Professor, Dr. Luong Phuong Hau: The person who "directs the flow and protects the land"

During more than half a century of silently and persistently working along the rivers, Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Student Luong Phuong Hau has left a deep mark in the field of river management and coastal protection in Vietnam - a field where each technical decision can carry the lives of thousands of people. Not only is he a leading scientist, he is also a teacher, a guide, a sower of knowledge and an inspiration for many generations of Vietnamese engineers to engage in a challenging but essential field for the country.

Portrait of Professor, Doctor, Meritorious Artist Luong Phuong Hau when he was over 80 years old

The person who understands the "mind" of the river

For Professor Hau, a river is not just an object of study – but a living being with “temperament”, history, laws and even abnormalities that need to be deeply understood. He calls his work “water control” – not only regulating but also treating, like a doctor who spends his life healing the wounds that nature leaves on the body of Mother Earth.

Professor Luong Phuong Hau when he was still working at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering

The projects he designed were all pioneering and innovative, not only in terms of technology but also in terms of applied scientific thinking. Notably, the seawall project in Nha Trang (1993) - the first in Vietnam to apply Tetrapod wave-breaking block technology and hydrodynamic wave-absorbing walls. The project not only effectively protected the shoreline over the past 30 years, but also contributed to the formation of the entire Nha Trang coastal renovation route, creating a sustainable urban space and beautiful landscape.

After 30 years, the Nha Trang coastal protection project is still effective and has become an ideal photography location for residents and tourists in this beautiful coastal city.

One of his most memorable works was the project to handle landslides at the Quan Xa dike – Chu River, Thanh Hoa. When tens of thousands of residents lived in fear of dike breaches every flood season, he boldly proposed the option of “cutting off the river and diverting its course” – a risky decision at that time. However, with his scientific prowess, understanding of terrain, geology, and intuition accumulated from decades of field work, he convinced the management levels and directly realized the idea. Thirty years later, the land that once struggled to fight floods is now peaceful, covered in green rice – a living testament to the intelligence and foresight of a dedicated scientist.

With the project to protect the Dinh River dike in Phan Rang, the circulation reversal solution he proposed helped stabilize the channel and prevent bank erosion under limited budget and urgent construction requirements. This solution was later recognized as an exclusive technical invention and highly appreciated for its practical and international academic value.

Also under his leadership, many other major river management projects in the Mekong Delta - such as in Vinh Long city (1996), Sa Dec (1998) - and in the Northern Delta - such as the Trung Ha canal on the Da River (2008) - were designed and implemented, bringing about clear results in stabilizing the flow, developing waterway transport, as well as controlling floods and sedimentation.

The teacher who sowed the seeds of generations of enthusiastic engineers

Formerly Head of the Port and Waterway Department of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering for many years, Professor Luong Phuong Hau not only taught theory but also brought his students to the field - where the water flows rapidly, where the land is eroded, where the lives of millions of people are tied to difficult technical problems. He trained his students with his own sense of responsibility and professional ethics: they must know how to listen, must dare to take responsibility, must put the safety of the community first.

Professor Luong Phuong Hau at his student's thesis defense ceremony

Many of his students have now become managers, scientists and leaders in the fields of transportation, irrigation and seaports. Wherever they are, they always mention Mr. Hau as a symbol of intelligence, dedication and integrity in the profession.

Scientist of national vision

Not only stopping at technical projects, Professor Hau is always concerned about macro issues: from disaster prevention strategies to specialized human resource training. He frankly pointed out the paradox: "Disaster prevention is national security, but for many years, this field has been seriously lacking in human resources because of difficult training, low salaries, and inadequate treatment."

From there, he proposed new approaches: socializing investment in coastal protection, attracting businesses to eroded areas, and linking them with tourism and marine economic development. These proposals seem bold, but they all come from the passion of a person who has seen the future from today's currents.

Silent as a river, steadfast as mother earth

Not making a fuss in the media, not chasing after fame, Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Artist Luong Phuong Hau quietly chose for himself a quiet role - like the river he has "governed" all his life: strong but humble, determined but full of kindness.

Professor Luong Phuong Hau and family

At the age of over 80, he continues to be a scientific advisor for many large projects, still goes to school, attends meetings of professional councils, reviews theses and dissertations… with a clear mind and an intact sense of responsibility. To him, every flow has a soul, and an engineer and scientist must be able to communicate with that soul – with both mind and heart.

Dear readers, please watch the video interview with Prof. Dr. Luong Phuong Hau about the importance of river governance and coastal protection in Vietnam.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/gsts-luong-phuong-hau-nguoi-nan-dong-giu-dat-post267823.html