Teacher's fairy garden

Peace was restored on October 10, 1954, the capital was liberated. I returned to Hanoi on the afternoon of October 20, 1954. After two days of walking, the last cyclo dropped me off in front of Hanoi train station. During the resistance war, the dreamy image of Hanoi, a distant and hazy place, had now set foot in the city. I immediately went to the university to inquire about the university entrance exam news. I could not help but be surprised by the large building of the university. I climbed more than forty white stone steps to reach the school office. Mr. Nhoan, the middle-aged man in charge of education, a stout man wearing white glasses, warmly told me: "Welcome candidates to come early. The school will only organize admissions in December." I had to wait and earn a living to get to the day I could enroll.

And that day came, the majestic university lecture hall, each person had a desk, a chair. There was a small semicircular stage, with a large table for the teacher to lecture. When we were introduced to the teachers who would teach, our hearts were filled with anticipation. Hearing their names, we thought the professors were seniors, with beautiful beards and hair, but in fact they were only in their fifties, still strong and handsome. Each teacher was given a Mercier bicycle by the school. Teacher Tran Duc Thao often rode straight up the hill to the entrance of the hall, parked his bike and went to class. Around him were many legends, some who had won many debates against French philosophers such as Jean Paul Sartres, some who were on the list of intellectuals from France invited by Uncle Ho with the advice that from the peak of idealistic philosophy, one could not go sideways but had to go down the mountain to gradually reach the peak of materialistic philosophy. In front of us was the teacher, with a high forehead, white glasses, a noble and simple appearance. Without books or papers, the teacher nodded slightly and held the microphone and spoke in one long breath as if he did not pay attention to the listeners. The class had prepared two chairs in the front row with chalk on the table for Nguyen Dinh Chu and Pham Hoang Gia to record. There was no recording, but the two of them recorded in time for the teacher to make some minor corrections and then print them out as a lesson. Tran Duc Thao was a true philosopher, not mixed with sociology or political philosophy, but a block, a pure, abstract, concise stream of thought. Along Hang Chuoi Street, sometimes you would see a person walking and waving his arms as if he was talking or arguing with someone. At first, the children found it strange and followed, but gradually got used to it. The teacher focused on his thoughts and paid little attention to life outside. From then on, after the days of teaching, his life was like a wanderer on the way to the holy land, having to endure many sufferings and finally being honored. When the teacher passed away, the family only had one close relative left. The teacher wished to have his grave brought back to his hometown. During the 50th anniversary meeting of our class, Professor Nguyen Dinh Chu discussed with the class that he would like to be the descendants to bring the teacher's grave back to his hometown. The locality welcomed and awaited the soul and the dry ashes of the great intellectual and philosopher to rest in his hometown, the land that was honored to have such a talented son.

I remember Mr. Dang Thai Mai, the old tree with many lush branches and leaves in the fairy garden. With a solemn appearance, sharp eyes, a discreet and kind smile, Mr. Mai was a teacher and a father not only to us but also to many of his beloved disciples. Studying with Mr. Mai for an hour was a memorable experience. I was fortunate to be his secretary. He assigned me to stay at school for a year to teach the classicism of French literature. He helped, analyzed and encouraged me to calmly teach. He came to observe the class, patted me on the shoulder and said: “No emotion”..The teacher sat in the outermost row, listening and looking out. After the lecture, he said: “That’s a good first step.” He taught me that the first word to write in an article or document is the date and the last word is the source. Without it, the document is worthless. He often wrote in Chinese characters, just a few lines with beautiful and free handwriting were enough to convey many ideas. He smoked a lot even though he was not in good health. Every time he came to work, he still sat on the bed leaning on a high pillow to lecture. He didn’t need any books to look up, everything was from memory. He taught me the works of Corneiller, Boileau, Racine and sometimes he would enthusiastically read a long passage from Racine or Corneiller. When leaving, he sometimes shook my hand. Actually, he just held his hand out horizontally, his fingers slightly drooping, and I only dared to hold his hand and then quickly let go. He nodded, smiled, and I asked permission to leave. Once I was sick, my teacher gave me a bottle of Soviet velvet (pantocrine) and said: "You must stay healthy, the work is long."

I remember Mr. Hoang Xuan Nhi, a tall man, not very old but with white hair. He studied and worked in France and Germany for many years, and was fluent in many foreign languages. During the resistance war against France, in charge of education in the South, he gathered in Hanoi and returned to teach the subject of Russian and Soviet Literature History, a new and leading subject. Mr. Nhi focused on learning Russian and in just a few months was able to translate books. The Vietnamese Student Newspaper No. 10, 1956 was published.Song of the Storm BirdGorky's translated by Mr. Nhi from the original Russian, he continued to attack Russian literature, translating theHistory of Marxist-Leninist AestheticsThousands of pages thick. Teacher Nhi is like a veteran in battle, protecting the Party's line, and daring in academia. On the Simson, he was active going back and forth. He taught Russian and Soviet literature, but he was especially interested in studying President Ho's poetry. The bookLearn about President Ho's poetryis the first book on Uncle Ho's poetry. His house is in Kim Lien area, two separate rooms contain many books. Once when I visited him in the evening, I saw a strange scene. He was sitting working. A large mosquito net covered the table to keep out mosquitoes. The light was on, the net was white and the professor with white hair looked like a Taoist priest practicing magic. He had a wide knowledge, was good at four foreign languages, and understood many French, German and Russian literatures, but he still especially respected revolutionary literature and poetry, the sacred land that had not been discovered. He was the head of the Literature Department until the end of the anti-American period. He said: "The longest serving Minister of Education was Nguyen Van Huyen, the longest serving Principal of the General University was Nguy Nhu Kontum and the longest serving Head of the Literature Department was me."

Different from the strong dynamism of teacher Hoang Xuan Nhi, teacher Cao Xuan Huy clearly has the characteristics of the Eastern style. Deeply understanding Eastern philosophy, understanding Chinese studies from the soul of the book to each word, teacher Cao Xuan Huy is an ancient tree that spreads shade, guiding people to kindness and tolerance. He advocates judo, the power of judo. He pays little attention to material needs and enjoyment. There are many anecdotes about him. He often walks slowly. Once by Thien Quang lake, children saw a handsome, gentle old man who looked a lot like Uncle Ho and ran up to him, shouting: "Ah Uncle Ho, we greet you, Uncle Ho". Teacher Huy smiled and waved his hand: "No, you are not Uncle Ho, you are a teacher". The children were surprised, clasped their hands in apology and also greeted him. Teacher Huy often worked at home in a quiet atmosphere. It is said that the house was empty so a thief sneaked in and stole his clothes from the yard. The teacher's beautiful clothes hanging on the line were stolen by a thief. Sitting in the house looking through the half-open door, the teacher said nothing. The thief felt safe and went back in to take the remaining pair of pants. Only then did the teacher speak up: “You should have left me one pair.” It was like a story from an old book, but it was true.

Also on that quiet line is Professor Nguyen Luong Ngoc. Professor Ngoc is one of the writers of Xuan Thu Nha Tap. He wroteStaticas if talking about his philosophy of life. His life is like a river that has gone through rapids and is now a quiet river whose depth cannot be measured. He is quiet, thoughtful, and polite to both subordinates and younger people. He is in charge of the subject of Literary Theory. When he lectures in class, his lectures are not engaging but deeply meaningful. Some people commented that some intellectuals in the pre-revolutionary period often practiced suppressing their emotions when faced with happy or sad events. Often keeping a calm face to suppress their emotions, perhaps this is a form of self-protection when they do not want others to clearly understand the development of their moods when faced with a certain event. He compiled the curriculum, receiving knowledge of this new subject from Soviet and Chinese theory books combined with his own extensive knowledge. In addition to teaching and leading the department, he also participated in all tasks, including going to the field to help people harvest rice.

Each teacher is a great book of knowledge, a valuable asset of a life full of experiences, a simple and noble lifestyle. Some teachers live quietly, deep in thought, some teachers are enthusiastic in teaching as well as in daily life. Teachers Tran Van Giau, Nguyen Manh Tuong, Truong Tuu are all orators. Teacher Tran Van Giau is a revolutionary who once led the revolutionary movement in the South and Saigon city. He studied Marxist philosophy, dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and the Vietnamese workers' movement. The strength and persuasiveness of his arguments is the combination of theory and practice, the philosopher and the man of action. His erudition and bold speech combined with his tall stature and open attitude gave him the appeal of a revolutionary orator who could speak loudly in front of thousands of people. He loved his students, and his students loved him very much and often gathered around him. Many students want to be his disciples and honor him as their master. He loves and cares for the quartet "Lam, Le, Tan, Vuong". Professor Nguyen Manh Tuong and Truong Tuu are the orators of the forum before the court or in the meeting room. Receiving two doctorates in law and literature at the age of over 20, Professor Nguyen Manh Tuong is also famous in the courts as a good lawyer. In court, the lawyer defends with sharp and polished speech combined with skillful manners and gestures, creating an attractive effect. In the lecture hall, he presents coherent lectures and his knowledge is expanded in both breadth and depth. Students are often afraid to approach him because they find him somewhat formal and serious. Professor Truong Tuu has a unique appearance. He is of average height or rather short, but he has a dignified and dignified posture. Professor Tuu teaches modern Vietnamese literature and is especially interested in authors Vu Trong Phung and Le Van Truong. Master Tuu has an attractive way of speaking, more like a speech than a lecture. Ideas are firmly established, words unfold in layers, both emphatic and pausing, and occasionally sprinkled with a satisfied smile. He especially has a beautiful mustache that can flicker to punctuate the story. Master Tuu was a subject of criticism during the Nhan Van Giai Pham movement due to his articles that were flawed in light of current events.

Now everything is over. Mr. Tran Van Giau has reached his great age (96 years old), the rest of the teachers have long since passed away. Many of them have their names on the streets such as Dang Thai Mai Street on West Lake, Pham Huy Thong Street near Ngoc Khanh Lake, Nguyen Khanh Toan Street in the city center... And more importantly, their works still stand the test of time, their lives are shining examples for future generations. They are ancient trees in the garden, growing stronger and stronger, their branches and leaves reaching up to the sky. Our university has a hundred years of history, but in terms of time, it is still modest compared to the great universities in the world. But we have had a generation of brilliant scholars in Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. Professors Ho Dac Di, Ton That Tung, Dang Van Ngu, Tran Huu Tuoc, Tran Dai Nghia, Le Van Thiem, whose intellectual talents once shone. Social Science professors are a proud team of pioneers and enlighteners. Forever the fairy garden of the teachers with green giant trees. Forever generations of students are grateful to the teachers, the beloved teachers of the university lecture hall and also the teachers of common life.

(Article published in Tet issue, Education and Times Newspaper, December 2007)