Portrait of a typical teacher - scientist

That is the University of Letters (October 1945) - the first university of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam established by President Ho Chi Minh's decree just over a month after the successful August Revolution, demonstrating the aspiration to rise and the strategic vision of the role and mission of social sciences and humanities of the newly-born independent Vietnam on the foundation of thousands of years of history and culture of the nation.

That is Hanoi University of Science (June 1956) - a multidisciplinary, basic science center, the cradle of formation and development of modern social sciences and humanities in Vietnam, which has contributed to building the reputation of Vietnamese science and education during the difficult and challenging years of resistance war and national construction.

That is the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (October 1995) - a key member of Hanoi National University - with the mission of taking the lead in creating, disseminating knowledge, training high-quality, highly qualified human resources, innovating educational methods towards modernity and integration, aiming to quickly become a training and academic center of regional and international stature.

70 years have passed, this school has been the gathering place of many erudite scientists, talented teachers, and famous managers. There are many outstanding intellectual names in history such as: Dao Duy Anh, Tran Duc Thao, Dang Thai Mai, Nguyen Manh Tuong, Cao Xuan Huy, Tran Van Giau, Hoang Xuan Nhi,... to the following generations with: Nguyen Tai Can, Tran Dinh Huou, Dinh Gia Khanh, Dinh Xuan Lam, Phan Huy Le, Ha Van Tan, Tran Quoc Vuong, Phan Cu De, Ha Minh Duc... Besides the names of many talented teachers and scientists, the history of the struggle for national liberation of Vietnam will never forget the sacrifices and losses of thousands of cadres and students of the school on fierce battlefields during the years of resistance against the US to save the country, such as Le Anh Xuan, Chu Cam Phong, Nguyen Trong Dinh, Nguyen Hong...

Each teacher, whether they spent their whole life or only a short time attached to this school, has entrusted their quintessence, intelligence, enthusiasm, and deep feelings and wishes. They have created the academic tradition, core values, and vision of a leading university of basic sciences in the country through historical stages.

10 Ho Chi Minh Awards and 14 State Awards for Science and Technology; thousands of scientific works, including classic research works, laying the foundation for social sciences and humanities; training tens of thousands of students, thousands of masters and doctors, contributing high-quality, highly qualified human resources to the country - these are the particularly impressive achievements of the School in the cause of national construction and development.

Following the founding generations, the teachers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities today are concentrating their intelligence and strength to solve many theoretical and practical problems of education, science and life, contributing to building a new face for the social sciences and humanities in Vietnam, affirming and enhancing the position and stature of the University.

2015 is the time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the tradition of the University of Letters (1945 - 2015) and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (1995 - 2015). To look back on the past journey of the University, there is nothing more meaningful than talking about the people who have been attached to and contributed significantly to the name and reputation of this school.

In gratitude for the contributions of generations of teachers and scientists, the Party Committee and the School Board of Directors have directed the compilation of the book Portraits of Outstanding Teachers and Scientists, in order to collect information and articles introducing the faces of outstanding teachers and scientists of the School through the ages. More than 100 faces selected and respectfully introduced in this book are Professors, People's Teachers; teachers and scientists who have received the Ho Chi Minh Prize, the State Prize for Science and Technology; Associate Professors - Distinguished Teachers; teachers and scientists who have made many contributions to academic activities and the development of new scientific fields, as well as to the management, construction and development of the School. Each article can only be a reflection, perspective, assessment, evaluation and personal feelings of each author about the character. But more importantly, these articles are a special emotional bond connecting the academic spirit and humanity between generations of teachers and scientists of the University. From there, the inspiration to live, work and contribute will be more strongly aroused in the staff, students and trainees, for the development of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, for the social sciences and humanities of the country.

More than 100 portraits are not enough to reflect the faces of the typical teachers and scientists of the School in the past 70 years. Moreover, in the process of exploiting information, selecting characters and writing articles, due to limitations in archival documents and time, it is inevitable that there will be characters and events without complete, updated and accurate information. We hope to receive sympathy and forgiveness from teachers and readers.

On the occasion of launching Volume 1 of the book, on behalf of the School Board, I would like to sincerely thank the teachers; relatives and families of former teachers who have cooperated and provided valuable information and documents about veteran teachers and scientists; thank the authors who have painstakingly collected documents and written articles with a sense of responsibility and full of love and respect for teachers and the School; thank the members of the Editorial Board who have spent a lot of time and effort editing and revising the articles; and finally, thank you to Hanoi National University Publishing House for enthusiastically undertaking the work of publishing this very meaningful book. We look forward to and hope to continue receiving comments and additional information from teachers and readers so that the articles as well as the archive of documents on portraits of typical teachers and scientists of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi through the ages will become more and more complete, rich and vivid.