歷史的研究奠基於理論、方法與資料。書寫歷史不是對過去的再現，而是對過去的組織和理解。無論東西方，資料的載體可以分成易損毀的與不易損毀兩種。由於材質的不同，使得記載的性質與內容也產生極大的不同。中國的金石記載方式影響到周邊的國家與民族，如朝鮮、日本與越南也有大量的漢式銘刻。其中越南因為長期的戰亂，其漢式銘刻資料尚未有系統性的研究。本文簡述越南銘刻的歷史發展及現存銘刻之研究情況，並將越南銘刻所呈現的漢越型文化特徵，及如何運用具有漢越型文化特徵之越南銘刻進行越南歷史研究。越南漢式銘刻明顯具有北方與南方的差異，絕大部分的銘刻(95％)出現在與中國大陸大西南地區相連的北方，反映著越南北方明顯的漢越型文化特色，對於研究越南本身歷史的發展，地區文化的內涵以及與中國之間的相互涵融關係，都具有非常重要的價值。南部地區漢式銘刻資料雖然僅佔漢文銘刻的5％，但是由於時代趨近於近現代，正可以與地理大發現之後，世界進入資本主義殖民時代連結。這些銘刻資料，不僅可以探討華僑、華人的移民過程，生活型態，更可以與世界歷史如苦力貿易結合，使越南銘刻可以突破僅為越南本地區、或僅能延展至與中國相互關係的界限，將越南銘刻的價值向上提昇。

The study of history rests on theory, method, and evidence. Written and material records form the bases of both the eastern and western historical tradition. The differences in media also made the records themselves differ in terms of genre and content. The Chinese epigraphic habit influenced neighboring countries and peoples. Korea, Japan and Vietnam have significant quantities of Chinese inscription. Vietnam has not conducted systematic study on its Chinese inscription due to constant war. This paper describes the historical development and the current state of research for Vietnamese epigraphy, and discusses the traits of a Han-Viet culture that is manifest on inscriptions. Finally, this paper discusses how to employ inscriptions with Han-Viet cultural traits for the purpose of studying Vietnamese History. Han-type inscriptions in southern Vietnam only comprises of 5% of total Chinese inscriptions, but their era lies in the pre-modern period, and can be studied in the context of the Age of Discovery and later the colonial period. These inscriptions can be used to discuss the Chinese diaspora and Chinese migration. Lifestyle of the Chinese diaspora, as well as how it is correlated with the coolie trade in world history, are questions that can be asked by employing Vietnam epigraphy. In turn, Vietnamese epigraphy will not only be restricted to local or regional significance.