Eighty years after the August Revolution shattered the shackles of colonialism and fascism, that spirit remains intact in the exploratory steps of today's young intellectuals.
A role model for the younger generation of intellectuals.
Among the exemplary figures embodying the ideal of "learning for action, knowledge for contribution," there was an intellectual with fervent patriotism, who was also the first Chairman of Hanoi: Dr. Tran Duy Hung.
Born in 1912 in Hoa Thi village, now part of Xuan Phuong ward (Hanoi), Tran Duy Hung grew up amidst the flames of colonialism. Intelligent and studious, he went to France to study medicine and graduated with honors from the Paris Medical University – a source of pride for any young intellectual at the time. With his prestigious degree, he could have pursued fame or chosen a peaceful life in Europe. However, Dr. Tran Duy Hung resolutely returned to his homeland to practice medicine in Hanoi. While quietly treating patients and saving lives, he secretly participated in patriotic activities of the Viet Minh Front.
In 1945, when the August Revolution broke out, with his prestige among intellectuals and the people, he was trusted and elected Chairman of the Hanoi City Administrative Committee - the first chairman of the capital city. During those days, he also directly read the appeal to the people of Hanoi to support the revolutionary government, while actively organizing famine relief, caring for the wounded, and building a new administrative system for the city.
What is admirable about Dr. Tran Duy Hung is not only his leadership ability, but also his youthful spirit connected to practical reality. For him, knowledge is not limited to professional work, but must also be applied to life, guiding the will of young people. With his insightful and scientific revolutionary thinking, he left behind a humble image of an intellectual who dared to dedicate himself, disregarding fame and fortune, in the hearts of the people of Hanoi. Every day, on his old bicycle, he traveled along the streets to understand the people's situation, quietly visiting each hospital to monitor medical examination and treatment.
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Eighty years have passed since the esteemed Doctor Tran Duy Hung assumed the leadership of the capital city during a historic turning point for the nation. His journey – from a Western-educated doctor to a leader close to and serving the people – is a testament to the character and ideals of young Vietnamese intellectuals during a time of national change. And today, in the context of profound globalization, that spirit is still being preserved by the younger generation in general, and the new generation of young intellectuals in particular, with a spirit of persistent service and dedication on the vast crossroads of knowledge, which is increasingly being promoted in this era of national progress.
Female PhD holder with five patents.
For scientists passionately seeking new horizons in the field of advanced materials, locally injectable hydrogels hold a special appeal due to their effectiveness in wound healing, tissue regeneration, and improving patient health quickly and conveniently at home.
Over the years, Dr. Le Thi Phuong (Institute of Applied Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has not only mastered this new material but also improved several components and properties of hydrogel, such as its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and scar-reducing capabilities. Most importantly, the research of this scientist, born in 1988, has opened up a concrete path towards a commercial product with an affordable price, suitable for all patients.
To date, Dr. Le Thi Phuong has reaped a series of "sweet fruits" on her chosen path, most notably two exclusive international patents on injectable hydrogels using cyclodextrins to enhance gel adhesion, and a method for modifying the surface of cardiovascular support devices with heparin, catalyzing the production of nitric oxide in the body to reduce the risk of blood vessel blockage.
Notably, these research projects all possess high practical value, clear novelty, and superior economic efficiency compared to previous methods. Currently, some products based on the two international inventions of the female doctor have been tested on animals, progressing towards clinical trials on humans. All are aimed at developing commercial products to serve patients safely, effectively, and conveniently.
In addition, Dr. Le Thi Phuong also holds three other exclusive national patents and is the author/co-author of nearly 30 scientific articles published in international scientific journals listed in Q1, Q2, and Q4 categories of Scopus. In 2021, she won the Award for Outstanding Research by the Korean Society for Biomaterials. In 2022, the female scientist became one of ten individuals to receive the Golden Globe Science and Technology Award, presented by the Central Youth Union in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.
Few people know that, despite being familiar with the working environment in South Korea and having opportunities for career development there, Dr. Le Thi Phuong was determined to return to her homeland to continue her challenging journey and pass on her knowledge and experience to today's younger generation. She humbly believes: "I am just a tiny grain of sand in the ocean of knowledge."
Perhaps it is from this thought that every time she steps into the lecture hall, "teacher" Phuong always reminds her students to continuously absorb, learn, and improve themselves so that they can use their talents and knowledge to serve the nation and their homeland.
"Scientist" in his 20s on the front lines against tuberculosis
Dr. Nguyen Viet Hai (Vietnam Lung Association) developed an early passion for research and the exploration of new methods to improve public health. Born and raised in a family with a medical tradition, he was determined from a young age to continue the journey of healing and saving lives. After graduating with honors from Hanoi Medical University, the young man born in 1993 worked at the National Lung Hospital before pursuing his PhD at the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands). This was also the period when Nguyen Viet Hai devoted all his efforts to research on the prevention and control of a disease that kills millions of people worldwide every year.
Among these, the young scientist is most proud of his research on the epidemiological trends of tuberculosis in Vietnam from 2007 to 2017. The research results focus on providing evidence to support the gradual replacement of microscope systems with advanced techniques. Called GeneXpert, this technique allows for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in a short time with high accuracy through molecular biological testing.
In 2022, Dr. Nguyen Viet Hai's work was part of a scientific research group that won the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology. A year earlier, he also received a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Health for his achievements in coordinating clinical trials of Molnupiravir for the treatment of Covid-19, helping nearly 100,000 patients access the drug early. In 2023, the young scientist represented Vietnam in a speech at a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly ahead of the Summit on Ending Tuberculosis. At the age of 32, Hai has a total of 16 international scientific publications.
“All the research I conduct has a single goal: to promote and apply tuberculosis control research into practice, serving the community. Some of my studies have been rejected by scientific journals 3-4 times, but I have never given up. I believe that the most important thing for young people – especially young scientists – is perseverance in pursuing their goals, constantly improving themselves and their skills and knowledge until they achieve success,” shared Dr. Nguyen Viet Hai.
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Like the first Chairman of Hanoi, Tran Duy Hung, in his youth, Dr. Le Thi Phuong, Dr. Nguyen Viet Hai, and countless other young scientists remain steadfast in their goal of pursuing science not for personal gain or advancement. They simply want to serve the nation and protect public health – silently, persistently, and without seeking fame, in the true spirit of "putting the people first." In laboratories, hospitals, or lecture halls, they still cherish a common ideal: to use knowledge to serve their compatriots and to elevate the nation through science.
The young Vietnamese intellectuals are working together to continue the idealistic revolutionary dreams of previous generations. This forms a solid foundation for the aspiration of a strong, intelligent, humane, and sustainably developed Vietnam.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/mang-tri-thuc-phuc-vu-dong-bao-lay-khoa-hoc-nang-tam-dan-toc-post903449.html
![[Photo] General Secretary and President To Lam presides over the meeting to approve the draft report on the results of the second inspection by the Politburo of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/26/1779789811432_a2-bnd-4430-9620-jpg.webp)
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