I was saddened to learn of Huu Ngoc’s (Hữu Ngọc) passing. He died on 2 May at the ripe old age of 107, one of the last of his generation. (Note: 107 is a reference to “Vietnamese years.” His birthday is in December.) His was a quintessential life well-lived.

Here are two articles about Prof. Ngoc and his life:

Vietnam’s cultural legend Huu Ngoc dies at 107 (4.5.25)

Distinguished culturalist Nguyễn Hữu Ngọc passes away (4.5.25)

His writings are among my extensive collection of Vietnam-related books.

I first met Huu Ngoc during one of my trips to Hanoi. Here’s what I wrote in the Acknowledgements of my book Vietnam Today: A Guide to a Nation at a Crossroads (2004).

Thanks to Professor Huu Ngoc, a renowned Vietnamese writer, journalist, and translator, who was generous enough to spend some time with me on a cool, rainy morning in his office at Thế Giới Publishers (Vietnam’s official foreign language publishing house) in Hanoi. A prolific writer and lecturer who has traveled extensively, Professor Ngoc has been described as “a span of the culture bridge joining Vietnam to other cultures.

I last saw him in 2017 during a visit with Maury Berman, who was in town for his first visit to Vietnam. Surrounded by books and other documents, Prof. Ngoc was in his element and sharp as ever. Most of us can only dream of growing that old and continuing to do what we love.

My heartfelt condolences to Huu Ngoc’s family.

Peace, MAA