Doctor of two countries, Do Van Khang

In some of his theoretical works on aesthetics, he often signs his name as "Doctor of Two Countries, Do Van Khang." He further explains that of his two doctoral degrees, one is an Associate Doctorate converted to a Vietnamese Doctorate, and the other is a Doctor of Science from Russia. Someone affectionately suggested: "You should only keep one title, Doctor of Science. The 'two countries' thing seems outdated." He replied: "Why outdated? Today there's General Nguyen Son, and before there was the 'two countries' laureate Mac Dinh Chi. Although I am small, the truth is that to achieve that result, I used appropriate language. It's natural; many words sound strange at first but become familiar, like 'ward,' 'district,' 'drinking'... I only fear words containing fakes like 'paper doctorate' or 'wooden doctorate' - phenomena quite common nowadays."

The academic journey of Associate Professor and Doctor of Two Nations Do Van Khang was a difficult one. According to accounts, he came from a poor civil servant family in Hanoi. From a young age, Khang participated in neighborhood activities during the early revolutionary period. During the resistance, he moved with his family to Viet Bac and worked as a laborer at the To Hieu Printing House – a branch of the Tien Bo Printing House. There, Do Van Khang first met renowned writers he had long admired, such as Xuan Dieu, To Hoai, and Nguyen Hong. Once, I asked Xuan Dieu: “Mr. Khang – my professor in the department – ​​is asking about your health. Mr. Khang used to be a laborer at the To Hieu Printing House in Viet Bac, often printing literary books and newspapers, and I’ve met and talked with you many times.” Xuan Dieu shook his head slightly as if recalling and said, “Mr. Khang! Mr. Khang! I remember now, we used to call you the handsome young man… It’s been decades, and now you’re teaching at a university. Please send my congratulations.”

After the resistance war against the French ended, Khang returned to Hanoi and continued working as a worker for the Tien Bo Printing House from 1954 to 1958. During those four years, he was twice elected as an Advanced Worker and a Model Emulation Fighter, and was selected to attend school.Supplementary education for workers and peasants.Here, learning from teachers and peers, one's intellect is quickly enlightened. Open a school.Workers and peasants supplementIt was an initiative of the Party and the State to create opportunities for the children of workers and peasants who, due to the war, did not receive a full education to develop their abilities. Khang said that he learned quickly, taking accelerated courses—two grades in one year, three grades in two years. Here, he met well-known figures such as Mr. Tran Xuan Gia, Mr. Nguyen Duy Quy, and Mr. Chau Dinh Du. In his final year studying foreign languages, Khang was in the same class as Mr. Phan Van Khai, who later became Prime Minister. Both went to Russia; Mr. Khai went to Plekhanov University, while Khang went to Lomonosov University. From there, their paths diverged. In 1965, Khang began working at the University of Hanoi, initially in the political department before transferring to the Faculty of Literature, still pursuing Literary Theory and Aesthetics.

That's how we got to know each other. Living in a rural evacuation area, he brought a young child with him, taking care of the child's food, shelter, and education. In the mountainous region, he often told stories about his time in Russia: "I lived in the beautiful Sochi area of ​​the Black Sea, now part of Georgia, so I miss the sea very much. Every afternoon after work, I would go to the beach and swim for hours without getting bored." Mr. Khang was tall, strong, and handsome. He was chosen by his colleagues in the department as one of the "four good" people, one of which was his "large chest." That large chest must have been a champion swimmer in the sea. He recounted: "I swam so well that an elderly Russian couple and their daughter sitting on the shore watched me and discussed it. When they got ashore, the mother and daughter approached me: 'You swim very well, my daughter also loves swimming, you must live in the dormitory area of ​​the school nearby. If you could teach her to swim in the afternoon, at this time, we would be very grateful.' I hesitated but then agreed." And so, for about half a month, the swimmer gently taught Nga's younger sister how to swim. He happily said, "At seventeen, she's so attached to the water." Happiness came once, but for him, joy probably wouldn't come only once. Khang smiled and nodded, "There are still many secrets I'll tell you gradually."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Khang

Returning to the Van Tho evacuation area and those days of hardship, Khang lived and worked with top-notch literature teachers such as Professors Hoang Xuan Nhi, Hoang Nhu Mai, Le Dinh Ky, and Phan Cu De. Khang loved literature and was passionate about studying and exploring the field of literature. As a bright student, he quickly acquired a wealth of knowledge that he could apply and was preparing to pursue a PhD. I supported and enthusiastically helped him. His PhD thesis raised the issue...region theoryIn literature, regional theory has a practical basis, encompassing economic, cultural, and literary regions. Khang delved deeply into literary regions, examining their relationship with politics, economics, and culture. While his literary knowledge was inevitably lacking, his thinking was bold, and many of his premonitions were correct. Others offered constructive criticism, and he successfully defended his work. Khang was dynamic, always eager to explore and discover, even though his arguments sometimes wavered. Undeterred, he applied to study for a PhD in Russia. He earned his associate doctorate in 1984 and pursued a doctorate for four or five years. He returned to his old school and his former teacher, Professor Ovsyannikov. At this time, Russia was beginning to experience significant changes. Cultural and artistic theories were not developing in a one-sided manner but in multiple dimensions, with many counterarguments emerging. The professor was friendly with his former student but spoke frankly: "Do you have any new theories or research? If not, go home. I'll give you six months to prepare, then come see me." After several months of preparation, Do Van Khang brought his theory of aesthetic zones to present to the professor. He said: "I skillfully combined socialist reality with the theory of aesthetic zones, so the professor agreed and liked my theory." The basis of the aesthetic zone isfield theoryThe field theory is vast in space and time, influencing many natural and social relationships. It even influences love. He further confided, "When I was young, any girl who entered my 'beauty school' would find it hard to escape. I finished and defended my PhD early and was rewarded with a year-long trip. After half the time, I ran out of money and started thinking about returning home." Do Van Khang is an enthusiastic seeker and explorer. Many of his ideas come early and are not easily accepted. He proposes many issues that sometimes seem far-fetched, but time has been on his side. During the period when there was a proposal to change the national anthem, Do Van Khang eagerly participated in the competition. His lyrics were powerful but still general and conventional:

The country from Hung Vuong and Ho Chi Minh

Standing tall, facing the East Sea winds.

Sacred, etched in our hearts.

Forever for this country

A nation that has existed for generations.

For independence, freedom, and happiness

We march forth with the glory of the Soviet Union.

Ignite the heroic firestorm.

Mr. Khang said that the melody and lyrics were mine. I remember Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tan adjusting and composing the music for me. Mr. Tan praised the composition as having strong inspiration, and said that if combined with brass instruments, it would be majestic. The song was entered in a competition, but the competition had no end, so the competition song became a family song. Occasionally, he and his sons sing it loudly at home. Do Van Khang and his grandchildren all love music. The family has a musical atmosphere, like a small orchestra. Mr. Khang has a mandolin, and his grandsons Khanh and Thao play the violin. He cares about his family home and builds order. At mealtimes, if his wife, Ms. Thiep, is away, her chair is left empty, and the children are not allowed to sit in the chair reserved for their mother. His children are successful and well-educated. His eldest daughter is the Director of the University of Culture, and her husband is the Director of the Institute of Religion. A small family with two directors. He said, "My family knows how to do business, so we focus on our children's education. In the same cultural area, if there's a debate, I have the support of my children." His wife, Ms. Thiep, also strived to advance from a country girl to a city worker, earning two part-time degrees at the Polytechnic University and then attending the Nguyen Ai Quoc School. As Secretary of the Textile Industry Trade Union and a member of the Presidium of the Vietnam Women's Union, she was elected to the 3rd National Assembly. Mr. Khang said that Comrade Pham The Duyet told him, "I discovered Ms. Thiep." She has her own car and often travels to other provinces for work, and Mr. Khang usually accompanies her. Mr. Khang said, "A beautiful car carrying a PhD husband – a harmonious combination of science and government." Wherever they go, they are given a lavish welcome. Ms. Thiep talks about the movement, while Mr. Khang engages in scientific discussions. Dr. Khang eloquently discusses domestic and international literature. Some trade union officials are left speechless with admiration.

Photo: Jackie Chan

Their family home was joyful and warm when suddenly, Ms. Thiep fell ill with a terminal disease and passed away a few months later. The family was devastated and heartbroken, while Mr. Khang took care of the children. Time passed, and the living had to live, and they sought new joys. By chance, while teaching, Mr. Khang met Ms. Huong, a high school teacher. There wasn't a whirlwind romance like in their youth, but their love was also incredibly fast-paced. Mr. Khang confided to me, "Heaven took away a kind wife from me, but compensated me with a young wife." When two people are in love, age is no obstacle… Ms. Huong is thirty-four years old, Mr. Khang is 64, a difference of thirty years. In a Middle Eastern country, marriage laws stipulate that a maximum age difference of 25 years is acceptable. In that country, Mr. Khang would have broken the law. But in Vietnam, thirty years is not a problem, as long as they are compatible. That's how things are now, but looking to the future, if Professor Khang were to turn ten years older, he would undoubtedly face hardships. However, everything remains peaceful and happy. One day, Professor Khang invited his friends to a party he called...Ten years of maintaining power.For ten years, he maintained his integrity, keeping his rivals at a distance. He was blessed with excellent health. He grew a long beard, many strands of which were already white. His wife, Ms. Huong, remarked, "My husband looks old with a beard, but his spirit and strength remain youthful." Someone curiously asked, "Did Mr. Khang ask your permission to grow a beard?" "No, that's Mr. Khang's right; I only told him not to let it get too long." From then on, Mr. Khang's beard was shorter and trimmed into a horizontal line, looking beautiful and unique. He continued to teach Aesthetics at various universities, including the University of Fine Arts, the University of Culture, the Academy of Music, and the School of Industrial Fine Arts..He jokingly said, "Some of the teachers who taught with me also got tired and gradually retired." From a typesetter at a printing house to a Doctor of Science, from a young revolutionary cadre who fought in two wars against the French and has now been a Party member for 50 years, Professor Do Van Khang, with his handsome and dignified appearance, still has a heart as vibrant as ever.