A conversation with Professor Tran Van Tho – An inspiring learning opportunity for VLU students

On the morning of June 5, 2025, students of Van Lang University (VLU) had the honor of meeting Professor Tran Van Tho, Honorary Professor at Waseda University (Tokyo, Japan), at a special event: the book talk and exchange program for “Memories of the Future: Thoughts on Vietnam’s Culture, Education, and Path to Development”.

VLU students are fortunate to regularly meet distinguished scholars through meaningful academic and cultural events held at the university. These events serve as extended “classrooms” where students not only acquire elite knowledge but are also inspired by the values of research, creativity, and dedication to social contribution.

On this occasion, Van Lang University’s community was privileged to welcome Professor Tran Van Tho for the second time. A Doctor of Economics and Honorary Professor at Waseda University, Professor Tho has served on the Economic Advisory Council to multiple Japanese Prime Ministers. During his first visit to Van Lang University in December 2023, he participated in the academic conference “The Enduring Thoughts of the ‘Father of Economics’ – Adam Smith” as a leading economic expert. This time, he brought with him a profound “gift” for the university community – his newly published book “Memories of the Future” (May 2025). The warm and engaging conversation offered insights into another side of him, with his deep passion for art, culture, literature, music, and his enduring love for home country – Vietnam.

Professor Tran Van Tho is one of the most influential Vietnamese-origin intellectuals in the field of international economics and development policy. Serving as a bridge between Vietnamese and Japanese cultures, he has significantly contributed to both academic discourse and national development strategies. As a rare foreign member of the Economic Advisory Council of Japan’s Prime Minister, he has also played an important advisory role in shaping Vietnam’s policy landscape. His work reflects a far-sighted vision, a sharp analysis of development trends, and a remarkable ability to connect global intellectual communities for the sustainable advancement of his homeland.

“Memories of the Future” is the culmination of more than 40 years of study, teaching, and research in Japan. It harmoniously blends autobiography, academic insight, and strategic vision. Through the lens of a Vietnamese intellectual navigating two cultures and economies, the book vividly portrays the Vietnam-Japan relationship while offering deep reflections on life ideals, civic responsibility, and national development for younger generations.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, President of Van Lang University, shared with the students: “As you turn each page of this book, I believe you will be surprised not only by its incisive economic analysis but also by the poetry, those heartfelt words tied to people, memories, and the humanistic spirit of Van Lang. That emotional resonance makes this book more than a research project; it is a vibrant journey of a teacher, a great intellectual. Through this journey, each of us, especially students, can draw invaluable lessons in perseverance, intellectual loyalty, and faith in the future”.

Joining the event were researcher Tran Huu Phuc Tien, a longtime friend of Professor Tran Van Tho and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Hoang, Dean of the Faculty of Finance and Banking (VLU). Their discussion skillfully connected the professor’s scholarly contributions with Vietnam’s political, economic, and social contexts, offering participants valuable knowledge and encouraging reflection on civic responsibility and the development of “social competence” for national progress.

The heartfelt messages from Professor Tran Van Tho and researcher Tran Huu Phuc Tien resonated deeply with VLU students. Their words emphasized that patriotism begins with the simplest acts: love and preservation of the Vietnamese language, persistence in the pursuit of knowledge, and pride in being students of a university bearing the name of the nation’s first kingdom – Van Lang.

The interactive Q&A session between guests, students, and speakers created an atmosphere of excitement and introspection. Numerous student questions revolved around personal development in a globalized context, the role of young intellectuals in national growth, and the preservation of cultural identity in the digital age. The speakers shared practical experiences from their academic journeys, research, and policy involvement, while encouraging students to cultivate active learning habits, engage in critical thinking, strengthen their expertise, and embrace their roles as responsible citizens.

News: BP. - Nguyen Khang
Photos: Dien Khanh