VietNamNet Bridge – The love for science created a bond between Professor Jack Steinberger, who won the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics, with Professor Tran Thanh Van and the country of Vietnam, which urged Prof. Steinberger to send a letter to the US President proposing embargo elimination for Vietnam.

“Meet Vietnam” – the golden opportunity missed

In the framework of the 9th "Meet Vietnam" in the central province of Binh Dinh, Steinberger, 92, traveled half of the globe to Vietnam to attend the event. Of the five physicists who won the Nobel Prize and participated in the event in Quy Nhon, Professor Steinberger is the oldest.

Steinberger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 1988, "for the neutrino beam method and the demonstration of the doublet structure of the leptons through the discovery of the muon neutrino" at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

In 1934 he went to New York, studied at Trier Township High School and then spent 2 years studying chemistry at the Armuour Institute of Technology (now the Illinois Institute of Technology). In 1942, graduated in chemistry from the University of Chicago, Jack Steinberger enlisted and was sent to the laboratory of radiation of MIT after a special training course on electromagnetic wave theory held by the U.S. military.

After World War II, he returned to the University of Chicago, working alongside famous scientists such as Enrrico Fermi, W. Zachariasen, Edward Teller, Gregor Wentzel, he discovered muon (an elementary particle shape) of cosmic rays. The results of his research formed the empirical basis for the concept of weak interaction.

In 1968, Professor Van met Professor Steinberger at a scientific conference held in France. Since then, they have become close friends. They often met each other at international seminars and conferences.

In 1993, when the United States still imposed an embargo on Vietnam, it was very difficult for American citizens, especially scientists, to go to Vietnam. "At that time, to go to Vietnam, I had to spend a lot of time with countless rigorous administrative procedures, through various gates of exit procedures, in December 1993 I was on the plane to Vietnam to attend the 1st "Meet Vietnam" organized by Prof. Tran Thanh Van and his wife," said Steinberger.

The International Center for Science and Interdisciplinary Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon was built by the funding raised by Prof. Tran Thanh Van and his wife. This is the ideal "rendezvous" of international scientists with Vietnamese colleagues.

At that time, Vietnam researchers were really touched by his love for science and for Vietnam. "When he was in Hanoi, Jack showed me his letter to the U.S. President proposing to lift the embargo on Vietnam," recalled Prof. Van.

At that time, Steinberger said modestly: "I am writing to suggest that, but U.S. President Bill Clinton does not have time to read. The letter may be thrown to the trash."

A short time later, in February 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton decided to remove the embargo on Vietnam. The relations between Prof. Van and his wife and Prof. Steinberger became more intimate.

20 years after his first visit to Vietnam, Professor Steinberger returned to the 9th "Meet Vietnam" scientific week in Quy Nhon. He was surprised with the wonderful changes in Vietnam.

Jack Steinberger said that he returned to Vietnam this time, firstly to support Professor Van and his wife, and what they have been doing for science and education in Vietnam.

On the other hand he felt sorry for what America did to the Vietnamese people during the war. He hoped that this trip will help ease that pain.

He also said that the love of science helped him get closer to Professor Van and inspired him to do something to connect to the friendship between the U.S. and Vietnam.

"War has left a lot of pain and loss. It's time we close the past to look towards to the future. Vietnam has suffered severe consequences of the war. I believe that in the near future if your country is interested in and gives priority to investment in scientific research and technology, you will pick the sweet fruits in the near future," said Steinberger.

VNE