DIỄN NGÔN VỀ BẢN SẮC ĐÔ THỊ SÀI GÒN TRONG KÝ THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH 25 NĂM ĐẦU THẾ KỶ XXI

Abstract

This article focuses on exploring the process of constructing Saigon’s urban identity through the lens of discourse in Ho Chi Minh City's ký during the first quarter of the 21st century. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s theoretical framework, the study decodes how these works operate as a discursive system that interprets reality and shapes place identity. Research findings indicate a profound transformation between nostalgic architectural heritage and modern landscapes, the pivotal role of community space networks, and the emergence of “non-places”. Regarding the human dimension, the discourses within these memoirs have constructed an open identity based on the fusion of traditional chivalrous spirit and Southern pragmatic thinking. Consequently, they both celebrate the power of community transformation through humanistic values and dissect the cultural dislocations within industrial society. The article demonstrates that literary memoirs do not only fulfill the mission of heritage preservation but also establish a firm identity anchor, helping urban subjects position themselves with resilience and humanity in a volatile era of modernization.