Professor Nguyen Buu Trieu passed away on the night of 16/7 at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, where he dedicated his life to medicine. He was the last surviving member of the first generation of Vietnamese surgeons.

Professor Tran Binh Giang, former director of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, shared that Professor Trieu trained many of the leading surgeons in Vietnam, including himself. Subsequent generations respectfully referred to Professor Trieu as the "teacher of teachers."

Professor Trieu, in the memories of Professor Giang and generations of students, was an exemplary teacher, a leader in academics, a person of great character, and a symbol of dedication and quiet contribution. He pioneered the introduction of prostate endoscopy to Vietnam, directly training the first generation to perform this technique, successfully treating tens of thousands of patients nationwide. Professor Trieu’s research in the fields of urinary stone surgery and congenital malformations of the male reproductive system laid the groundwork for the development of modern urology and andrology in Vietnam.

In the lecture hall, Professor Trieu was a dedicated and demanding, yet inspiring teacher. With students and colleagues, he always emphasized that "medicine is a humanistic profession, requiring lifelong learning and adherence to ethical principles." He also authored and edited numerous textbooks and monographs widely used in teaching and clinical practice.

Professor Giang's most recent memory of his teacher was performing an appendectomy on Professor Trieu at the age of 98. "He was frail but never complained. The day after the surgery, he sat up on his own. Every time I saw him again, he would joke, 'This is my savior,' but I only felt fortunate to have done something small to show my gratitude to my teacher."

Professor Nguyen Buu Trieu attends and speaks at the 75th anniversary of the Department of Surgery. Photo: MOH.

Professor Nguyen Buu Trieu attends and speaks at the 75th anniversary of the Department of Surgery. Photo: MOH.

Professor Trieu was born on 3/2/1923 in Hue, into a royal family with traditions in Confucian scholarship and medicine. In 1939, he went to Hanoi to study at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy and became a resident at the Protectorate Hospital (the predecessor of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital). There, he had the opportunity to learn directly from the founders of Vietnamese surgery, such as Professor Ho Dac Di and Professor Ton That Tung. From those early years, the ideal of "healing and saving lives" became the driving force throughout his career.

When the resistance war against the French broke out, the young doctor Nguyen Buu Trieu volunteered to go to the war zone, becoming the captain of Treatment Team III, the predecessor of today's Military Hospital 103. In the remote mountainous region of Chiem Hoa, he tirelessly treated thousands of wounded soldiers.

From 1956, he officially worked at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital and the Department of Surgery at Hanoi Medical University. He held various important positions such as Head of the Urology Department (1958), Head of the Department of Surgery (1980), and was also Vice President of the Vietnam Surgical Association and President of the Vietnam Urology and Nephrology Association. In 1960, he joined the Communist Party of Vietnam. In 1984, he was conferred the title of Professor of Medicine.

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoai Bac takes a photo with Professor Trieu. Photo: Hoai Bac

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoai Bac takes a photo with Professor Trieu. Photo: Hoai Bac

When he was sent to Guinea (Africa) as the head of a team of experts, his miraculous surgeries saved many lives there. The people of Guinea even named a road "Buu Trieu Road" to commemorate his contributions.

For his significant contributions to medicine, education, and society, Professor Nguyen Buu Trieu received numerous medals, titles, and certificates of merit from the Party and State.

Professor Trieu's passing leaves a deep sense of loss among his students. Associate Professor Nguyen Hoai Bac, Head of the Department of Andrology and Gender Medicine at Hanoi Medical University Hospital, shared, "We will no longer see the figure of our teacher coming and going early and late, but his spirit will forever be with us, his students, who always cherish his teachings."

Le Nga