On 6 April, the scientific conference “Chu Van An – Nature of an Individual and his Professional Life” was held by the Centre for Scientific and Cultural Activities Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam at the Front Building in order to prepare for the completion of Professor Chu Van An’s profile to be recognized by UNESCO as well as the 650^th ceremony of  his death day in 2020. 

Figure 1: Delegates offered incense in front of Master Chu Van An statue

The Conference was attended by Mr. Pham Sanh Chau –Assistant for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mai Phan Dung – Deputy Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Vietnam, Mr. Truong Minh Tien – Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Mrs. Pham Thi Thu Huyen – Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Thanh Tri District, Dr. Luu Tran Tieu - Chairman of the Council of National Cultural Heritage and some other professors from the Institute of Chinese Studies.

Figure 2: Delegate was giving speech at the Conference.

Professor Chu Van An (1292-1370) was born in Quang Liet village, Thanh Tri District, Hanoi and his real name is “Linh Triet” and pen-name is “Tieu An”. Professor Chu Van An An was the principal of the very first university in Vietnam and the Crown Prince was directly taught by him. Due to those contributions, King Tran Nghe Tong had decided to worship Chu Van An in the Temple of Literature. Professor Chu Van An is a man with high integrity, throughout his life, he engaged to the process of training talents to serve the nation without demanding for his own benefits.

The Conference has received 17 speeches from scientists, focusing on those following topics:

1. Cultural and social environment affecting Professor Chu Van An’s personality

2. Chu Van An's personality

3. Professor Chu Van An’s contribution to the Culture and Education in Vietnam

4. Planning on the completion of Professor Chu Van An’s profile before submitting to UNESCO in the occasion of his 650^th death day ceremony

Figure 3: Mr. Truong Minh Tien, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, was giving speech at the Conference

According to Mr. Truong Minh Tien, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the Conference is not only to honor Professor Chu Van An, but also to have an insight view about his personality, professional life and his contribution to the nation and the world in general.

The Conference is significant to the process of building Chu Van An’s dossier to UNESCO.

Translator: Phuong Thao