Professor Nguyen Anh Tri, former director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion and founder of the Heritage Park of Vietnamese Scientists (Meddom), stated, "Meddom was created as a gift for the people".

In early June, his intention to donate Meddom, a project two decades in the making, caught public attention. This decision arose from Minister Nguyen Manh Hung's proposal to establish a memorial park honoring Vietnamese scientists.

VnExpress spoke with Professor Tri, uncovering a journey of memories, gratitude, and unspoken aspirations behind his decision to donate Meddom.

Professor Nguyen Anh Tri, former director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion and founder of the Heritage Park of Vietnamese Scientists (Meddom). Photo: Hoang Giang

Professor Nguyen Anh Tri, former director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion and founder of the Heritage Park of Vietnamese Scientists (Meddom). Photo: Hoang Giang

Many are surprised to see a doctor dedicate himself to building a park and museum for scientists. When did this idea first come to you?

During my postgraduate studies in 1993, I received valuable feedback from professors Pham Khue, Dao Van Chinh, Pham Manh Hung, Nguyen Cong Khanh, and Nguyen Thi Minh An. Their critiques honed my knowledge, writing style, and meticulous work ethic, shaping my entire life. I wondered how to preserve such valuable materials and realized a museum was the only way.

Initially, I shared this idea with my wife and son. By 1999, I began discussing my dream of building a museum with colleagues at Medlatec, who offered their support. From the outset, I emphasized that this museum was intended as a gift to the state and its people. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung's proposal for a park honoring scientists resonated deeply with our vision.

Gaining the trust of scientists and persuading them to donate artifacts must have been challenging in the beginning.

Indeed, that was our biggest hurdle. Initially, Meddom staff faced frequent rejections, even being asked to leave. At times, I thought we'd never overcome this obstacle. After 8 years of persistence and a meticulous, responsible approach, Meddom finally earned the trust of the scientific community.

For example, we approached Professor Hoang Tuy, a leading Vietnamese mathematician, in 2006, but it wasn't until 2016 that he opened up, visiting us and sharing his life story with remarkable candor. We recorded 20 videos, making Meddom the sole holder of comprehensive material for a film about his life. To acquire the legacy of Major General, Doctor Pham Nhu Vuu, we visited his home 72 times.

I was deeply impressed by the comprehensive archive of Lieutenant General, Professor Le The Trung, including his birth certificate in Chinese characters, primary school diploma in French, and university diploma in Russian. I was also moved to hold Professor Pham Dong Dien's school records, recovered from the Saigon secret police. His expertise in chemistry and explosives made him a target of the French, who confiscated all his documents. After liberation, a relative discovered the records during the takeover and returned them to the family, who entrusted them to Meddom.

Another treasured item is over 8,000 minutes of recordings by Professor Van Tao, former director of the Institute of History, recounting 100 years of Vietnamese history. He recorded these stories during his retirement, never published, and one day, he entrusted this treasure to us.

Professor Nguyen Van Hieu once suggested Meddom could become a unique museum globally. What makes it so special?

Firstly, Meddom is the first and only private museum preserving the legacy of Vietnamese scientists. Secondly, it's situated within a nearly 30-hectare park, serving as a space for education, research, extracurricular activities, and cultural tourism. Thirdly, it's a green museum. The grounds feature forests, lakes, streams, solar power, and fresh air, with minimal waste. Over 350 plant species are cultivated, including precious woods and seasonal flowers like ban, sua, sunflowers, and buckwheat. The local Muong community has identified nearly 50 edible wild vegetables, flowers, and leaves. The forest serves as a learning site for forestry students, a place for picnics, and a food source.

One precious native species is the Vietnamese maple tree, called "sau sau" by the Muong people. The museum boasts 35 ancient maple trees, which uniquely change their leaves five times a year, from bright green to green, yellow, and vibrant red. Each leaf season brings a new look to the museum.

What makes Meddom a "living museum?"

The diverse flora and landscape are not the main attraction. The core value lies in two authorized and operational entities: the Heritage Museum of Vietnamese Scientists and the Life Skills Education Center. Meddom's "living" aspect is the constant influx of new documents and artifacts.

Previously, we collected materials traditionally, bringing everything back, classifying, researching, writing books, and then exhibiting. However, Vietnam has over 25,000 scientists, with thousands more added each year. It took us over 20 years to collect artifacts from 7,000 individuals. Continuing this way would be unsustainable. Storage would overflow, staff would be overwhelmed, and preservation costs would be enormous.

Over the past two years, Meddom has undergone a complete digital transformation. Each scientist has a "scientific CV" detailing their work, publications, awards, and contributions. They select 3-10 documents and artifacts linked to specific stories. Everything is digitized, assigned a QR code, and located within the system. As soon as a scientist signs the donation agreement, the entire process, from legal and digitization to exhibition, is completed, allowing public access both at the museum and online.

A corner of the Heritage Park of Vietnamese Scientists, featuring two buildings designed as an open book and a butterfly. Photo: Anh Phu

Have you ever felt you've sacrificed too much for Meddom?

Meddom's success is a result of many resources. Medlatec has provided 100% of the funding. But money isn't everything. We have the trust of the scientists and the Medigroup collective, from the founding council and advisory board to every daily worker. After over 20 years, Meddom has no legal or financial liabilities.

My role has been as an initiator, an inspirer, a "flag bearer". Admittedly, the museum has taken time away from my family. I haven't celebrated Tet with my wife and children for many years and rarely take vacations. But I've never considered it a sacrifice. On the contrary, I feel honored to receive scientists' legacies, fortunate for society's support, and happy to see the park take shape after two decades. Now, my top priority is the museum. As long as the park thrives and work progresses smoothly, all hardships turn into joy.

My motivation stems from "gratitude": gratitude to the teachers who shaped me and, more broadly, to the scientists dedicated to our nation. This thought compels me; the more I do, the more it feels right, without a single regret.

Within the nearly 30-hectare park with five exhibition halls, where do you plan to place your own artifacts?

(Laughs). That's a "tricky" question. I have many documents and artifacts from my arduous education and training, over 35 years in medicine, teaching, and research, two terms as a National Assembly representative, and awards like Excellent Citizen of the Capital, Labor Hero, Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology, First Prize of Vietnam Talent, and two Vietnam Glory honors. I'm also a musician and poet.

However, all these materials remain packed away in Hanoi or stored in the park's warehouse. We prioritize showcasing the artifacts of other scientists we've collected. This is a shared heritage museum, not a museum for the founder. This principle has guided me from the beginning and will continue even after I'm gone.

Inside the Heritage Park that Professor Nguyen Anh Tri wishes to donate to the State. Video: Loc Chung - Anh Phu

A corner of the Heritage Park of Vietnamese Scientists, featuring two buildings designed as an open book and a butterfly. Photo: Anh Phu

What are your plans for the Heritage Park's future development?

Medlatec Group has approved funding for 2025-2027 to expand the Heritage Park, accelerate digital transformation, and collect more documents and artifacts. We are also working on procedures to recognize some artifacts as national treasures and proposing national heritage status for the park.

A special project I've envisioned for nearly a decade is considering ashes as a form of heritage. I hope the park will become a repository for the ashes of scientists. This would protect the environment, preserve land for future generations, and create a unique, solemn memorial to honor intellectuals. Many scientists support and are even enthusiastic about this idea.

Almost 10 years ago, when I turned 60, I wrote in my will: "Upon my death, I wish to be cremated, and with the authorities' permission, have my ashes scattered throughout the Heritage Park, under the trees, with no special preference." I hope many scientists will voluntarily entrust their ashes here, as a way of returning to their colleagues and their country.

If one day Meddom can no longer be maintained as it is today, what do you fear being forgotten the most?

I do fear that. I fear the day Meddom is forgotten, destroyed, and loses its current essence. The thought is incredibly painful. My greatest concern isn't the money or effort invested, but the fear that the contributions, intellect, and sacrifices of generations of Vietnamese scientists will not be preserved and honored. That would be the greatest loss.

What policies and mechanisms are needed to preserve the intellectual heritage of the past while inspiring and supporting the next generation of scientists?

Over 20 years of working on Meddom, I've increasingly recognized the contributions of Vietnamese scientists to our nation's development and defense. They studied, researched, and conducted science in the most challenging conditions—lacking food, stationery, and laboratory equipment—yet still produced significant, practical, effective, and relevant work.

For instance, addressing the prevalence of roundworms in the bile ducts among Vietnamese people, Professor Ton That Tung developed the "dry liver surgery" technique. This method not only treated parasitic diseases but also enabled treatment for other liver conditions, especially cancer. He reduced an 8-hour liver surgery involving dozens of doctors to just 8 minutes. This unprecedented feat remains relevant in global medicine today.

In other fields, particularly defense, Vietnamese intellect shone brightly. With radar technology and air defense systems, the army shot down B-52 bombers, symbols of American air power once considered invincible. To this day, Vietnam remains the only country to achieve this.

These experiences instill deep faith in the Vietnamese people's ability to achieve anything in any scientific field. I hope the Party and State will continue creating conditions for science to flourish further.

Resolution 71 presents significant opportunities for young scientists. However, I also hope for policies that honor, recognize, and ensure a decent living for scientists.

How is the connection between generations of Vietnamese intellectuals today? Have the older and younger generations found common ground, or are there still gaps to fill?

I believe the connection between scientific generations exists, but its strength depends heavily on the role of leading scientists. I've always believed scientists should leave behind not only their work but also generations of students. A person's brilliance, without successors, is incomplete. A great teacher learns deeply, works proficiently, then passes on knowledge and supports the next generation. A great leader connects, unites, and motivates everyone, especially the young, to work and contribute.

Reflecting on my own life, I've published around 390 scientific papers, but none were solely my own. I was fortunate to work within a united team where every success reflects the combined efforts and minds of the collective. I've passed on certain techniques and technologies not just to one but to 3 or 4 students, ensuring their proficiency.

I believe the true meaning of a scientific career isn't to keep working indefinitely but to create opportunities for students to excel, even surpassing their mentors. That is the true legacy.

Inside the Heritage Park that Professor Nguyen Anh Tri wishes to donate to the State. Video: Loc Chung - Anh Phu

Phan Duong