Anthropologist passionate about Thai culture

During more than 40 years of working at the Department of Ethnology, Faculty of History and the Department of Anthropology under the previous School, Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Luong was particularly interested in three key areas that made HOANG LUONG famous among professionals and the public. The first direction is the culture of ethnic groups belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family and his scientific knowledge about the La Chi ethnic group became the bridge that brought him to the US to share and exchange with many American scientists.

The second direction is the study of the culture of ethnic groups belonging to the Tay-Thai language family. Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong has played a pivotal role, leading a research direction, and is one of the founders.Thai Vietnam Studies Program, successfully participated in organizing 6 national conferences on Thai-Vietnamese studies. Placing Thai culture in an interactive relationship with the cultures of ethnic groups in the region such as the Mon-Khmer and Viet-Muong language groups, Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Luong sought to prove the INDIGENOUS NATURE of a part of the Thai people in Vietnam from both the subjective perspective (a true Thai person) and the objective perspective (a talented and energetic ethnologist).

Associate Professor, Meritorious Teacher Hoang Luong (1944-2015)/Photo: Thanh Long

The third direction is the festivals of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. With this research direction, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong is especially passionate about agricultural rituals, especially the rituals praying for crops, in which he delves into fertility rituals - the most important beliefs in traditional agricultural activities. That is why colleagues and friends often call him a FERTILITY STUDIOSIST.

His research results have been presented at many scientific conferences at home and abroad, crystallized into nearly 130 articles in specialized journals and valuable ethnographic monographs for generations of students such as:Thai patternNational Culture Publishing House (1988),Traditional festivals and folk beliefs of Vietnamese ethnic groups (Northern provinces). Hanoi National University Publishing House (2002),Customary law with the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural heritage of some ethnic groups in Northwest Vietnam. National Culture Publishing House (2004),Culture of ethnic groups in the Northwest region of Vietnam. Hanoi University of Culture (2005) andThe ancient Tay - Thai people in Vietnam. Hanoi National University Publishing House (2015).

For Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong, research results are always linked to training and training services. Based on scientific knowledge about Thai people, Thai culture and culture of ethnic minorities, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong has successfully guided hundreds of students, undergraduates and postgraduates majoring in Ethnology/Anthropology and other related majors. Among the subjects he taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels, there are many subjects that he has pursued his whole life, for example: General Ethnology, Ethnic groups of the Tibeto-Burman language group, Traditional festivals of ethnic minorities in Vietnam, Customary laws of ethnic groups in Vietnam, Ethnic languages ​​in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

He devoted his life to research and teaching about Thai culture and the cultures of ethnic groups in Vietnam/Photo: Thanh Long

In addition, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong is also a person who has made many practical contributions to the dissemination of ancient Thai script to young scientists and students of many social sciences and humanities who want to learn about Thai script and culture.

In his lectures, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong not only imparts knowledge through his inspiring, energetic and captivating voice, but he also always inspires enthusiasm and passion for science in his students. Therefore, he is a teacher with many students, known, loved and wanted to learn from him. Many people have achieved success in their professional careers thanks to his guidance.

The process of building the Anthropology major at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi in particular and in Vietnam in general also bears his mark. With a passion and enthusiasm, as the head of the Department of Ethnology (1997-2002), he initiated and strongly encouraged the transformation of Ethnology towards Anthropology. On that foundation, his colleagues continued to establish the Department of Anthropology and then he continued to be the head of the Department of Anthropology (2007-2009) to promote the process of building and developing the Anthropology major at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Currently, the Department of Anthropology under the University has become the Faculty of Anthropology, implementing the task of training Anthropology at all three levels: undergraduate, master's and doctoral with hundreds of students, undergraduates and postgraduates, including many foreign students, undergraduates and postgraduates.

With his profound knowledge and personal prestige, he was invited to be a member of the Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council for the 2004-2009 term and is a member of many professional associations in the country and abroad such as the Vietnam Association of Ethnology and Anthropology, the Vietnam Folklore Association, the World Weaving Association, etc.

It can be said that Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Luong has devoted his entire life and career to Anthropology and he has made important contributions in all areas of research, training, industry development as well as other positive contributions to society and the country. With his tireless contributions in many fields, he has been honored by the State and awarded many noble titles and awards: Associate Professor; Excellent Teacher; Third-class Labor Medal; Second-class Resistance Medal; Medal for the Cause of Science and Technology; Medal for the Cause of Education; Medal for the Cause of Social Sciences and Humanities.

When thinking about Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Luong, colleagues, friends and students not only mention the peaks in research and training, but also remember him as a talented romantic with an artistic soul full of THAI. The flute sounds he played, the Northwest love songs he sang at Me Tri dormitory still echo somewhere in the memories of many colleagues and friends. The artist in him makes his love even hotter, burning with all his heart just for BEAUTY. He admires beauty, is passionate about beauty, strives for beauty and always presents it in his research works and lectures.