Visiting the Department of History – Professor's second home and family – at this time, the faculty and students of the Department still seem unable to believe the truth. The feeling of loss is immense! The sadness and sorrow are almost indescribable. The Department of History and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities have lost a scientist with an extraordinary intellect, a dedicated administrator; generations of students have lost a great teacher with a pure character and captivating and unique lectures on Vietnamese history and culture; colleagues have lost a friend and brother who was always warm, simple, and wholeheartedly devoted to everyone; and society has lost a person who was always dedicated, passionate, and full of love for life.
"Teacher Kế passed away surrounded by the love of everyone."
Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc (former Head of the History Department, former Director of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) was still shocked, saying, "Just this morning we were chatting, and by afternoon I heard that Ke had been hospitalized. I rushed there immediately... but we couldn't see each other again. It feels like a cruel joke!" Having known each other since childhood and later attending the same History department in university, Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc shared many unforgettable memories and feelings throughout his more than 45 years of friendship with Associate Professor Nguyen Hai Ke: “I always saw Ke as a vibrant, energetic person who gave his all for his youth – that was very special. Even in high school, he started writing poetry very early; I remember one poem, ‘Earth Cannon,’ which won an award. He would confidently ride his bicycle to school, reciting poetry as he went. He might have looked a bit ‘old,’ but he was very youthful and energetic. From childhood to later in life, Ke has always been humorous and passionate.”
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke was born into a family where his father was a talented and dedicated teacher, and his mother was also skilled in classical Chinese and enjoyed poetry. They early on guided their children towards a career in education, examinations, and ultimately teaching. Professor Ke grew up in the land of the renowned scholar Nguyen Binh Khiem, surrounded by the soothing sounds of kites and firecrackers.
Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc (right) recounts the contributions of Associate Professor Nguyen Hai Ke to the field of History.
Professor Ngoc recalled: “When I started studying at the History Department, I admired him greatly because he knew so much. He had just joined the department, and hadn't even attended a single class yet, but he could already speak fluently about historical texts, such as 'Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu' (Complete History of Dai Viet) and 'Viet Su Thong Giam Cuong Muc' (Comprehensive History of Vietnam)… He had a very good foundation, so he studied very well, and was early guided by excellent teachers, such as Professor Phan Huy Le, Professor Phan Dai Doan, and Ms. Pham Thi Tam… It can be said that Mr. Ke matured very early, becoming a very young, capable, and reputable lecturer, loved by the students. He had continuous learning opportunities and, especially, had the very valuable chance to study abroad, pursuing his PhD and doctorate in Russia.”
Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc shared that Professor Ke possessed a fervent youthful spirit, participating in Youth Union activities from a very young age, and exhibiting exceptional organizational and mobilization skills. Professor Ke served as the Secretary of the Faculty of History's Youth Union branch, the Secretary of the Youth Union at Hanoi University, was admitted to the Party early, and also joined the Party Committee of Hanoi University very early. He also participated in the work of the City Youth Union and the Central Youth Union, combining research on youth history and the history of the Youth Union with his teaching. "I have never seen anyone with such enthusiasm and dedication to youth, to youth activities, youth movements, and youth development as Professor Ke. It seems to be ingrained in his blood. When he stopped working in the Youth Union to pursue his doctoral studies in Russia, he was very sad, sometimes even crying," Professor Ngoc said with emotion.
Associate Professor Nguyen Hai Ke speaking at a program for exchanging ideas among generations of key youth union officials of the former University of Hanoi. University of Social Sciences and Humanities, March 24, 2011.
After Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke returned to the Department of History after successfully defending his doctoral thesis in Russia, Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc was the Head of the Department. The Department of History possessed a valuable asset: leading experts in their respective fields, the legendary "four pillars" of Professors Dinh Xuan Lam, Ha Van Tan, Tran Quoc Vuong, and Phan Huy Le. The department discussed and assigned members to closely follow these "four pillars" to learn from them. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke was assigned to closely follow Professor Tran Quoc Vuong. The Department of Cultural History was established, with Professor Tran Quoc Vuong as its Head. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke was appointed as the Deputy Head of the Department to assist Professor Vuong. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke's greatest contributions were in the field of cultural history. His works and writings from the 1990s onwards have focused on cultural history and cultural studies. In 2004, when Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc took over the leadership of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Associate Professor Nguyen Hai Ke was appointed Head of the History Department.
Professor Ngoc observed: “Professor Ke is a person who is completely dedicated to his work; once he accepts a task, he does it to the best of his ability. Since becoming Head of the Faculty, Professor Ke has organized the Faculty's work very well. From 2004 to the present, despite very difficult conditions, the Faculty has made great strides in training, research, and personnel organization. The Faculty has maintained its position as a leading unit among training and research units in History nationwide.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke chaired the Culture subcommittee of the International Conference on Sustainable Development of Hanoi Capital City. October 8, 2010.
The latest achievement and source of pride for the Department of History, to which Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke made a significant contribution, is the four-volume work "History of Vietnam." Prior to this, during the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke also co-authored and edited numerous books, primarily on culture and education. He also led a state-level scientific research project on education in Thang Long-Hanoi. Furthermore, Professor Ke has contributed many valuable works, such as "Vietnamese Village Culture," a meticulously researched work on Duc Tu village that has been highly praised by experts in the field.
But above all, Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc said: "This was a man who wholeheartedly devoted himself to others, and was loved by everyone in a rare way. Professor Ke passed away surrounded by the utmost care and affection of everyone. That love stemmed from the love that he himself had for others. That was the most 'human' quality of him, his most special quality."
"A true teacher is always dedicated to their work and their students!"
In an emotional state, seemingly unable to recover from or calm the sudden passing of his teacher, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Quan (Deputy Head of the History Department) choked up and said: "This is a great loss for the History Department, the History major, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities."
Sharing his thoughts about his teacher, mentor, and colleague with whom he shared over 30 years, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Quan said: “From a scientific perspective, our Professor Ke is a shining example of passion for science. Throughout his life, he has been devoted to the field of History, specializing in ancient and medieval times, and later expanding into Cultural Studies, especially the history and culture of Vietnam. His passion and efforts, combined with his innate intelligence, have created a rich and insightful body of knowledge about Vietnamese history and culture.”
Professor Kế may not write as much as other teachers of his generation, but his writings have left a distinct mark. His articles are never superficial but always based on new and unique ideas, which is why his scientific output is often remembered. Academically, his influence on generations of students, within the field, and in society at large is very impressive.
Several newly published works were edited or co-authored by Associate Professor Nguyen Hai Ke.
His social influence was also immense. Instead of appearing on television in the clichés of a knowledge-gathering lecturer, he often addressed very pressing issues of history and culture.
From a teacher's perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke is a teacher in the fullest sense of the word: a provider of knowledge, teaching students how to learn independently, explore, research, delve deeper, and create. From a very early age, especially after returning from the former Soviet Union, Professor Ke applied a very innovative teaching method. He didn't speak much, but he knew how to stimulate students to raise their own questions and think critically about their learning, rather than simply copying down his lectures.
Teacher Kế never created a distance between teacher and students. He was very strict, even shouting when angry, but certainly no student truly feared Teacher Kế in the literal sense, nor did any student resent him after being scolded. Teacher Kế was one of the teachers with the most students, and the teacher-student relationship was very sincere.
Regarding the leadership role of the History Department, Professor Kế possesses all the necessary qualities in terms of competence and professional prestige to become the leader of a leading department in basic science training and research at the University, within the field of social sciences and humanities, and in society as a whole. When people mention the History Department and Professor Kế – the Head of the Department, they immediately recognize a department specializing in history training and research of the highest caliber and prestige in the country.
“He was like a unifying force in the Faculty, a very precious and proud tradition of the History Department. The members of the Faculty lived in harmony and affection, and Professor Kế was the one who connected this tradition of unity within the Faculty,” shared Associate Professor Vũ Văn Quân. “He was a person who always gave his all for his work and for everyone, without knowing how to enrich himself or seek personal gain.”
Living simply and harmoniously, being true to himself and others – this is the shared feeling of all those who have lived and worked with him.
"The young faculty members and students of the Department have lost a great source of support."
Ms. Do Thi Huong Thao, a student of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke since 1996 and his colleague at the History Department since 2001, was moved when mentioning the teacher she deeply respected and loved: “Only when he passed away did I understand how important he was to me, as a teacher, as a colleague, and perhaps even as a great friend. In everyone's hearts, he was not only a profound scholar but also someone who always shone brightly.”
Within the Faculty, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke is renowned as a teacher who consistently inspires students to grasp ideas and view Vietnamese culture – not just as it appears on the surface, but to understand Vietnamese culture from its traditions, to decipher cultural issues in depth, only then can one truly understand Vietnamese culture, society, and people.
“After Professor Vuong passed away, the Department of Cultural Studies lost an extremely great pillar, but there was another teacher for future generations to rely on, Professor Nguyen Hai Ke. But now, generations of students have lost a support system, a great tree that they could lean on both professionally and spiritually in life,” said Ms. Do Thi Huong Thao, M.Sc.
She said that the best thing about Professor Kế was his kindness and compassion. He showed the most care to the students who were struggling the most. He was perhaps the only leader whose annual report specifically counted how many young staff members were still unmarried, without a home, and whose salaries were insufficient to live on. He shared even the smallest details with his staff, caring about whether their children were well-behaved and had started school. It wasn't just the students who liked him; the daughters-in-law and sons-in-law of the department also liked him, and the students in the faculty liked him too. There were stories that students might find difficult to tell other professors, but when they met Professor Kế, they could easily confide in him without him even having to ask.
Living simply and harmoniously, being true to himself and others – this is the shared feeling of all those who have lived and worked with him: “Even when he appeared in the media, he remained simple, unpretentious, and maintained that same heartfelt style. In the social sciences, great teachers play a very important role in the growth of each student, and the younger generation of students and staff always need a great teacher like Professor Nguyen Hai Ke.”
MOURNING UNCLE NGUYEN HAI KE
Let's assume it's "death at any time".
That blue sky is worthless, sir!
There is no compassion for good people in this world.
Just tear it all up then…oh heavens!
How can I leave when you're gone?
The gold coin is lost, but the copper coin remains...
Where have those youthful days gone?
The poem was hastily written, overflowing with the beauty of the land.
Me Tri, those country kids
Even with candy and a cup of water, they still lingered happily...
Where are the old farm paths now?
Barefoot, tattered clothes scattered here and there.
Where is that mountain corner at the foot of the clouds?
The frail, thin figure of the old man waded out…
As night falls, we reflect on the sweet melody.
The world is ever-changing, what can we do when we grow old...?
Where is tomorrow?
While the mountains and rivers still stretch on...where else will they go?
It's heartbreaking, regrettable, and painful.
Is this the blue sky we wear on our heads?...
Hanoi, night of March 19, 2013
Nguyen Hung Vi
GOODBYE!
Paying respects to the late Associate Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Hai Ke
You left so suddenly!
Rain falls suddenly in a suburban area.
He spent his whole life steering the boat.
Along the river, words express worries about the passing days.
I remember the time when we were both infatuated.
Thu Nga's magnificent golden dress filled the sky.
"My delta village"
"Cultural exchange" in the tumultuous human existence.
"History and resistance against foreign invasion."
How many storms and raging waves rage in my heart?
The Grim Reaper's hand is silent.
Still pursuing my dream through words…
The school's spirit after the storm left it desolate.
The trees in front of the gate were adorned with headscarves.
A life filled with profound gratitude and kindness.
A glorious reputation from a bygone era, beyond the cycle of reincarnation.
To Ngoc Thach