An anthropologist with a passion for Thai culture.

Throughout his more than 40 years working in the Department of Ethnology under the Faculty of History and the Department of Anthropology of the former University, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong paid particular attention to three key areas that made his name known to the professional community and the public. The first was the culture of ethnic groups belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family, and his scientific knowledge of the La Chi people became a bridge that led him to the United States to share and exchange ideas with many American scientists.

The second direction is the study of the culture of ethnic groups belonging to the Tay-Thai language family. Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong played a pivotal role, leading this research direction and being one of its founders.Thai-Vietnamese Studies ProgramHaving successfully organized six national conferences on Thai-Vietnamese studies, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong places Thai culture in interactive relation to the cultures of other ethnic groups in the region, such as the Mon-Khmer and Viet-Muong language groups. He seeks to demonstrate the INDIGENOUS nature of a segment of the Thai people in Vietnam from both the subjective perspective (a genuine Thai person) and the objective perspective (a talented and vibrant ethnologist).

Associate Professor, Distinguished Teacher Hoang Luong (1944-2015)/Photo: Thanh Long

The third area of ​​research is the festivals of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. In this research direction, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong is particularly passionate about agricultural rituals, especially those for a good harvest. He delves deeply into fertility rituals – the most important beliefs in traditional agriculture. For this reason, colleagues and friends often call him the "FERTILITY SPECIALIST."

His research findings have been presented at numerous scientific conferences both domestically and internationally, and have been compiled into nearly 130 articles in specialized journals and valuable ethnographic monographs for generations of students, such as:Thai patterns. National Culture Publishing House (1988)Traditional festivals and folk beliefs of ethnic groups in Vietnam (Northern provinces). National University of Hanoi Publishing House (2002),Customary law and the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural heritage of some ethnic groups in Northwest Vietnam.. National Culture Publishing House (2004)Culture of ethnic groups in Northwest VietnamHanoi University of Culture (2005) andThe ancient Tay and Thai people in Vietnam. Hanoi National University Publishing House (2015).

For Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong, research results are always linked to and serve education. Based on his scientific knowledge of the Thai people, Thai culture, and the cultures of ethnic minorities, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong has successfully supervised hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate students in Ethnology/Anthropology and other related fields. Among the subjects he teaches at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels are many that he has pursued throughout his life, such as: General Ethnology, Ethnic Groups of the Tibeto-Burman Language Family, Traditional Festivals of Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam, Customary Laws of Ethnic Groups in Vietnam, and Languages ​​of Ethnic Groups in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

He dedicated his entire life to researching and teaching about Thai culture and the cultures of ethnic groups in Vietnam. /Photo: Thanh Long

Furthermore, Associate Professor Hoang Luong has made many practical contributions to disseminating the ancient Thai script to young scientists and students in various social sciences and humanities disciplines who wish to learn about Thai writing and culture.

In his lectures, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong not only imparts knowledge through his expressive, energetic, and captivating voice, but he also consistently inspires enthusiasm and a passion for science in his students. Therefore, he is a highly regarded and respected teacher, admired by many students who aspire to learn from him. Many have achieved significant success in their professional careers thanks to his guidance.

His influence was deeply felt in the development of the Anthropology department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and in Vietnam in general. With passion and enthusiasm, as head of the Ethnology Department (1997-2002), he initiated and strongly encouraged the shift in Ethnology towards Anthropology. Building on that foundation, his colleagues continued the work, leading to the establishment of the Anthropology Department. He then continued as head of the Anthropology Department (2007-2009), further promoting the development of Anthropology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Currently, the Anthropology Department, now part of the Faculty of Anthropology, offers training in Anthropology at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels, with hundreds of students, including many international students, master's students, and doctoral candidates.

With his profound knowledge and personal prestige, he was invited to serve as a member of the National Council of Cultural Heritage of Vietnam for the term 2004-2009 and is a member of many professional associations at home and abroad, such as the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology, the Vietnam Folk Arts Association, the World Textile Association, etc.

It can be said that Associate Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Teacher Hoang Luong dedicated his entire life and career to the field of Anthropology, making significant contributions in all areas of research, training, and development of the field, as well as other positive contributions to society and the country. For his tireless contributions in many fields, he was honored by the State with many prestigious titles and awards: Associate Professor; Meritorious Teacher; Third-Class Labor Medal; Second-Class Resistance Medal; Medal for the Cause of Science and Technology; Medal for the Cause of Education; Medal for the Cause of Social Sciences and Humanities.

When thinking of Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong, colleagues, friends, and students not only mention his achievements in research and training, but also remember him as a talented romantic with an artistic soul full of Thai spirit. The sounds of his flute playing, the love songs of the Northwest he sang in the Me Tri dormitory, still resonate in the memories of many colleagues and friends. His artistic nature fueled his passionate and unwavering love for beauty. He admired beauty, was passionate about beauty, aspired to beauty, and always reflected it in his research and lectures.