For Nguyen Dinh Tu, age 104, his most treasured legacy is the recognition and support he receives for his extensive works on culture, history, and geography, despite not holding any academic titles or degrees.

At the 2025 Lunar New Year Book Festival on Le Loi Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the esteemed researcher, who recently won the top prize at the 7th National Book Awards, participated in a book-signing and reader interaction event.

A serendipitous journey into writing

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Nguyen Dinh Tu presents his book Stepmother and Stepchild to the Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Information and Communications, Nguyen Ngoc Hoi.

Nguyen Dinh Tu is widely celebrated as a seasoned researcher with an impressive body of 60 works on Vietnamese culture, history, and geography.

One of his landmark books, Gia Dinh – Sai Gon – Ho Chi Minh City: A historical journey (1698–2020), is the culmination of two decades of research.

This monumental work earned him the prestigious “A” Prize at the 7th National Book Awards.

In 2024, he was also honored as an "Ambassador of Inspiration" and a "Person of Inspiration" at the WeChoice Awards.

“Ho Chi Minh City is a large metropolis with a rich and multifaceted history.

Yet, until now, no one has written a comprehensive book covering the entire city.

I wanted to create a single volume that readers could rely on to understand its history as a whole,” Nguyen Dinh Tu shared with VietNamNet.

He expressed immense satisfaction and fulfillment in seeing this book recognized, calling it the crowning achievement of his research career.

In 2018, he had previously received another “A” Prize at the National Book Awards for his series The French colonial regime in Cochinchina (1859–1954).

Other notable works by him include The landscapes of Phu Yen, The landscapes of Khanh Hoa, The landscapes of Ninh Thuan, Administrative geography of Cochinchina during French rule (1859–1954), and The streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

His earlier works, published by the Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, are still regarded as essential resources for understanding the region’s history and culture.

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The 104-year-old researcher interacts with readers at the 2025 Lunar New Year Book Festival.

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Early works by Nguyen Dinh Tu, published by the Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House.

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The researcher’s award-winning book Gia Dinh – Sai Gon – Ho Chi Minh City: A historical journey (1698–2020) is displayed at the festival.



"I hope young people will return to reading books"

Nguyen Dinh Tu’s lifelong passion for history and books began during his elementary school years in Thanh Chuong, Nghe An Province.

Growing up in a poor family, he often faced the prospect of dropping out of school due to financial difficulties.

To continue his education, he worked as a tutor in exchange for meals.

Despite these hardships, his love for books never waned.

He was particularly drawn to stories about historical figures like King Ham Nghi, King Duy Tan, and the military campaigns of the Tran and Ly dynasties.

These books ignited his dream of delving deeper into Vietnam’s history and exploring the lives of its heroic figures.

“Our nation’s history is so extraordinary,” he said.

“Although we are a small country, we have repeatedly triumphed over far more powerful adversaries.

Historical accounts back then were not detailed enough, so I felt compelled to conduct thorough research to help readers understand and take pride in our nation.”

This determination fueled his journey from a poor student to a renowned researcher with a vast repository of knowledge.

Nguyen Dinh Tu also finds joy in the growing emphasis on reading culture, particularly through events like book fairs and the Lunar New Year Book Festival.

“Phones give us fleeting news, but reading books allows us to reflect deeply and retain knowledge for a lifetime,” he emphasized.

A lifetime devoted to uncovering Vietnam’s history

In his modest 15-square-meter room, books are neatly stacked on shelves, and Nguyen Dinh Tu, despite his advanced age, continues to immerse himself in Vietnam’s storied past.

He has already drafted outlines for ten new books.

“After completing Administrative geography of Cochinchina during French rule (1859–1954), I want to write about the Northern, Central, and Central Highlands regions.

Our country still has so many topics to explore and document,” he said.

At the 2025 Lunar New Year Book Festival, his book Gia Dinh – Sai Gon – Ho Chi Minh City: A historical journey (1698–2020) was prominently displayed at the event’s central exhibition area, symbolizing his lifelong dedication to preserving Vietnam’s history for future generations.

Thanh Truc