Associate Professor, Distinguished Teacher Le Duc Niem - a life of revolutionary activities and teaching

Associate Professor and Meritorious Teacher Lê Đức Niệm was born on February 5, 1932 (according to his official biography, February 5, 1934), into a family with a revolutionary tradition in Nam Cường commune, Nam Đàn district, Nghệ An province. From a young age, due to early revolutionary awareness, he left his family to join the revolution. Initially, he participated in local revolutionary propaganda movements, was introduced to the Young Pioneers, and was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Young Pioneers in his commune. After the nationwide resistance war, he continued his studies while participating in the resistance in his hometown. After peace was restored, he moved from Nghệ An to Hanoi and was introduced to a film commentary course. In April 1956, he became an employee of the Vietnam National Film Enterprise, under the Ministry of Culture. In October 1956, he was sent to study at Hanoi University. After graduating from university, from November 1959, he was retained by the School as a lecturer in the Department of Literature, responsible for teaching and researching Chinese literature. He was admitted to the Vietnam Labor Party (now the Communist Party of Vietnam) on January 9, 1963.

Associate Professor, Distinguished Teacher Le Duc Niem (1932-2015)

Due to professional development requirements, from October 1963, he was sent to study classical Chinese literature at Peking University. There, he had the opportunity to interact with and become acquainted with famous Chinese scholars such as Wang Li and Yuan Xingbai (renowned researchers of poetics and classical Chinese poetry)... Those were months of intensive research, nurturing his ambition to become an expert in researching and teaching Tang Dynasty poetry in particular and Chinese literature in general. In July 1966, after completing his advanced studies, he returned to Vietnam and continued working at the Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University. From the very beginning of his return, he devoted himself to working with the staff of the Foreign Literature department to develop the curriculum and compile lectures to quickly introduce Vietnamese students to the monumental works of great literary traditions around the world. Students of all generations still recount the enthusiastic spirit and passion for literature of Professor Le Duc Niem through his lectures.Book of Poetry,Qu Yuan, Li Bai, Du Fu...Thousands of graduates now working throughout the country surely still remember his powerful, resonant voice reciting poetry during his enthusiastic lectures in the evacuated mountainous areas of Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province, as well as in the lecture halls of Hanoi. Almost no difficulty, not even the roar of bombs and bullets, could drown out the warm, human-like tones of his voice. His passion, his selfless love for his students, has touched the hearts of countless generations of students in the Faculty of Literature.

Meritorious Teacher Lê Đức Niệm was a highly knowledgeable teacher. He was not only knowledgeable about Chinese literature, but also well-versed in Vietnamese literature, especially the poetry and writings of President Ho Chi Minh. His books on Tang Dynasty poetry in particular, and Chinese literature in general, always include a section connecting them to Vietnamese literature; for example:Tang Dynasty Poetry(Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 1994)The appearance of Tang Dynasty poetry(Culture and Arts Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995)Poet Immortal Li Bai(Literature Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995). He was the one who laid the foundation for teaching and researching Chinese literature in close relationship with Vietnamese literature at the Faculty of Linguistics, Hanoi University. To this day, his students continue on the path he took, alongside the compulsory basic subject,Chinese literature(includeChinese literature from antiquity to the Tang DynastyandMing and Qing Dynasty Literature – Modern and Contemporary), and there are also additional elective courses, which areReception of Tang Dynasty poetry in Vietnam(Adapted from the topic the teacher taught:)The influence of Tang Dynasty poetry in Vietnam) and this topic will now be expanded to include:Reception of Chinese Literature in VietnamProfessor Lê Đức Niệm is also a translator and lexicographer. During his time working at the university, in addition to writing scholarly books to meet the training needs of the school, he also diligently compiled dictionaries; for example:Japanese-Vietnamese Dictionary(co-authored, Education Publishing House, Hanoi, 1993)Chinese-Vietnamese Dictionary(Culture and Arts Publishing House, Hanoi, 1999)Chinese-Vietnamese Dictionary(co-authored, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 1993)Dictionary of Literature(co-authored, volume 1, Hanoi 1983 and volume 2, Hanoi 1984)... He was also the translator of the series.History of Chinese Literature(2 volumes, jointly translated, University & Vocational College Publishing House, Hanoi 1990; reprinted, Education Publishing House, Hanoi 1997), is the person who introduced the works of great authors in Chinese literature, such asRomance of the Three Kingdoms,Eastern Zhou Dynasty,Kim Bình Maivv; and also the person who contributed to bringing the translation to market.Poems by Du FuNhuong Tong's work is being brought to the public.

For his exceptional contributions to the field of education, Associate Professor and Meritorious Teacher Le Duc Niem has been awarded numerous prestigious honors by the Party and State, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, including: the Third-Class Labor Medal, the Second-Class Resistance Medal, the Medal for the Cause of Trade Unions, the Medal for the Cause of Education, the title of Excellent Teacher, the Commemorative Medal of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the 50-Year Party Membership Badge, etc.

Professor Lê Đức Niệm was a man of simple living and unwavering dedication. He exemplified solidarity, humanism, responsibility, and a willingness to think outside the box and take action. Throughout his decades of service at the Faculty, he held numerous important positions, including: Head of the Department of Foreign Literature, Head of the Department of Oriental Literature, Secretary of the Faculty of Linguistics' Union, Vice-Head of the Faculty of Linguistics - Acting Head, Secretary of the Party Branch, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Faculty of Linguistics, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Party Committee of Hanoi University… In every role, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his duties with a pure heart and a spirit of impartiality. He was a representative of the generation of veteran educators, simultaneously participating in revolutionary activities, teaching, and conducting scientific research – a teacher with a strong practical spirit. With a bright smile always on his face, he was always loved and respected by his colleagues and students of all generations.