Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh was born in 1955 in Hai Duong. Originally passionate about natural sciences and dreaming of becoming a doctor, fate led him to the Faculty of History at Hanoi University – a school with a long tradition of training and research, a place that has nurtured many generations of Vietnamese intellectuals.
After graduating from the Faculty of History in 1976 with outstanding academic achievements, he was retained as a lecturer and was sent by the university to pursue postgraduate studies in the Soviet Union. In 1990, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis in History. Returning to his alma mater, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh continued to work with his teachers and colleagues to build and develop the Department of Modern and Contemporary Vietnamese History, Faculty of History.
With his sharp intellect, management skills, and professional work style, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh has been entrusted with various management positions: Deputy Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Vietnamese History, Faculty of History (1990 - 1995); Deputy Head of the Faculty of History (1995 - 1999); Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (1999 - 2006); Secretary of the Party Committee (2003 - 2015); Rector (2006 - 2015); Director of the Institute of Policy and Management, Director of the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, etc.
Despite his extremely busy administrative duties, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh maintains his passion for scientific research, teaching, and guiding generations of students in academic activities, and possesses an exceptionally prolific writing ability. To date, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh has published (including co-authored works) over 20 books and nearly 100 articles in specialized journals in Vietnam as well as prestigious scientific journals abroad. His scientific works have become valuable reference materials not only for researchers in Vietnam but also for foreign scholars when studying socio-economic, cultural, and intellectual issues in Vietnam during the modern era.
Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh - a leading expert on modern and contemporary Vietnamese history.
Professor Nguyen Van Khanh rarely misses the scientific activities of the Department of Vietnamese History, Faculty of History; participates in compiling textbooks and lectures; enthusiastically guides and reviews theses, dissertations, and doctoral dissertations; and has been and is currently teaching many specialized courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Faculty. At the same time, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh is also a meticulous and serious scientist, an inspiration and a passion for national history for many generations of students.
His contributions to research and training have been honored by the State with prestigious titles: Associate Professor and Distinguished Teacher (both in 1996), Professor (2007), People's Teacher (2014), and National Emulation Fighter in 2015.
Head of the Personnel Department, Dao Duc Thuan, summarized some important milestones in Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh's more than 45 years of service at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
After nearly 45 years of service, Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh has retired according to the State's regulations. Speaking at the meeting, on behalf of the School's Board of Directors and many generations of students directly trained and guided by him, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, the School's Rector, emotionally shared: “First of all, on behalf of all staff, lecturers, and students of the School, I respectfully express our deepest gratitude to Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh for his immense contributions over the past 45 years. During his two terms as Rector, totaling 10 years, he left a profound impression as a serious, dedicated, exemplary, and creative leader, yet also very approachable. The successes of the School over the past half-century are due to his tireless contributions in all fields…”
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan shared this at the meeting and retirement ceremony for Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh.
After nearly half a century of dedication to science, to the University, and to the national education system, Professor has been granted retirement by the State. However, we, the generations of students continuing his legacy, sincerely hope that he will continue to support and collaborate with the University in professional matters and provide advice on management."
In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Quan - Head of the History Department - emotionally shared memories of a very kind, simple, and approachable teacher who was always dedicated to guiding and supporting his students. In his management work, despite his strict, meticulous, and decisive nature, he always found the most humane and thoughtful ways to handle tasks. Even though he was extremely busy holding the highest position at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, he always showed timely care and encouragement to the History Department, with sincere and warm affection. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of the History Department, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Quan expressed his deep gratitude for the immense contributions of Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh.
Associate Professor Vu Van Quan, Head of the History Department, expressed his deep gratitude for the immense contributions and warm affection that Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, People's Teacher, has shown to the History Department.
Professor Nguyen Van Khanh shared: “During my more than 45 years of service, I had several opportunities to transfer to other places, but in the end, I chose to remain at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities until today. For me, it was a stroke of luck. Because here, I spent my vibrant youth, passionate about science, and received dedicated guidance from leading masters and experts in the field of history in our country, such as Professor Dinh Xuan Lam, Professor Le Mau Han, Professor Tran Quoc Vuong, etc. To this day, I still keep the handwriting of the professors who directly corrected my first articles and scientific works at this university. To achieve some success in management and scientific research, besides my own tireless efforts, I always appreciate and am grateful for the guidance of my professors, the help of my colleagues, and the support of numerous departments, lecturers in the faculties/departments, offices, and centers under the Rectorate.” set.
Today, I am deeply moved to receive such beautiful bouquets of flowers, warm handshakes, sincere affection, and the full presence of my colleagues and generations of students. I hope and believe that the Board of Directors and all faculty, staff, and students of the University will always be united, work together, boldly innovate, and further promote creativity to build the University of Social Sciences and Humanities into an increasingly strong institution, affirming its position as a unit with a rich tradition and high scientific prestige not only domestically but also regionally and internationally; worthy of the hard work of previous generations who have diligently built it up.”
Speaking at the meeting, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh expressed his confidence that the younger generation of the University, building upon and developing the traditions, will further develop the University, affirming its leading position in the country and the region.
As a token of gratitude to the University and the Faculty of History, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh presented a meaningful gift to the University's Humanities Fund and the Faculty's Le Van Huu Fund.
Dr. Ngo Thi Kieu Oanh (Chairperson of the School's Trade Union) receives a gift from Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh.
Associate Professor Vu Van Quan (Head of the History Department) receives a gift from Professor Nguyen Van Khanh.
Farewell, but not distant. Goodbye, Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh. The entire faculty, students, and staff of the University wish you good health, much joy, and continued companionship with the University in the years to come.
Here are some photos of the Board of Directors, colleagues, generations of students, representatives from faculties, departments, and offices within the administrative block presenting Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh with beautiful bouquets of flowers as a token of gratitude!
