Doctor devoted his life to Vietnamese medicine

A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Hanoi Medical University visited and congratulated the family of Associate Professor, Doctor Do Doan Dai (holding a bouquet of flowers) on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27, 2025).

Associate Professor, Doctor, Physician Do Doan Dai, former Vice Principal of Hanoi Medical University; former Director of Bach Mai Hospital; former Head of the Department of Training, Ministry of Health (now the Department of Science, Technology and Training) passed away on the last day of August, at the age of 100.

Associate Professor, Doctor Do Doan Dai is one of the great trees of Vietnamese medicine; considered the next generation of professors trained and matured at Hanoi Medical University after professors: Dang Van Ngu, Ton That Tung, Dang Van Chung, Nguyen Buu Trieu...

With more than half a century of working and holding many important positions at Hanoi Medical University, Bach Mai Hospital and the Ministry of Health, Associate Professor Do Doan Dai has always been a shining example, a dedicated teacher and physician who has devoted all his intelligence and passion to the cause of education and health of the country, especially he has made many contributions and had great influence on the Vietnamese health system.

Associate Professor, Doctor Do Doan Dai was born on December 1, 1926 in a Confucian family with a tradition of patriotism in Chuong Duong commune, Thuong Tin district (formerly), Hanoi city. Early awakening to the revolution, he joined the National Salvation Youth before 1945, joined the Armed Propaganda Team to seize power in Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh in June 1945, seized power in Hung Yen province in August 1945 and was appointed Vice Chairman of the Provisional Revolutionary People's Committee of Hung Yen town.

Graduated as a doctor during the resistance war against French colonialism, for 9 long years, Doctor Do Doan Dai served in military units and was known as the "King of enemy rear medical staff" with many outstanding achievements in the left bank military zone of the Red River. He was assigned to be the Head of the Left Bank Military Medical Department, Acting Head of the Supply Department of the Left Bank Command; in 1953-1954, he was in charge of the Deputy Director of the 108 Military Hospital in the Viet Bac War Zone. In December 1959, he transferred to the Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy (now Hanoi Medical University). In 1966-1969, he held the position of Vice Principal of Hanoi Medical University, together with the leadership and students, overcoming the difficulties of the destructive war, successfully completing the task of teaching, training and supporting the southern battlefield.

In 1969, he was appointed as the Hospital Director (Director) of Bach Mai Hospital. During his 14 years leading the largest general hospital in the North at that time, he made important contributions to strengthening the staff and developing the Vietnamese health sector. The image of the tall, thin, dedicated, dynamic and responsible hospital director has been deeply imprinted in the memories of many generations of doctors and nurses. His brave and decisive decision to evacuate and avoid bombs saved the lives of many cadres, employees and patients during the B52 bombing of the hospital on December 22, 1972. That is an unforgettable memory, a profound lesson about the vision and courage of a great teacher.

In 1972, Bach Mai Hospital was bombed four times by the American invaders. There was an opinion that the hospital needed to move all its people and medical equipment to a safe place, but for the doctors, the people were still here, the soldiers were still here, Hanoi was still here, if the hospital was gone, who would be there to treat the sick?

Leaving Hanoi Medical University, Associate Professor Do Doan Dai assumed the position of Director of the Training Department (now the Department of Science, Technology and Training, Ministry of Health). In his new position, he continued to make many important contributions to the training and development of the country's medicine. With simplicity, closeness and sincerity, he built a united and strong collective, making the Department one of the leading outstanding units of the Ministry of Health.

In 2006, the Association of Former Teachers of Hanoi Medical University was established. He held the position of Vice President of the Association, then President of the Association, and was also a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Teachers' Association until 2014.

With his contributions to the revolutionary cause and the health sector, Associate Professor, Doctor Do Doan Dai was awarded many noble awards by the Party and the State: Revolutionary Veteran title; 80-year Party membership badge; Second-class Independence Medal; First-class Labor Medal; First-class Resistance War Medal against America, for national salvation... and many other noble medals, orders and awards.

His passing is a great loss to his family, to Hanoi Medical University, to Bach Mai Hospital and the Vietnamese medical sector, leaving behind endless sorrow in the hearts of many generations of students, colleagues and patients. The image of a teacher and physician who was simple and devoted all his life will forever be in the hearts of generations of teachers and students of the school, those who are following in his footsteps, determined to bring Hanoi Medical University to new heights.

Professor, Dr. NGUYEN HUU TU

Rector of Hanoi Medical University

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thay-thuoc-cong-hien-tron-doi-cho-y-hoc-viet-nam-post906037.html