History professor Phan Huy Le has just passed away at the age of 84.

Professor Phan Huy Le. Photo: Nguyen Khanh

Professor - Doctor Pham Hong Tung, Director of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences (Hanoi National University), said: "Professor Phan Huy Le passed away at 1:06 pm this afternoon after three weeks in the hospital.

When he was hospitalized, the leaders of the Ministry of Health, as well as the leaders of Bach Mai Hospital, were very concerned, inviting leading professors to focus on diagnosing and treating him. But due to old age and poor health, he did not survive."

Professor - Doctor Pham Hong Tung said that in early June, despite his old age, Professor Phan Huy Le still joined the delegation to Truong Sa. He is the oldest person in the delegation.

When he returned to Hanoi, his health was still normal. But a few days later, his family noticed he was tired and took him to Bach Mai Hospital.

Here, doctors diagnosed him with heart disease and prescribed a stent to clear the arteries.

The medical team at Bach Mai Hospital tried their best to save him. However, due to his old age and poor health, combined with his previous high blood pressure and stroke, Professor Phan Huy Le did not survive.

"When he returned from Truong Sa, he was very happy. While in the hospital, he still thought he was working. Once, he told his daughter, 'I forgot to turn off the computer.' He still wanted to work until the last minute," Professor - Doctor Pham Hong Tung shared.

President Tran Dai Quang presents the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology to History Professor Phan Huy Le. Photo: Nguyen Khanh

Professor, People's Teacher Phan Huy Le was born on February 23, 1934 in Thach Chau commune, Loc Ha district, Ha Tinh province.

He is a descendant of the same family as Minister and diplomat Phan Huy Ich, scholar Phan Huy Chu, and Minister and culturalist Phan Huy Vinh.

Professor Phan Huy Le is the most famous Vietnamese historian in the contemporary Vietnamese historian community. He was the former President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, Chairman of the Science and Training Council for the Center for Vietnamese Studies and Cultural Exchange which developed into the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences (2004-2009).

He is an intellectual who is devoted to his country. He was awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the Third Class Independence Medal.