Recently, representatives of functional departments and affiliated units of Thai Nguyen University (TNU) had the honor of meeting and holding discussions with Professor Ahn Kyong Hwan, a distinguished scholar of the Republic of Korea who has devoted nearly four decades to the study, teaching, and promotion of Vietnamese culture, history, and literature in Korea.
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Prof. Ahn Kyong Hwan and representatives of the functional departments and affiliated units of Thai Nguyen University
During the meeting, Professor Ahn shared valuable insights and memorable experiences from his longstanding engagement with Vietnam. He recalled that his first visit to Vietnam was in 1989, at a time when the country remained relatively unfamiliar to the Korean public and the Korean community in Vietnam was still very limited in number. Motivated by his early experiences, Professor Ahn chose to dedicate his academic career to Vietnam, continuously conducting research, teaching, and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the peoples of the two nations over the past 37 years.
As one of Korea’s leading scholars in Vietnamese Studies, Professor Ahn is widely recognized for his outstanding contributions to translating and introducing Vietnamese literary masterpieces to Korean audiences. Through his scholarly efforts, many celebrated works of Vietnamese literature, including The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du, Prison Diary by President Ho Chi Minh, and Dang Thuy Tram’s Diary, have been translated, studied, and widely disseminated in the Republic of Korea, thereby contributing significantly to the promotion of Vietnamese cultural values abroad.
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A leadership representative of the Department of Science, Technology and Foreign Affairs, TNU, presenting a souvenir to Prof. Ahn Kyong Hwan.
Beyond his translation and academic activities, Professor Ahn has actively organized numerous academic conferences, exhibitions, and cultural exchange programs aimed at introducing Vietnam’s history, culture, and humanistic values to the Korean public. His enduring commitment has made an important contribution to strengthening cultural connectivity, enhancing mutual understanding, and deepening the friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea. In recognition of these remarkable contributions, Professor Ahn was honored in 2014 as one of twelve foreign nationals to be awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Hanoi.
During discussions with representatives of Thai Nguyen University, Professor Ahn noted that this was his second visit to Thai Nguyen Province and his first official visit and working session at Thai Nguyen University. He expressed his admiration for the University’s scope, development potential, and outstanding achievements as a major center for higher education and scientific research in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region of Vietnam. Professor Ahn also expressed his hope that, in the coming years, he and his Korean partners would be able to promote a wide range of practical cooperation initiatives with Thai Nguyen University in the fields of education, scientific research, and cultural exchange.
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Prof. Ahn Kyong Hwan pays a working visit to the School of Foreign Languages, Thai Nguyen University.
The meeting not only opened up promising prospects for future cooperation between Thai Nguyen University and partners from the Republic of Korea, but also provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on the important role of education, culture, and academic collaboration in fostering sustainable international partnerships. The lifelong dedication and contributions of Professor Ahn Kyong Hwan serve as a vivid testament to the power of scholarship and intercultural understanding in bringing nations closer together and further strengthening the flourishing friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.
