Prof Vu Khieu is the author of many works on the capital, such as Bach Khoa Thu Ha Noi (Ha Noi Encyclopaedia) and Tong Tap Nghin Nam Van Hien Thang Long (One Thousand Years of Civilisation in Thang Long), which took him decades to complete. At the age of 95, he is still writing. He talks with Culture Vulture.
Would you say something about your research on Ha Noi?
In the last 10 years, I focused on researching the old capital. I was co-author of the four-volume Tong Tap Nghin Nam Van Hien Thang Long, Lich su Khoa Hoc Xa Hoi Va Nhan Van (History and Social Science and Humanities), in 18 volumes and I wrote many funeral orations, epitaphs and parallel sentences in tens of temples worshipping martyrs throughout the country.
Among them, Tong Tap Nghin Nam Van Hien Thang Long, a collection of writings by 1,200 authors and collaborators compiled with assistance of Prof Vu Tuyen Hoang, won a special content prize at Viet Nam Book Awards 2009 announced by the Viet Nam Publishing Association.
That's the way I pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
You are still researching and writing. How can you keep going?
When I was 80, my health was getting bad. I spent about eight hours a day studying Confucianism, the ideas of Confucius and Mencius.
Ten years ago, when I was 85, I decided to have a rest. I thought I would write poetry, play chess and have fun with my friends. Then the Party and the State conferred on me the title of Hero of Labour of the doi moi (renewal) period.
I wondered then how can a hero have a rest? So I determined to come back to work and promised myself that from then until the last breathe, I would not waste a day.
Last month, I celebrated my 95th birthday. If I can live till 100, as I would like, I will have another five years to work.
Nowadays, when I can't sleep I often read Buddhist scriptures to understand more about Mahayana Buddhism. Compassionate thought of Buddhism is a humane philosophy. I learn much from it.
What do you intend to do in the future?
I have been writing notes about Ha Noi for as long as I can remember. Now I am putting them into a book of 2,400 pages for the capital's anniversary, to be released when I am satisfied with the quality and when my heart orders. — VNS