"It was a memorable and emotional time!"

Jackie Chan/USSH

Professor, Doctor, People's Teacher Dinh Van Duc.

- Having spent several years in management at the Department of Vietnamese Language (now the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language), Professor, could you please share your impressions of this period?

Professor Dr. Dinh Van Duc: Thank you, journalist. The Faculty of Literature and Television has a history of 57 years, including the "pre-faculty" period. The Faculty has had many generations of leaders, the longest being Professor Hoang Trong Phien, who served as Head of the Faculty for 10 years. I only participated in managing the Faculty for 5 years (1985-1990), but I have many impressions and feelings about the Faculty, both in terms of people, work, and collegial relationships.

I joined the Faculty in 1985, a time of immense hardship. Internally, it was the end of the centrally planned economy, the economy was in crisis, inflation reached 700% after the currency exchange, and life in the Faculty, like at home, was extremely difficult. Externally, hostile forces surrounded and embargoed us, dividing us from all sides in every aspect. There were very few international students studying at the Faculty. My work at that time focused on teaching Vietnamese in Cambodia, not on integration as it did later. I wrote an article titled "The Sorrows of Teaching Vietnamese in Cambodia" to remember those difficult days.

However, as President Ho Chi Minh said, "No matter how difficult the circumstances, we must strive to teach well and learn well," the teachers in the Faculty, both young and old, regardless of poverty and hardship, still strived to fulfill their duties well both domestically and internationally. It was a truly memorable and emotional time. Such a scene will never again appear in the history of the Faculty. I am proud and grateful to the University and the Faculty for allowing me to participate in and shoulder those memorable responsibilities.

- Professor, what are your thoughts on the achievements that the Faculty of Literature and Television has accomplished?

Professor Dr. Dinh Van Duc: To assess the achievements of the Faculty, I believe we must base our assessment on the long-term tasks and responsibilities, in each specific period, and place it within the historical context of each time, as well as in relation to other faculties in the University. Overcoming all difficulties, both during prosperous times and challenging periods, the faculty members and lecturers over several generations have dedicated their enthusiasm, passion, and intellect to serving the work, just as the great poet Nguyen Du once wrote: "Having taken on this profession, we have embraced it." Thanks to this, what the Faculty has achieved, while not truly spectacular, is undeniably very good. Vietnamese language and Vietnamese studies are work that brings Vietnam to the world, helping our interaction and integration flourish. Looking back at the path we have taken today compared to several decades ago, the Faculty has come a long way. Our goals are clearer, our staff resources are better, our facilities are better, and we have more information…

- What are your thoughts and feelings regarding the future development of the Faculty, Professor?

Professor Dinh Van Duc: “The game is on the outside, but the strategy is on the inside.” My current position is that of an outsider, like a passerby observing a chess game, so I can't know more than the person playing. However, “even though we've parted ways, our hearts still linger.” I left the Faculty nearly 30 years ago, but my feelings for the Faculty remain intact, and I still have discussions with my colleagues about the responsibilities of a teacher of Vietnamese Language and Vietnamese Studies. In my opinion, the fundamental principle should be “Maintaining constancy while adapting to change.” As I said, the Faculty must not deviate from its goals; it must always nurture and supplement its staff, maintaining its leading position in all activities. Professionalism in all teaching and research activities must be increased. The Faculty needs to further promote scientific research because a good Vietnamese studies scholar is not only a good teacher but also a good researcher with quality products. This is also a specific mission within the mission of a university.

There's so much more to say, but I'll just briefly mention a few points. On this occasion, I wish the Faculty, the professors, and all the staff and students continued success in their new phase of development.

Thank you, Professor, for the conversation, and we hope you will continue to be a part of the Faculty's development and success in the future!