Visiting the hometown of Doctor A. Yersin

In October 2025, a delegation from Khanh Hoa province visited Switzerland – a peaceful country renowned for its watchmaking. The trip, which included exploring the ancient city of Bern and visiting and working in the canton of Vaud – the birthplace of the famous scientist Alexandre Yersin – left a lasting impression on everyone.

Slow living with Bern

Bern, the ancient capital of Switzerland, over 800 years old, welcomed us with the golden sunlight of early autumn as the leaves began to change color. Unlike other European capitals, Bern is gentle and peaceful, like a landscape painting framed centuries ago. The ancient charm of the old town, the winding blue Aare River, and the slow, poetic pace of life create an elegant, captivating, and unique atmosphere. Crossing the Nydeggbrücke bridge over the Aare River leads us to Bern's old town. The cobblestone streets through the old town lead us past limestone buildings, graceful medieval arches, and Renaissance fountains. Inside these old buildings are elegantly and beautifully displayed designer shops and souvenir stores. Outside, tourists stroll leisurely, enjoying the scenery. It seems that the fast pace of the industrial age has not affected the private lives of the local residents at all. The locals mainly get around by bicycle, tram, etc.

A view of Bern's old town from the Nydeggbrücke bridge spanning the Aare River.

On our way, we stopped to visit Albert Einstein's house on Kramgasse Street – where he lived for five years and discovered the Theory of Relativity. Inside the house, or rather, an apartment, is a small museum displaying images of Albert Einstein, while the exterior is simple, bearing the German inscription "Albert Einstein Haus - 1902-1907." On the porch, a table and a few potted plants create a charming little tea house where visitors can rest and contemplate. Looking at the picture of Albert Einstein and then at the peaceful old town, I wondered: Could it be that the slow pace of life in Bern gave him the space to contemplate and discover the Theory of Relativity – a great discovery that completely changed our understanding of space, time, and gravity?

Swiss watchmaking has become a world- renowned masterpiece. In the heart of Bern's Old Town, visitors can admire one of these wonders: the Zytglogge clock tower. Built in the early 13th century, coinciding with the founding of Bern, and surviving a fire in 1405 before being rebuilt in 1771, this clock tower still stands tall as a witness to Bern's enduring history. Every day at precisely noon, the clock in the ancient tower chimes loudly, much to the eager anticipation of thousands of visitors. It's not just a countdown of time, but also an echo of history, a reminder of the enduring value of culture.

"My Old Hometown" by A. Yersin

Leaving Bern, the delegation continued their visit to Morges (in the canton of Vaud), the birthplace of Dr. A. Yersin, who dedicated almost his entire life to Nha Trang. According to many documents, Yersin was born at the Lavaux gunpowder factory near Aubonne, where his father worked as a foreman. However, in reality, just a few weeks after his birth, his family had to move to Morges following the sudden death of his father from a brain hemorrhage at the age of 38. Yersin's mother bought the house at 22 Lausanne Street in Morges – a small, peaceful city on the shores of Lake Léman. From childhood until the end of high school, Yersin grew up and studied in Morges. He only left at the age of 19 to complete his secondary education and study medicine in Lausanne. Thus, Morges is truly the "homeland" that holds the most memories of Yersin's youth. Out of love and pride for Yersin, the city of Morges named a street Rue Dr Yersin in his memory.

The delegation from Khanh Hoa province laid a wreath in remembrance of A. Yersin at the memorial plaque on the street named after him in the city of Morges.

Autumn in Morges is breathtakingly beautiful. Along Lake Léman, the trees turn golden, boats are moored peacefully, and in the distance, the snow-capped Alps stretch out. The old town, with its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and ancient castle, is enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere. Visiting Morges helps one understand why A. Yersin chose Nha Trang as his residence for 50 years. This is because the city, situated on the shores of Lake Léman (which thrived on river transport and fishing), shares many similarities with Nha Trang, as Professor Jacques-Henri Penseyres (who once worked in Morges) remarked: “On our first visit to Nha Trang in 2006, we immediately understood that Yersin had found a little bit of his homeland there: water, sun, mountains, fishermen, and sailboats…”

We laid flowers at the Yersin memorial on the street named after him and at the house number 22 where he once lived on Lausanne Street. Not many traces of the past remain, but everyone was happy to have visited the place where Yersin grew up, where he early showed a passion for scientific discovery and exploring the world. It was this passion that led Yersin to leave glamorous Paris and come to Indochina (then a French colony), where he spent the rest of his life in Nha Trang.

Albert Einstein's house is in the old town of Bern.

Yes! A. Yersin chose not to return to the glamorous city of Paris, nor to his hometown of Morges, but to rest in Khanh Hoa, forever remaining in the land he loved. His tomb on the small hill in Suoi Dau, his house on the summit of Hon Ba, the A. Yersin Museum… have become precious legacies for Khanh Hoa. During a meeting with the Vaud cantonal government and the University of Lausanne (where Yersin studied medicine before going to Germany and France, becoming an outstanding disciple of Louis Pasteur), the Khanh Hoa delegation screened a documentary about Yersin's years in Khanh Hoa. It showcased not only Yersin's great career but also the affection the people of Khanh Hoa held for him. During that meeting, Ms. Christelle Luisier Brodard – President of the Vaud Cantonal Council – emphasized: “Yersin's legacy is a special cultural and scientific bridge between Vaud and Khanh Hoa.” And we also believe that, building on the legacy of A. Yersin, Vietnam and Switzerland – two peace-loving countries – will have a strong and positive relationship.

XUAN THANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202602/tham-que-huongbac-si-ayersin-0fd4c7a/