Scientific Conference: Hoang Xuan Han – Life and Career

On the morning of February 19, 2009, a scientific conference on the life and career of scholar Hoang Xuan Han took place at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Although a small-scale conference with approximately 20 presentations, it was profound in its scientific analysis and evaluation of the value of Professor Hoang Xuan Han's research works; and warm with the admiration and affection of the numerous delegates for him.

Many leading scientists attended this conference, including Professor Nguyen Tai Can, Professor Phan Huy Le, Professor Dinh Van Duc, Professor Vu Minh Giang, Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc, and others. In addition, the conference was attended by a large number of young staff members, graduate students, and doctoral candidates – individuals who had never met Professor Hoang Xuan Han, but whose research works have become classic books, nurturing their aspirations for exploration and guiding their research paths.

From an educational perspective, Ms. Do Thi Huong Thao stated:With just three works—"National Rhyme," "Secondary School Curriculum," and "Scientific Terminology"—the immense contributions of Hoang Xuan Han to Vietnamese education in the early days of independence, as well as throughout the development of Vietnamese education later on, are clearly highlighted."To prove this, the author presented his thorough research in practice, accompanied by very specific examples, with deep enthusiasm and passion. All of this shows that Hoang Xuan Han's scientific research has been effectively and sustainably applied to real life to this day. This book, in particular, is a testament to his dedication."scientific termsThis work is not only a significant contribution from this professor in terms of scientific thinking, but more importantly, it has helped to make Vietnamese a scientific language – something that not every language in the world has achieved.

Select "The Poem of the Warrior's Wife: A StudyIn his research paper, lecturer Nguyen Hung Vy highlighted many lessons learned from Professor Hoang Xuan Han's way of thinking and his research methods on this famous Nôm work. These lessons include the importance of relevant documents for the accuracy of each conclusion, a rigorous and logical scientific research method, dedication and patience in work, honesty, and trustworthiness in science...

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2009/02/24/pgs.ts%20pham%20hong%20tung.jpg" border="0" alt="Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Tung. Photo: Cong Khanh" title="Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Tung. Photo: Cong Khanh" width="280" height="188" align="left" ]

Associate Professor Pham Hong Tung, a specialist in modern and contemporary history, places Hoang Xuan Han's activities within Tran Trong Kim's cabinet at a major turning point in national history before the Japanese-French coup to analyze his behavior and observes:Regardless of the path they choose, they retain the same fervent and sincere enthusiasm for serving the nation.Author Ly Tuong Van researched "Vietnam's international relations as seen through the eyes of Professor Hoang Xuan Han.The author expresses his respect for Professor as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to the future and destiny of the nation, and empathizes with his national pride and aspiration to build a strong country to achieve a secure position:respected by neighboring countries, and admired by powerful nations."

Searching for the word in the book "Ly Thuong Kiet"(1949) up to the final concerns of Hoang Xuan Han when he sent letters to former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and General Vo Nguyen Giap on the issue of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, author Nguyen Bao Trang noted that in the 20th century he was the first Vietnamese researcher to set out to study borders and national sovereignty from land borders to sea and islands. MSc. Nguyen Hoai Phuong researched "Botanical SurveyHoang Xuan Han's work demonstrates his contribution to a rather "unusual" field of research: cuisine, even though...Hoang Xuan Han translated and annotated *A Study of Plants* as a historian researching a valuable document, and as a cultural figure wishing to preserve the cultural values ​​of our ancestors for future generations, rather than as a study of Vietnamese cuisine.Author Hoang Thi Hong Nga, on the other hand, offers insights into Professor Han's contributions to the Vietnamese diaspora in France in two aspects: promoting patriotism and national pride; and preserving and developing national cultural traditions, as well as fostering cultural exchange between East and West.

Speaking at the conference, Professor Phan Huy Le stated that future generations can learn much from Professor Hoang Xuan Han's scientific life. He was a great intellectual, always devoted to his homeland with deep affection and a constant desire to contribute to the country. Although a Vietnamese expatriate living in France, he retained his Vietnamese citizenship until his death – a rare feat for intellectuals at that time. He was also a genuine and honest scientist, valuing truth and striving to uncover it, even if that truth provoked much criticism and doubt from the public. Another aspect that the scientific community admires about Professor Hoang Xuan Han today is his emphasis on methodology and reasoning in his research. He once confided that the legacy of our ancestors is very rich, but unfortunately, there haven't been many worthy research works to bring those values ​​to the public and the world, simply because research methods are still too outdated. Professor Phan Huy Le agreed with this opinion. Professor Phan Huy Lê, Professor Vu Minh Giang, and Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc also believe that the highly interdisciplinary research methodology, which is not overly theoretical and places great importance on documentation, has made Professor Hoang Xuan Han's works of very high academic value, becoming a model for future generations.

Concluding the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke - Head of the Department of History - remarked:Hoang Xuan Han belongs to the ranks of those figures who did not need fame or recognition through large or small scientific conferences to become famous and discover the immense potential value in his work... His research works have lasting vitality and value for the national scientific community, embodying the attitude and specific qualities of a son of Vietnam who always longed and aspired to contribute to the country and the nation. Although he lived and worked in the 20th century, he belongs to the group of figures whose vitality and ability to impart knowledge transcend centuries.Professor Dinh Van Duc, on the other hand, believes that given Professor Hoang Xuan Han's stature and significant contributions in many fields, he deserves to be honored as one of the prominent figures who have contributed to the development of modern Vietnamese science. And his name deserves to be given to a major street in the capital city.

Thirteen years have passed since Professor Hoang Xuan Han's death, and according to an incomplete bibliography, there are already 75 articles related to his life and career. This conference is a continuation and deeper study and evaluation of the classic values ​​of his scientific research works in the fields of history, language, culture, education, etc. What can future generations learn from his valuable legacy, and how should this legacy be properly recognized and evaluated in the current context? These are questions that require many more conferences and in-depth research to provide satisfactory answers.