Professor Vo Tong Xuan, born in 1940, was a renowned Vietnamese agricultural scientist and educator. Photo: Nhandan |
Professor Vo Tong Xuan, a distinguished scholar and educator, was born on September 6, 1940, in Tri Ton, An Giang. In 1966, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural chemistry and was accepted as a research student at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.
Four years later, in 1971, Professor Xuan joined the faculty at Can Tho University and subsequently obtained his doctoral degree from a university in Japan in 1975.
Professor Vo Tong Xuan is renowned for his numerous research contributions, textbooks, and reference materials that have greatly benefited agricultural production not only in Vietnam but also globally.
During a time of economic hardship in Vietnam, he introduced several successful rice varieties, including Than Nong, IR36, IR33, IR64, and MTL30, which became widely cultivated in the Mekong Delta region. He played a pivotal role in establishing and developing the Mekong Delta Rice Institute (now known as the Mekong Delta Crop Research Institute), creating a trusted and high-quality rice bank for the world.
Beyond his contributions in Vietnam, Professor Xuan’s research also benefited farmers in impoverished African countries. He introduced Vietnamese rice varieties and shared agricultural expertise in nations such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Sudan, Mozambique, Angola, and Cameroon, tailoring his knowledge to suit the unique conditions of each country.
Professor Xuan held prominent positions as the principal and honorary principal of Nam Can Tho University. He also served as the vice principal of Can Tho University and the principal of An Giang University. The Vietnamese government bestowed upon him the titles of Labor Hero in 1985 and People’s Teacher in 1999. He was also a member of the National Assembly for the second, third, and fourth terms.
The funeral of Professor Vo Tong Xuan is expected to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, followed by burial in his hometown of An Giang.
