Two French scientists of Vietnamese origin received the Legion of Honor.

On the afternoon of October 3 in Hanoi , the French Embassy held a ceremony to award the Legion of Honor, Officer rank, the highest medal of France, to Professor-Doctor of Physics Jean Tran Thanh Van and Professor-Doctor of Biology Le Kim Ngoc.

They are two outstanding French scientists of Vietnamese origin, and are also senior researchers of the French National Agency for Scientific Research (CNRS).

Speaking at the ceremony, French Ambassador Olivier Brochet said this was a very special event because the Legion of Honor Officer is France's highest medal, and this is also a rare occasion for a married couple to receive this honor.

The Ambassador emphasized that the President of the French Republic made this special decision because the scientific careers of the two Professors were extremely rich and outstanding. They were also citizens who knew how to commit themselves to an outstanding journey, reaping many sweet fruits.

French Ambassador Olivier Brochet speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

With humble and profound words at the ceremony, Professor Tran Thanh Van said that the honor of receiving the medal was not only for him and his wife, but also for his family, colleagues, and young scientists who have always collaborated with him and his wife on the journey of connecting science.

In particular, talking about the two countries of Vietnam and France, he said: "France is the place that nurtured us since we were young, turning our dreams into reality. Vietnam is the place we always look towards. We wish to contribute science to Vietnam so that Vietnam can firmly stand on the international stage."

The most significant milestone in the careers of Professor Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc began in 1993 with the establishment of the international scientific conference "Rencontres du Vietnam". This initiative has become a prestigious scientific brand, held annually, bringing together hundreds of world-renowned scientists, including many Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners, to Vietnam to discuss diverse fields: from particle physics, astrophysics, mathematics to sustainable development sciences such as oceanography , biology and medicine.

With foresight, the two professors decided to reinvest all the revenue from the conferences to build the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh province, inaugurated in 2013. ICISE is not only a beautiful architectural work by the sea, but has quickly become a "Silicon Valley" of science in Vietnam and the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife met with Professor Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc during his visit to Vietnam in May 2025. (Photo: French Embassy)

In addition to their contributions to science, both professors, Jean Tran Thanh Van and Le Kim Ngoc, are also known for their philanthropy. Since 1970, they have founded the Association "Aide à l'enfance du Vietnam" (Help the Children of Vietnam) to help disadvantaged children.

Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van was born in 1936 in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh. He went to France to study in 1953. He received his PhD in physics from the University of Paris in 1963. He is a world-famous theoretical physicist in the field of elementary particle physics. Before founding "Meeting Vietnam", he was the founder of two famous physics conferences, "Meeting Moriond" (1966) and "Meeting Blois" (1989) in France, models that inspired him to bring cutting-edge science to Vietnam.

Professor Le Kim Ngoc, wife of Professor Tran Thanh Van, is also a talented scientist in the field of molecular biology at Paris-Sud University (now Paris-Saclay University). She has always accompanied and worked side by side with her husband in all scientific and charity projects. She played an important role in organizing and running the "Meet Vietnam" conferences and managing the activities of charity organizations, contributing greatly to the overall success of the tireless efforts for the homeland./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hai-nha-khoa-hoc-phap-goc-viet-nhan-huan-chuong-bac-dau-boi-tinh-post1067956.vnp