Dr. Philippe Le Failler has worked in Hanoi at the French School of the Far East for many years. He has spent a great deal of time researching Vietnam’s history, particular the history of the northwestern mountainous area.

Dr. Philippe Le Failler measures the coordinates and takes carving samples at the ancient stone ground in Sa Pa.

Some valuable research on Vietnam by Dr. Philippe.

Over the years, he has done a lot of research on the history of Vietnam, particularly on the ancient stone ground in Sa Pa that shows his great devotion and love for Vietnam.

In 1986 when he was studying at the history faculty in France, Philippe started researching Vietnam. He arrived in Vietnam for the first time in 1994 when he participated in a research project on Southeast Asia.

After working in Vietnam for some months, he went to Australia and continued his research on Vietnam. In 1996, he returned to Vietnam and since then he has worked in the French School of the Far East.

Philippe has paid much attention to Vietnam’s history in the 19th – 20th centuries and his favourite research is the history of the northwestern mountainous areas and ethnic groups in the provinces of Dien Bien, Lao Cai and Lai Chau.

Philippe said that in the coming years he will study the history of ethnic groups in the provinces of Cao Bang and Lang Son and the northeastern mountainous areas of Vietnam.

He has written some books on the history of Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien and the culture of the Dao ethnic people. He has also coordinated with the Hanoi Museum to publish a book entitled “The Architecture of Construction in Hanoi (1875-1945)”.

A foreign TV channel makes a documentary film about Dr. Philippe’s research on the ancient stone ground in Sa Pa.

Dr. Philippe has spent many years researching the culture and life of ethnic people in the northwestern region of Vietnam.

Recently, Philippe and Dr. Olivier Tessier and Ho Chi Minh City’s Museum reprinted the book “The Technique of the An Nam People” by Heri Oger.

It is a precious book because it not only describes the normal professional techniques of the Vietnamese people in the past but also serves as a photographic book on the culture, habits and daily life of the Vietnamese people.

The book shows the special concern of Philippe in particular and foreign scientists in general about an important historical period of Vietnam.

Among his research on Vietnam’s history, Philippe has devoted himself to the ancient stone ground in Sa Pa, a unique relic complex of the Mong and Dao ethnic people. For this reason, after many years he has collected a large number of samples of stone blocks at the ancient stone ground to recode the mysterious characteristics on each stone.

He said that the ancient stone ground in Sa Pa is like a museum of the Mong and Dao and is a photographic archive where researchers on history and sculpture can discover many interesting things about the life of the ethnic groups.

At present, the ancient stone ground is being worn down, and could possibly fall into oblivion or be deformed by the impact of nature and people. For Philippe, the continued existence of the ancient stone ground depends much upon the awareness of local people and visitors.

The preservation of these ancient stone blocks is not only the work of scientists but also for people to show their respect for typical cultural and historical features of the ethnic groups.

Philippe’s great passion for researching the Vietnamese history not only helps the historical sector obtain new achievements but also shows his love for the country and people of Vietnam.

Source: VNP