Officials of Nam Can Tho University has confirmed that Professor Vo Tong Xuan passed away on the morning of August 19th at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Professor Vo Tong Xuan, a Hero of Labor and People's Teacher, served as the Honorary Rector of Nam Can Tho University.

Professor Vo Tong Xuan was a leading expert in the field of agriculture and a highly respected educator who played a significant role in training generations of scientists for Vietnam over several decades. He is also recognized as the "father" of many high-quality rice varieties in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s rice basket.

Born in 1940 in Ba Chuc Commune, Tri Ton District, An Giang Province, Professor Vo Tong Xuan came from a family of six siblings, where he was the eldest.

In 1961, he received a scholarship to study at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos.

In 1966, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural chemistry and was accepted as a research fellow at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.

In 1971, driven by a love for science and a desire to contribute to his homeland, Professor Vo Tong Xuan returned to Vietnam and worked at Can Tho University. He later earned his Ph.D. in Japan in 1975.

Professor Vo Tong Xuan was a dedicated educator who was deeply committed to the development of education and the advancement of knowledge. He was the author of numerous textbooks, books, and reference materials that have greatly contributed to agricultural production.

He is particularly known for his work during challenging times in Vietnam, where he introduced rice varieties such as Than Nong, IR36, IR33, IR64, and MTL30, which became widely cultivated throughout the Mekong Delta provinces.

Professor Xuan also made significant contributions to the establishment and development of the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute (now the Mekong Delta Farming Research Center), creating a reputable and high-quality rice gene bank.

He was conferred the title of Professor of Agronomy in 1980 and was named a Hero of Labor in 1985. He also served as a National Assembly delegate during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th terms.

From 1982 to 1997, Professor Vo Tong Xuan served as the Vice-Rector of Can Tho University.

From December 1999 to November 2007, he was the Rector of An Giang University.

From 1996 to 2006, he was a member of the State Council for Professor Titles of Vietnam.

From 2010 to October 2013, he served as the Rector of Tan Tao University.

In October 2013, he became a founding member and later the acting Rector of Nam Can Tho University, eventually becoming its Honorary Rector.

According to plans, the funeral will be held at the Ho Chi Minh City Funeral Home, after which he will be buried in his hometown.

Hoai Thanh