Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung: The nuances of creativity

Professor Do Quang Hung made significant contributions to the development of academic subjects and disciplines in Vietnam. He taught Modern Vietnamese History to students in the Faculty of History for a considerable period. When the country entered the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, he quickly developed the subject of East-West Cultural Contact in Modern Vietnam to equip students with cultural knowledge for proactive international integration. Professor Tran Quoc Vuong and several other professors, including him, established the Department of Vietnamese Cultural History (now Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History), within the Faculty of History. He was one of the three founders of the Faculty of Journalism and served as the Head of the Department of Journalism History for 10 years. Recognizing the complexities of religion, he actively developed the field of Vietnamese Religious Studies. He was one of the founders of the Vietnam Institute of Religion and served as its Director for 10 years. In recent years, he has been contributing to the development of the field of Political Science, and is currently the Head of the Department of International Politics, Faculty of Political Science. His dynamism, creativity, and pioneering spirit in developing new subjects, disciplines, training units, and research centers stem from his sensitivity to innovation and, especially, from the practical demands of the country. He always prioritizes the ideology of...Learning by doing, practical work.in education and training.

Professor, Doctor Do Quang Hung

Professor Do Quang Hung cannot remember how many students and graduate students he has supervised in their dissertations and theses. He has supervised 23 domestic and international research projects (two-thirds of which were supervised independently), successfully defending doctoral dissertations in various fields such as Vietnamese History, Cultural History, Journalism History, Religious Studies, Political Science, etc. What is particularly noteworthy is that regardless of the research approach or creative style he guides his students and graduate students in, his historical thinking and historical essence are always prominently present in the content of their dissertations and theses.

His students admired his polite and refined manners, his refined and dignified demeanor befitting the people of Thang An (Hanoi). He lectured with a gentle voice, reflecting the character and soul of a Hanoi resident. He didn't teach by rote memorization, but rather guided his students towards new issues, new trends, new theories, and methods for conducting scientific research. He ignited a passion for science, unleashing the potential and creative spirit of his students through each lecture. The knowledge his students acquired from him was diverse and abundant, encompassing the history of the resistance, ideology, politics, culture, religion, and society.

Although he started out in history, Professor Do Quang Hung's research extends beyond history, branching out into other fields. In every area, he has left a profound scientific mark. His solid historical knowledge serves as a foundation for his development and creativity in other scientific disciplines. Readers recognize the historical depth and richness in each of his scientific works. From his own mother river, he knows how to inspire other rivers of knowledge to flow.

Professor Do Quang Hung studied Vietnamese history, but specialized in modern history. He was one of the early researchers of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. In addition, he was interested in researching other historical issues such as ideology, culture, intellectuals, and workers. He was the first historian to access documents on the Communist International in archives in France and the Soviet Union. He successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in history on this topic.The strategies and tactics of the Communist International in the Vietnamese revolutionary movement 1919-1945in the Soviet Union. In addition to numerous research papers published in domestic and international scientific journals and magazines, he published a series of books related to modern Vietnamese history such asRed Union,Further insights into Ho Chi Minh,Ho Chi Minh and the working class and trade unions(editor-in-chief)History of Christianity in Vietnam,History of journalism(editor-in-chief)Publishing history(editor-in-chief)Modernity and the transformation of modern Vietnamese culture.(Editor-in-chief)

Professor Do Quang Hung has achieved many outstanding research accomplishments in religion. In addition to numerous research papers published in domestic and international scientific journals, he has published many books on religion. One of his most notable achievements in religious research is his trilogy of books:1. The religious issue in the Vietnamese revolution: theory and practice;2. Religious policy and the rule of law;3. The State, Religion, and LawThis trilogy of books, totaling over 1,500 pages, summarizes theoretical issues of religious understanding and religious policy. Among them is the book...Religious policy and the rule of lawIt bears the strong imprint of historiography, the history of thought, and epistemology on religion, as well as the religious views of leaders such as Ho Chi Minh and Le Duan. In addition, there are several other very valuable religious books such as...The relationship between the State, the Church, and the rule of law.;Study of religious figures and events;A comparative study of religious life in France and Vietnam.(Editor-in-chief, bilingual book);Ho Chi Minh and the National and Religious Issues;Religion and some religious issues in Southern Vietnam;Catholicism in my eyes;Dao Duy Anh and Nguyen Van Nguyen on religion;…

The overall theme in Professor Do Quang Hung's religious studies encompasses three main areas: Firstly, research on fundamental theories, primarily religion and politics (a trilogy of books). Secondly, modern religious issues and theories of religious studies. Thirdly, specific issues concerning Vietnamese religion, particularly Catholicism, Protestantism, and Buddhism.

Professor Do Quang Hung actively participates in many social activities. He is a member of the Central Theoretical Council; a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (Chairman of the Advisory Council on Religion); a member of the National Heritage Council; a member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Historical Association… Through these organizations, he has contributed many important scientific voices in the development of national policies in politics, culture, ideology, and religion. He participated in the development ofOrdinance on Religion and Beliefs2004,Decree on Protestantism(Directive 01 - 2005).

In the context of deep international integration, he proactively built international scientific cooperation relationships. The State, Religion, and Rule of Law program he designed and developed over the years has yielded practical results. This program has been implemented in several universities in Europe and the United States. He laid the foundation for religious law in Vietnam. He proactively invited reputable international religious scholars to Vietnam to share their knowledge of international religious studies, while also helping them to better and more objectively understand the reality of religion in Vietnam. Through teaching activities and scientific conferences, he established a channel for religious information between Vietnam and many countries around the world, with the aim of helping the world understand religion and religious policies in Vietnam correctly.

Continuing the religious awareness exchange program between the US and Vietnam established in 2013, in May 2015, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, collaborated with BYU (USA) and the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) to organize a conference.The Rule of Law and Religion: A Comparative Study of Religious Law in Vietnam and the United StatesIn Washington DC, besides scientists, the conference was attended by representatives from the Vietnamese National Assembly, the Vietnam Buddhist Association, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Vietnamese Embassy in the US. The success of this conference is closely linked to his role in connecting and organizing. His proactive efforts in establishing religious relations with the US contributed to strengthening mutual understanding between the two countries regarding the religious situation in each other's countries. He persistently fought with the US on religious and human rights issues, and advocated for Vietnam to be removed from the list of countries of particular concern regarding religious freedom (CPC).

A short article cannot fully convey Professor Do Quang Hung's contributions to education and scientific research. His creativity is immense, his writing ability is prolific, and his desire to contribute to the country is fervent. He wants to dedicate his time to passing on his knowledge to young researchers; to train, guide, and support them on their path of scientific innovation. He also wants to dedicate his time to transforming his cherished scientific ideas into tangible scientific works that serve society. Drawing inspiration from the nation's historical heritage, he has sparked diverse and innovative scientific approaches.