Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van and his wife Le Kim Ngoc will be awarded the Legion of Honor Officer in Hanoi.

Professor Tran Thanh Van (right) and Professor Le Kim Ngoc (left) took a photo with the French President and his wife at a reception in Hanoi during the French President's visit to Vietnam. Photo: ICISE.

The French Embassy has just announced that on October 3, it will hold a ceremony to award the Legion of Honor, Officer rank, the highest medal of France, to two outstanding French scientists of Vietnamese origin, who are also senior researchers of the National Agency for Scientific Research (CNRS - France): Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van, PhD in Physics, and Professor Le Kim Ngoc, PhD in Biology.

Previously, on July 11, on the occasion of the French National Day (July 14), the President of the French Republic issued a decree to promote the Legion of Honor to the rank of Officer (Officer - Fourth Class) for the couple Professor Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc. This year, the two professors are both 91 years old. They are the only couple to be promoted at the same time.

On July 18, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang sent a letter of congratulations to Professor Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said that the promotion of this noble Medal is not only a worthy recognition for the two Professors' steadfast journey and tireless dedication to science and the younger generation, but also a source of pride for the overseas Vietnamese community and the homeland of Vietnam.

Professors Tran Thanh Van and Le Kim Ngoc were awarded the Legion of Honor (Chevalier - Fifth Class) in 2000 and 2016, respectively.

The Legion of Honor was established in 1802, with 5 ranks. This is the highest award of the French state, given to those who have contributed to the military and civilian fields.

The announcement of the French Embassy on September 29 noted that Professors Tran Thanh Van and Le Kim Ngoc have devoted their entire lives, all their energy and personal assets to the development of science and strengthening the relationship between France and Vietnam, as well as between Vietnam and the world scientific community.

The two scientists' long careers began with the organization of the "Meet Vietnam" Conference, held annually since 1993, bringing together world-renowned scientists in many scientific fields: science for sustainable development (oceanography, Earth observation, biology, medicine), basic science (particle physics, astrophysics, mathematics), as well as social sciences and humanities.

All proceeds from this scientific event were reinvested to establish the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon in 2013.

In addition to their commitment to science, these two scientists also made a commitment to charitable activities. Professor Jean Thanh Van and Le Kim Ngoc also founded the Association "Aide à l'enfance du Vietnam" in 1970 and established the first SOS Children's Village in Vietnam for Vietnamese orphans.

The Legion of Honor Officer was awarded to Professor Jean Tran Thanh Van and Professor Le Kim Ngoc to honor the two scientists' special dedication and to show France's recognition of their great contributions to the development of scientific relations between France and Vietnam.

THAO LE

Source: https://nhandan.vn/vo-chong-giao-su-jean-tran-thanh-van-va-le-kim-ngoc-se-duoc-trao-huan-chuong-bac-dau-boi-tinh-bac-si-quan-tai-ha-noi-post911737.html