Professor Hoang Chuong - The keeper of the national cultural soul

Professor - researcher, artist Hoang Chuong is a person dedicated to the mission of preserving national cultural heritage.

When mentioning him, colleagues and students who had the opportunity to work and accompany him in many programs and projects always remember the image of a respected teacher, dedicated and devoted, never giving up in the face of any difficulties...

From a young age, the boy from Binh Dinh showed his passion for traditional arts. At the age of 15, Hoang Chuong decided to take the entrance exam to the provincial music school, then joined the cadets and the Inter-zone V Art Troupe, then studied at the Soviet University of Theater (1962-1964), studied General Literature Course 8 (1964-1967), and did research in Romania (1969-1973). During his years of studying, he constantly studied, improved his knowledge, and nurtured the desire to preserve and promote national culture.

A notable mark of Professor Hoang Chuong is the restoration of the art of Bài Chòi in the North after 35 years of absence. An artist who collaborated with Professor Hoang Chuong in Bài Chòi restoration projects shared: “Mr. Chuong not only guided us in performance techniques but also conveyed his deep love for the national culture. He often talked about the folk songs and melodies he collected from folk artists, emphasizing that preserving these values ​​is preserving the history and soul of the nation.”

In 2017, UNESCO recognized Bài Chòi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Professor Hoang Chuong also left a deep mark in preserving other traditional art forms such as Tuong, Quan Ho, Hat Xam and Water Puppetry. He has staged more than 50 Tuong plays, including outstanding works such as "Ngon Lua Hong Son" or "Tran Quoc Toan Ra Quan", ... which were awarded gold and silver medals at professional theater festivals nationwide. In addition, Professor Hoa's research works

From monographs such as History of Vietnamese theater, Preserving and promoting the value of Bai Choi, to typical research works: Traditional theater issues, Bai Choi and folk songs of Lien Khu 5, Northern Tuong art, Tuong and national martial arts, Water puppetry art, 100 years of Cai Luong art and folk song and Bai Choi drama art,... are all valuable documents for researchers and performers.

In order to bring national art to the world , contributing to raising the position of Vietnamese culture in the international arena, he actively promoted exchanges and cooperation with countries such as Korea, the US, Japan, France, Romania... Many international seminars he organized have created good effects in the community such as "Tuong with foreign themes", "Similarities between Vietnamese and Korean culture", "Literature and art with Tay Son themes", "Vietnamese traditional music and theater with foreigners"...

Colleagues who have worked with Professor Hoang Chuong expressed their admiration for his dedication to cultural projects. Because he is not only excellent in theory but also pays great attention to practical details.

He can sing Tuong, Bai Choi, etc. vividly. That is how he convinces others. He once pointed out: “Researchers must stick to reality, must know how Tuong, Cheo, Cai Luong, Bai Choi, Ca Hue , etc. exist and develop. To know, one must go to see plays in theaters, festivals, and performances, and at the same time, must conduct sociological research through many sources”. His enthusiasm is a great source of inspiration for friends and colleagues.

Professor Hoang Chuong was awarded the First Class Labor Medal by the State in 2005 and was one of the 10 most outstanding scientists at the National Emulation Congress - Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations in 2010. In 2021, Professor Hoang Chuong was honored by the President with the title of Labor Hero in the Renovation Period and was honored by Hanoi City as an Outstanding Citizen of the Capital.

Professor Hoang Chuong's contributions do not stop at preserving heritage but also in the way he breathes life into them, opening up dimensions for them to come alive in modern life. One of Professor Hoang Chuong's outstanding contributions is his initiative and implementation of projects to bring folk art into extracurricular programs and cultural activities in schools, helping students approach and appreciate their ancestors' heritage more. Typical examples are the school theater project, the project to bring traffic culture into the community through mass media and cultural and artistic forms.

He believes that “if we want our national culture not to be lost, we must sow seeds in the souls of the young generation”. He puts a lot of effort into these projects because he believes that young people will understand, love and continue the journey of preserving the Vietnamese national culture that previous generations have spent so much effort to build. Because according to him, it is proof that folk knowledge is passed down and connected through generations.

In 2021, Professor Hoang Chuong was awarded the title of Hero of Labor in the Renovation Period by the President. In his final years, he still maintained his clarity of mind and passion. The image of a professor leaning on a cane, passionately talking about traffic culture or national values ​​in a discussion at the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, has been engraved in the minds of many people.

Professor Hoang Chuong passed away on the afternoon of June 5, 2025, leaving many people disappointed. Young artist Mai Tuyet Hoa (Xam Ha Thanh group) was the first to post news of the teacher's passing on Facebook. Mai Tuyet Hoa said that on the afternoon of June 4, she had just visited the Professor, and he still recognized her even though he could not speak. As a lucky person to be taught and guided by Professor Hoang Chuong, artist Mai Tuyet Hoa admired her teacher's tireless work and determination, and his passion in work as well as in life: "We young artists really cannot keep up, because the Professor works tirelessly, his phone is always on fire. The Professor never surrenders or gives up, no matter how difficult the work is."

As the founder of the Center for Research, Preservation and Promotion of Vietnamese Ethnic Culture, operating in the condition of "bare-handed fighting", but with the determination, talent and resourcefulness of Professor Hoang Chuong, the Center has implemented many meaningful projects for the community, contributing to honoring the national culture. He has created this place into a trusted address in connecting artisans, scholars, managers, artists and the public.

Professor Hoang Chuong's career is a journey of inspiration for generations of artists, especially the young, as an example of a passionate and dedicated researcher and artist, always concerned about how to preserve the national cultural identity. Professor Hoang Chuong's efforts have contributed to bringing Vietnamese culture to the world, and helping the younger generation realize the value of their roots, as he once shared: "Culture is not only the memory of the nation but also the luggage for integration and development. If we lose our identity, we will lose ourselves."

MESSAGE

Source: https://nhandan.vn/giao-su-hoang-chuong-nguoi-gin-giu-hon-cot-van-hoa-dan-toc-post884919.html