A brilliant Sinologist

In 1955, he was sent by the State to study History at Peking University (China). After six years of diligent study abroad, he returned to Vietnam and became a lecturer in World History at Hanoi University.

Associate Professor, People's Teacher Nguyen Van Hong/Photo: Thanh Long

Although a specialist in history, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong's main research focus is...World historyHe is particularly knowledgeable in Chinese history and culture. With a passion for science, sharp intellect, and extensive knowledge, his research over the years has left a profound impression on a wide readership and many generations of students. In his decades of research and teaching, and possessing a deep understanding of Eastern cultures and languages, especially those of China and Japan, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong, though not having published a large number of books, has left behind works that have been reprinted numerous times and are considered essential reading for world history students. His most notable works include:Modern world history(Hanoi University, 1973)Modern Chinese history(Ho Chi Minh City University, 1979)Modern world historyVolume 1 (University of Technology and Engineering Publishing House, 1986)Modern world historyVolume 3 (University and Professional Training Publishing House, 1987)Vietnam - ASEAN(National Political Publishing House 1996)Meiji Restoration Education (Japan)(Education Publishing House, 1996)Some issues concerning Asian and Vietnamese history: a perspective(Information and Theoretical Publishing House, 2001)China's reform and opening up – lessons learned(World Publishing House, 2003)Nguyen Truong To and the modernization of the country.(Ho Chi Minh Academy of Social Sciences 1993)The August 1945 Revolution in Southeast Asia – Challenges and Upheaval(Journal of Historical Studies, issues 7 and 8, 1990)...

Although Vietnamese history wasn't his area of ​​expertise, Professor had a particular fondness for it. He often confided to his colleagues and students: "If you study world history without knowing Vietnamese history, it's like a tree without roots. If you only study Vietnamese history and detach yourself from the perspective of the region and the world, you can't have a comprehensive and profound understanding." Thanks to this, his research on issues of Asian and Vietnamese history, cultural exchange, Confucianism, and more specifically, his studies of Vietnamese historical figures such as Ho Chi Minh, Phan Chau Trinh, Sun Yat-sen, and Nguyen Truong To, are always insightful and very impressive.

He was the first Head of the Department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies/Photo: Thanh Long

Many generations of students from the History Department and later from the Oriental Studies Department have often shared stories about how "fascinating" Professor Hong's lectures were – a blend of the broad perspective of a world history expert and the profound, insightful thinking of an Eastern cultural researcher. "I like using literature to teach history," he often shared with colleagues and students. Mr. Li Jiazhong, former Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, who studied Vietnamese with Professor Hong when he was a student in China, recounted: "As if to spark my interest in learning Vietnamese, from the very first tutoring session, Professor Hong read me some verses from poetry."Kim Van Kieu story"Although I didn't understand anything at the time, I felt that Vietnamese was as beautiful and moving as French. Since then, decades have passed, and Comrade Nguyen Van Hong has always been my teacher and close friend."

Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong's dedication to his work and his seriousness in science are remembered by many of his students. Dr. Nguyen Tho Duc – Head of the Department of Chinese Studies – often compares his teacher to the image of a "silkworm spinning its silk" in a poem.AcephalousHe was deeply impressed and admired the philosophy of life of Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong, as reflected in the words of the Chinese poet Li Shangyin: “The life of a scholar is like a silkworm in spring, it must work hard until death. Research and teaching must be done with all one's heart, like a silkworm spinning its golden threads for the world.”

Sometimes, comparing himself to a scholar from Thanh Hoa province – a bit eccentric, a bit proud, a bit difficult – Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong is content that he has lived his life honestly, with a love for life and respect for people. Without striving or rushing, he believes in fate. Besides teaching and research, a large part of his love and life is expressed in poetry. Poems about his homeland, his country, poems dedicated to famous people, friends, comrades... or sometimes just fleeting emotions and thoughts. He writes poetry in Chinese characters, transcribing and translating them himself. Filled with emotions and reflections, his Chinese poems are born one after another, preserved in this collection.Wild grassThis surprised even seasoned literary critics. Poetry also helped him make many friends and left a deep impression on them. Professor Wen Zhuang of Beijing Foreign Studies University (China) had the opportunity to read the poetry collection.Wild grassThe dedication read:Wild GrassIn the South, autumn and winter never wither and die, traditions are preserved for a thousand years, the phoenix bird flies across ten thousand miles, the Vietnamese flowers enjoy it together, mountains and rivers sing together, why not recite it? / Uncle Ho had students."

Another colleague in the history field, Associate Professor Chương Thâu, also commented on Associate Professor Nguyễn Văn Hồng with respect: "The exemplary figure remaining from a period when Literature, History, and Philosophy were inseparable at the former University of Hanoi is Associate Professor Nguyễn Văn Hồng." Many generations of students also admired him, finding in him a fascinating and skillful blend of the profound character of a Confucian scholar with the vibrant, extroverted personality of a modern scientific researcher.

Associate Professor Vu Van Quan (Head of the History Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) once shared his profound impressions of Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong:When speaking of Professor Hong, one speaks of his profound knowledge and insightful interpretations, each bearing his own distinctive personal touch.."His captivating lectures on the history of Japan, Indonesia, and Southeast Asian countries... left an unforgettable impression on us students at that time."What is special about Mr. Hong's teaching style is:The history teacher is very passionate."He also loved literature and poetry, especially writing poems in classical Chinese, and it was this love of poetry that added a poetic touch to his history teaching career."

As contemporaries, Professor Phan Huy Le shared many fond memories with Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong during their time working together at the Department of History and the Department of Oriental Studies.My strongest impression of Professor Hong is that he was a Sinologist.He was very talented. Besides his profound research on Chinese history and culture, Professor Hong was also very fond of poetry and composed many poems in classical Chinese. Even now, he remains a leading expert in Sinology."— Professor Phan Huy Le shared.

From a personal perspective, Professor Phan Huy Le said that what he valued most about his contemporary was his calm demeanor and immense generosity towards those around him. Even when debating the most contentious professional issues, Professor Hong always remained gentle, never raising his voice or speaking harshly to anyone.

From a management perspective, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong made significant contributions to the early development of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, particularly in establishing the Chinese Studies program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. In 1993, the Department of Chinese Studies within the Faculty of Oriental Studies was established, and Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong became its first Head. With his many years of teaching experience and extensive international connections, he played a crucial role in laying the foundations for the department's development. From building the staff, developing the lecture system and teaching materials, laying the groundwork for scientific research, to outlining the department's major development directions, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong's contributions and influence are evident. From 2001 to 2007, he served as Director of the Center for Chinese Studies. From a fledgling field, Chinese Studies has now become a recognized brand within the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Even though he retired quite some time ago, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong remains one of the founding professors with a significant academic influence on generations of young staff and students in the Department.

In 2014, on the occasion of the 80th birthdays of Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong and Associate Professor Luong Ninh (the first Head of the Department of Indian Studies), the Faculty of Oriental Studies organized a warm and intimate gathering of many generations of faculty and students to celebrate with the two professors. In a cozy and friendly atmosphere, many memories were shared, and the feelings of friends, colleagues, and students were expressed to Professor Hong with all the respect, admiration, and affection.

Touched by the words of encouragement and congratulations from colleagues and students, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hong expressed: “The teaching and research profession is arduous, even filled with bitterness. But all positions will eventually pass away; only the title of teacher remains unchanged forever. It is a noble profession.”!"Having embarked on a career in research and teaching, experiencing all the joys and sorrows of the profession, he reflected: the more he researched, the more deeply he understood that life and this world are so vast, the unknown is so great, and human understanding is limited. Therefore, he always kept in mind: 'Always seek new things and never be complacent, don't let praise and applause stifle your efforts and striving.'""That was the guiding principle of this talented teacher, which helped him achieve many accomplishments in research and teaching.