Happy 80th birthday to Professor, People's Teacher Phan Huy Le

Professor Phan Huy Le was born on February 23, 1934, in Thach Chau commune, Loc Ha district, Ha Tinh province, into a family with a rich cultural tradition, boasting many prominent figures such as Phan Huy Can, Phan Huy Ich, and Phan Huy Chu. His maternal family was also a large and distinguished lineage, with many accomplished individuals such as Cao Xuan Duc, Cao Xuan Tieu, and Cao Xuan Huy.

Inheriting the patriotic and cultural traditions of his lineage and family, Professor Phan Huy Le showed early signs of intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. In 1951, at the age of 17, he attended a preparatory university course in Thanh Hoa, and then enrolled in the History and Geography Department of Hanoi Pedagogical University.

After graduating, he was assigned to work at the Department of History, Hanoi University. Under the guidance and mentorship of prominent revolutionaries and cultural figures of the time, such as Professors Tran Van Giau and Dao Duy Anh, the young teacher Phan Huy Le quickly matured and became one of the first generation of staff members, contributing to the foundation of the Department of History and Hanoi University.

Since joining the Faculty (in 1956) until today, Professor Phan Huy Le has spent nearly 60 years tirelessly researching, teaching, and contributing to the development of Hanoi University, now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Currently, he holds the position of President.Policy Advisory CouncilThroughout his time at the university, Professor continued to make significant contributions to guiding research, proposing recommendations to the Party and State on policies for educational and scientific development; preserving and promoting national cultural values; and contributing to the task of protecting national sovereignty. Through his outstanding achievements in research and training, he, along with Professors Dinh Xuan Lam, Ha Van Tan, and Tran Quoc Vuong, established the "Comprehensive" school of historiography, a legend of the "Four Pillars": Lam – Le – Tan – Vuong. This legend has become a source of pride not only for the Department of History, former Hanoi University and current Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, but also for the entire historical community of Vietnam.

Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, gave a speech and presented flowers to congratulate Professor Phan Huy Le.

As one of the leading figures in modern Vietnamese historiography, Professor Phan Huy Le made outstanding contributions in many different research fields, from economic history, patriotic traditions, and traditions of resistance against foreign invaders to the characteristics of national culture...

Professor's first major scholarly work wasLand ownership system and agricultural economy during the early Le DynastyCompleted and published in 1959 when he was only 25 years old, that book remains a highly valuable and relevant scientific work for anyone studying the history of land ownership and agricultural economics in Vietnam. Over the past two decades, in his role as an organizer and proposer of research objectives and ideas, and in applying modern methods and techniques in exploiting land register documents, he has made many new discoveries, not only on land issues but also on the entire Vietnamese rural society at the end of the medieval period. This has opened up a new direction and a new approach to exploiting this extremely rich and valuable source of information.

Since the 1980s, the Professor has delved deeply into the traditional values ​​of the Vietnamese nation, from patriotic traditions to the characteristics of the Vietnamese people and culture; on that basis, he affirmed...Vietnamese patriotismThese are the core, most representative, and outstanding traditional values ​​of our nation, the source, driving force, and the law governing the movement and development of Vietnamese history throughout the process of nation-building and national defense.

Although not born in Hanoi, Professor Phan Huy Le loved Hanoi deeply and began researching the city from a very early age. He published many outstanding research works on the history of Thang Long – Hanoi, as well as on preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​and heritage of the capital city of Thang Long – Hanoi.

The professor also chaired and successfully organized the State-level research project on the history and culture of the Southern region of Vietnam. The results of this project not only have scientific significance in providing new, scientific understanding of the historical origins of the Southern region, but also contribute to correcting misconceptions and inaccuracies about the formation and role of this region in Vietnamese history.

As an exemplary teacher and educator, he was deeply committed to and made significant contributions to the training of generations of historians, especially influencing generations of students and researchers both academically and morally. He directly trained and contributed to the training of many talented teachers, scientists, historians, and excellent administrators at the central and local levels. In him, the meticulous and serious style of a scientist blended naturally with the generous, kind, and selfless character of a virtuous and talented educator, always approachable, respectful, and readily willing to listen and share opinions sincerely with colleagues and students.

Professor Phan Huy Le was a pioneer in proposing the establishment and development of new scientific disciplines such as Oriental Studies and Vietnamese Studies at Hanoi National University. As the first Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies; and the founder and first Director of the Center for Vietnamese Studies Cooperation, now the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science at Hanoi National University, Professor Phan Huy Le made significant and substantial contributions to establishing and promoting academic exchange between Vietnamese scholars and international scientists in the early years of Vietnam's reform and integration.

Professor Phan Huy Le was not only a leading educator and scientist admired and respected by his students, colleagues, and the scientific community in Vietnam, but he also possessed widespread international prestige and influence, and was highly regarded and trusted by the global community of Vietnamese studies scholars. He was one of the very few Vietnamese scholars to be awarded...Fukuoda Prizeprestigious in Japan, received the awardAcademic Palm Branchand was elected a corresponding member ofInstitute of Inscriptions and Fine Artsbelong toAcademyFrance.

The achievements in his career over the past nearly six decades have always attracted special attention from colleagues and students, as well as contributions from them.The importance of family.Alongside Professor Hoang Nhu Lan, and throughout his life of research and teaching, he has always had the silent support and contributions of his wife, Professor Hoang Nhu Lan, and his children (Associate Professor and Doctor of History Phan Phuong Thao, Doctor of History Phan Hai Linh), and his nephew (Master of History Pham Le Huy), who are brilliantly continuing his legacy. This is also a success and a very proud tradition of a typical and exemplary intellectual family.

On the occasion of Professor “"Eightieth Anniversary Celebration"Once again, I would like to express my deepest affection, respect, and gratitude for the immense contributions of Professor to the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. I wish Professor and Professor continued good health, happiness, longevity, and continued contributions to the development of the University, and to the national science and education system.