The untold story of the Vietnamese Math professor who cleverly outwitted the CIA

In modern Vietnamese history, there are few figures who simultaneously play three roles: an outstanding scientist , a loyal intelligence officer, and an exemplary teacher. Professor, Doctor of Science, Major General Nguyen Dinh Ngoc (1932–2006) is one of the few such people. He was the only Vietnamese mathematician to be promoted to the rank of general in the People's Public Security force, and at the same time a single-line spy operating in the heart of Saigon for two decades before liberation.

Professor, Doctor of Science, Major General Nguyen Dinh Ngoc (1932–2006). Photo: Document.

Intelligence Major General in "eccentric professor" uniform

Professor Nguyen Dinh Ngoc was born on August 13, 1932 in Phuong Duc commune, Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi , into an intellectual family. His father was Dr. Nguyen Dinh Diep, a patriot. At the end of 1947, father and son were arrested by the French colonialists. Before being taken away, the father told his son: "Try to study and help others study, our people suffer first of all because of ignorance." That advice became Nguyen Dinh Ngoc's lifelong guiding principle.

In 1953, he joined the intelligence force of the Vietnam People's Public Security. Two years later, he was sent to France to study. Here, with his outstanding intelligence, he completed three engineering degrees in Hydrology - Meteorology, Shipbuilding and Telecommunications. Next, he successfully defended two national doctoral theses in Geography and Mathematics under the guidance of Professor Charles Ehresmann, a great name in the world of Mathematics.

He has taught at many prestigious universities in France such as the Naval University, the Telecommunications University, and the Sorbonne University. He is also one of the first two Vietnamese to pass the entrance exam to the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) of Paris, along with Professor Le Van Thiem.

In 1966, he decided to return to Vietnam, leaving his wife and children in France. In Saigon, he became a professor at the Saigon University of Science and lectured at many other universities. To conceal his spy identity, he built the image of an “eccentric professor”: living alone, eating only one meal a day, no alcohol or cigarettes, walking or cycling even though he could buy a car, living in a room with 7 layers of locks, no valuables, only books.

Many people said that Professor Nguyen Dinh Ngoc walked, even though he could have driven a car. Later, he revealed that this was a way to distract those following him. He deliberately chose to walk against traffic on a one-way street, causing those who were tailing him on motorbikes or cars to give up because they could not keep up. Walking like that, he could also look into the car windows to detect who was following him. That eccentric appearance turned out to be a sophisticated cover for an intelligence soldier in the heart of Saigon.

He also studied and used Astrology as a tool to approach the upper class of Saigon, thereby gathering intelligence. He became one of the most prestigious Astrologers in Vietnam at that time.

Towards the end of the war, the CIA and the Saigon secret service began to suspect and monitor him. However, they only saw an intellectual who spent all day teaching, researching and socializing with Saigon intellectuals. Despite being closely followed, he maintained his role, not revealing any flaws.

Important news before liberation

Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Dinh Ngoc repeatedly provided important, timely and accurate intelligence information to the commanding level. This included giving a 72-hour warning to the Central Office for Southern Vietnam to evacuate in time, avoiding a large-scale enemy sweep into the "hollow" base area in early 1970. He also announced early on the Lon Nol - Sirik Matak coup that overthrew King Sihanouk and warned that the new pro-American government would not tolerate the presence of the headquarters of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on Cambodian soil.

In particular, on April 26, 1975, when the war situation changed rapidly, he received an urgent directive from Mr. Hai Tan: "The Central Committee urgently needs to know: Will the US return to save the Saigon government or not?". With his elite expertise and extensive network of relationships, he quickly verified and reported accurately: the US army would not return. That information contributed significantly to the strategic decision to attack and liberate Saigon on April 30, 1975.

After the country was reunified, Professor Nguyen Dinh Ngoc learned that during the crucial days of the 1975 Spring General Offensive, the Strategic Command received three independent intelligence sources, all confirming that the US would not return to intervene.

Those three bulletins came from three key spies: Major General Pham Xuan An in the guise of a Time magazine reporter; Mr. Dinh Van De, a congressman and Chairman of the National Defense Committee of the Saigon regime's House of Representatives; and Professor Dr. Nguyen Dinh Ngoc himself. Mr. Ngoc's bulletin was sent to the supreme command exactly 24 hours before the historic general attack on the nerve center of the Republic of Vietnam government.

Simple life and silent sacrifice

After the country was reunified, he continued working for a while before retiring. In 1989, he moved to Hanoi, working at the Ministry of the Interior (now the Ministry of Public Security). He held many important positions, including being the Director of the Department of Telecommunications and Information Technology (Ministry of Public Security) and Deputy Head of the State Information Technology Steering Committee. He was promoted to Major General in the late 1990s.

Major General Nguyen Dinh Ngoc is a symbol of intelligence, patriotism and silent sacrifice.

He is also the pioneer in the training and development plan for the Vietnamese information technology industry, and is the founder of the Vietnam Information Technology Association and the Vietnam Radio and Electronics Association.

Despite his many achievements, he still lived a simple and private life. It was not until after his retirement in 2002 that the public gradually learned about his true identity. However, even though writers and journalists sought him out, he only talked about Mathematics and Computer Science – revealing absolutely nothing more about his intelligence past.

He passed away on May 2, 2006 at Hospital 198 (Ministry of Public Security) due to cancer. Professor, Doctor of Science, Major General Nguyen Dinh Ngoc is a symbol of intelligence, patriotism and silent sacrifice. His life is a testament to the combination of science and intelligence, of intelligence and courage, of simplicity and great contributions to the country.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/chuyen-chua-ke-ve-giao-su-toan-viet-muu-tri-qua-mat-cia-post1544549.html