The first award in 13 years
September 29, 2025 became a historical event in the historical research community of the South and the extreme South Central region when the work "Buu Son Ky Huong and Tu An Dao Dao in the Southwest region" by Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Thang and his colleagues was awarded the Tran Van Giau Scientific Award. This is the first project in 13 times of organization to win awards in the field of History and Order.
According to historians, the 713-page book published by Ho Chi Minh City National University Publishing House (May 5, 2025) is a large-scale, documented book with many new contributions.Not only does it clarify the picture to help people and followers better understand their religion, but it also contributes to clarifying the cultural values that the residents of this land create.
Therefore, it is considered the key to helping researchers open the door to continue in the future.Because first of all, this is the first work to research the Four An Dao Phat (The Four An Hieu Nghia Phat Dao) after nearly 80 years of formation (1947).
This achievement is the result of hard work for 3 consecutive years. Mr. Thang shared: "It was a difficult journey". To filter reliable documents, Mr. Thang and his colleagues spent a lot of time reviewing, comparing and verifying reality to standardize both the textbook and practical application. That is also the working style of Mr. Thang in nearly 40 years of research and teaching at university.
The man of the "three-legged neighbor"
Many people will not be surprised to learn that Mr. Thang was a musician (Following Member of the Vietnam Musicians Association) before completing the work. Not only has he had nearly 70 impressive works, such as: "Lang le Bo De", "Diep khuc thang De", "Ca truong Nhu Mot que huong", he is also the owner of many music awards: 5 annual music awards of the Vietnam Musicians' Association along with many Medals, Certificates of Merit, and Certificates of Merit from central and local ministries, departments, and branches.
However, for Mr. Thang, composing the song was not to create sparkle. With the style of building a harmonious musical format; lyrical lyrics rich in meditation such as kinh lyrics, keyboards of the multi-religious land of An Giang... have turned his music into an "emotional language" for the flourishing cultural ideology system... Accordingly, in parallel with the birth of nearly 70 songs, Mr. Thang has also completed more than 140 scientific articles, reference books, and reference books.
Among them is the work that won the Vietnam Book Award 2014. These two fields form a catalyst, nurturing Mr. Thang to have more energy to complete the 3-legged neighborhood: Teachers reap many achievements in studying and management.
Like the Tien River flowing through Cu Lao Gieng's hometown, for nearly 40 years until retirement (August 2025), Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Thang has been as calm as water, steadfast as a alluvium connecting the flow of memories with today's life with the aspiration to help young people know where they are living, and know where they belong, and feel responsible to join hands to preserve them for generations to come.
