integration, and experiential learning. Moreover, the application of his educational philosophy contributes not only to improved learning outcomes but also to the formation of active, knowledgeable, and culturally grounded citizens. The study concludes with recommendations for promoting contextually relevant and practice-oriented history education in Vietnam’s rapidly changing educational landscape.