Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs posthumously awarded Professor Phan Huy Le a certificate of merit

On the afternoon of October 17, at his private residence in Hanoi, Japanese Ambassador Umeda Kunio held a ceremony to posthumously award a certificate of merit to honor Professor Phan Huy Le.

The certificate of merit from Japanese Foreign Minister Kono Taro expressed deep gratitude for Professor Le's great contributions in promoting Japan-Vietnam academic exchanges and training Japanese research experts. He also introduced the Dong Du Movement to the people, contributing to enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries.

Japanese Ambassador presents certificate of merit to Professor Phan Huy Le's wife. Photo: VT.

Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Umeda praised Professor Phan Huy Le as not only a leading Vietnamese historian but also a scholar with profound knowledge of Japan-Vietnam relations.

The Ambassador reviewed three outstanding contributions of Professor Le, including his great dedication to the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association when he took on the role of Vice President of the Association since 1987.

He participated in organizing many cultural exchange events, including the International Conference on the conservation of Hoi An ancient town relics in 1990. The success of this event was closely linked to the project to preserve the ancient town in cooperation with Japan as well as the inscription of Hoi An ancient town into the UNESCO world heritage list.

"Professor Phan Huy Le has made great contributions to clarifying the historical close relationship between Hoi An and Japan since around the 16th century, contributing to building the foundation for the current friendly exchange," Ambassador Umeda emphasized.

As President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association since 1988, Professor Le has trained many Vietnamese experts in Japanese research.

He directed the successful organization of the Vietnam - Japan Conference on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Dong Du movement in 2005; the 70th anniversary of the death of patriot Phan Boi Chau and the 100th anniversary of the death of doctor Asaba Sakitaro in 2010.

"Thanks to the above events, many Japanese and Vietnamese people learned about the Eastern Travel Movement as well as the loyal friendship between patriot Phan Boi Chau and doctor Asaba Saikitaro," said the Ambassador.

Another important contribution of Professor Le is the development of a high-quality Japanese studies major in the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Hanoi National University. The Faculty of Oriental Studies has become a model for many universities in the country.

"I still have many things I want to ask the professor, so I am deeply saddened by his passing," Ambassador Umeda said emotionally about the professor's passing.

Attending the ceremony in a wheelchair, Mrs. Hoang Nhu Lan, wife of Professor Phan Huy Le, and her family were very moved. She represented the family to thank the Japanese Foreign Minister and the Embassy in Vietnam.

She said that in his youth, Professor Le was directly taught by many "Western-educated" scholars such as Dao Duy Anh, Tran Van Giau, Nguyen Manh Tuong, Tran Duc Thao...

Therefore, from a very early age, he was aware of the importance of cultural diversity, academic freedom and the role of international cooperation. During his research and training, he went beyond the limits of a specialized field, a certain historical period, beyond the scope of research on a nation, a country, to expand his interdisciplinary vision and build an international cooperation network.

The Vietnam Research Center he founded has received many Japanese researchers and international students and supported them.

"My husband not only has Japanese friends who are researchers but also has cooperative relationships with many officials of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. Over the past 40 years, as a scholar, my husband has made efforts to contribute to deepening understanding between the two countries," Ms. Hoang Nhu Lan shared.

Professor Phan Huy Le passed away on June 23 in Hanoi. He was born in 1934 in Loc Ha, Ha Tinh. He left behind a huge legacy of history books and at the end of his life devoted himself to building the largest National History ever. As a great figure in Vietnamese historiography, he advocated the view of writing historyobjective, whole, comprehensivewith the desire to fill the gaps in the country's history.

He was awarded the title of professor in 1980; People's Teacher in 1994; State Prize (2000); Fukuoka International Prize for Asian Culture, Japan (1996); French Academic Palm Medal (2002); title of Foreign Correspondent of the Academy of Inscriptions and Fine Arts of the French Academy (2011); Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science (2016).