Prof. Serge Haroche – a distinguished French scientist, winner of the Nobel Laureate in Physics, renowned as a pioneer in the fields of photonics and quantum physics – visited Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) on the afternoon of October 10, 2025, to an overwhelming surge of excitement and the warm, welcoming applause of nearly 1,000 students.
The meeting was more than an opportunity to explore in-depth knowledge of one of the core fields of modern science – quantum physics. More importantly, it was a moment of powerful inspiration, where a world-class scientist like Professor Serge Haroche instilled faith and hope in the younger generation: to venture forth, to be persistent, and steadfast in pursuing the fundamental sciences – the very foundation of human progress
Many distinguished domestic and international guests also attended the special scientific exchange with Professor Serge Haroche.
Attending the event was Mr. Etienne Ranaivoson, Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, along with representatives from French diplomatic agencies, underscoring the French government’s deep commitment to scientific and educational cooperation in Vietnam.
Notably, the program also featured Prof. Jean Trần Thanh Vân – Emeritus Professor at the University of Paris XI (Orsay, France), Research Director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), and President of the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh. He has made significant contributions to bridging the Vietnamese scientific community with the international academic world.
On the Vietnamese side, the event welcomed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thanh Bình – former Member of the CPV Central Committee, former Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children, and former President of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM)
Representing VNU-HCM and its member universities was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Quoc Bang – Standing Deputy Head of the Department of External Relations and Project Development; Dr. Bui Thi Hong Hanh – Principal of the High School for the Gifted, VNU-HCM, and representatives from other member institutions. From HCMUT, the event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tran Vu – Vice President of the University, along with leaders of affiliated units.
Despite the highly academic topic, Prof. Haroche left a strong impression on the students with his intellect, dedication, and spirit of devotion to science throughout his nearly two-hour presentation. He offered a refreshing perspective on the essential role of fundamental science – not only as the key to unlocking the mysteries of the natural world but also as the driving force for breakthrough advancements in applied science and modern technology.
His presentation took the audience on a journey back in time to explore foundational concepts such as waves and electromagnetic radiation, leading to modern theories like microwaves and lasers. On his research path toward groundbreaking inventions, Prof. Haroche once faced considerable skepticism from scientific critics regarding the validity of his findings. However, those very doubts became a source of motivation for him and his colleagues to continue exploring, verifying, and advancing their research to the very end.
More than a lecture, Prof. Haroche’s reflections carried an inspiring message to the younger generation – those who are and will continue the journey of scientific exploration. He placed his expectations on students and learners to view fundamental science as the bedrock of knowledge, the starting point of all innovation. On that journey, every step forward is not only a conquest of knowledge but also a way for us to contribute to enriching humanity’s treasure trove of understanding.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tran Vu – Vice President of HCMUT – affirmed that the presence of Professor Haroche, together with the notable milestones and achievements in cooperation between Vietnam and France in general and between HCMUT and French partners in particular, has further strengthened the foundation for international collaboration and global integration, thereby creating a bridge for knowledge exchange, innovation, especially for young human resources. Such events serve as bridges for knowledge exchange and innovation, especially among young talent. This event marks an important milestone in HCMUT’s journey toward continuous integration and development, reaffirming the University’s pioneering role in connecting Vietnamese science with the international academic community.
According to Mr. Etienne Ranaivoson, Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, France’s scientific contributions to humanity are not only invaluable intellectual assets but also bonds connecting nations and catalysts for international cooperation, fostering mutual understanding and building a peaceful world. In his remarks, he particularly highlighted the Vietnam-France Excellent Engineer Training Program (PFIEV) at HCMUT – a vivid symbol of friendship between the two countries and a testament to the success of collaborative efforts in training highly qualified engineers for Vietnam. He expressed his hope that PFIEV engineers and HCMUT students will continue to embrace innovation, adapt proactively to cutting-edge technologies, and develop creative solutions toward a sustainable future, becoming key contributors to Vietnam’s deeper integration into increasingly competitive global value chains.
Sharing his perspective as a student passionate about science and engineering, Do Minh Hoang Phuc (sophomore in Space Engineering, International University – VNU-HCM) said that the Professor’s profound speech deepened his understanding of the importance of mastering the fundamentals of basic science and the quantum revolution with its unexpected breakthroughs.
“I was particularly impressed by Prof Haroche’s can-do spirit, demonstrated through research that once seemed to be abandoned but ultimately laid the groundwork for technologies that changed the world,” stated Phuc.
With his research orientation toward sensors and aerospace applications, Phuc shared that the speech further reinforced his confidence and passion in the path he is pursuing. Prof. Haroche’s sharing not only inspired but also affirmed that perseverance and a pioneering spirit in science are the keys to unlocking great breakthroughs for humanity.
