Commemorating Traditional Medicine Day and 235th death anniversary of Great Physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong

On February 28, Dong Nai Traditional Medicine Hospital held a ceremony to commemorate Traditional Medicine Day and to offer incense in remembrance of the 235th death anniversary of Great Physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac (the 15th day of the first lunar month).

Former and current leaders of the Dong Nai Department of Health and Dong Nai Traditional Medicine Hospital offer incense in tribute to Great Physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong. Photo: Hanh Dung

Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac was born in 1724 in Hung Yen province into a scholarly family. From an early age, he was known for his intelligence and passion for learning. After experiencing family upheavals and turbulent times, he abandoned the path of imperial examinations and military service to devote himself entirely to the study of medicine, choosing the vocation of healing and saving lives. Through years of practice, he continuously studied, accumulated experience, and gradually became an outstanding physician of Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Hai Thuong Lan Ong’s greatest legacy is the medical treatise Hai Thuong y tong tam linh (tentative translation: Practice of the Lazy Master of Hai Thuong), comprising 28 volumes and 66 books – a vast body of work distilled from more than 30 years of research and practice. The work not only systematized medical theories and treatment methods but also advanced the philosophy of Nam duoc tri Nam nhan (tentative translation: Vietnamese medicine for Vietnamese people), affirming the independence and suitability of national medicine to the natural conditions and characteristics of the Vietnamese people.

He is especially regarded as the founder of Vietnamese medical ethics, with the profound view: The medical profession is a “humanitarian art” in which saving lives is the ultimate purpose. He emphasized responsibility, compassion, and fairness in medical practice, treating patients with dedication regardless of wealth or poverty, and always showing the utmost dedication. These principles remain fully relevant today and continue to serve as guiding values for generations of healthcare professionals.

In recognition of his immense contributions across various fields, he was honored by UNESCO as a World Cultural Figure on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of his birth (1724–2024). This recognition reflects a well-deserved acknowledgment of his stature and far-reaching influence not only in Vietnam but also internationally.

Le Quang Trung, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, speaks at the ceremony. Photo: Hanh Dung

Speaking at the event, Le Quang Trung, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, stated that commemorating the 235th death anniversary of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac is an occasion to pay tribute to a great physician. It is also an opportunity to continue promoting the values of medical ethics, medical theories, and medical practices that he bequeathed, thereby contributing to the development of a more advanced, humane, and sustainable Vietnamese healthcare system.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the ceremony. Photo: Hanh Dung

The leadership of the Department of Health acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts and achievements of traditional medicine practitioners in recent years, while emphasizing that whether practicing Eastern or Western medicine, physicians must always uphold the “heart” of the profession. With such devotion to the profession, medical practitioners will continually seek and innovate ways to best serve patients, enhance professional expertise, and develop a comprehensive healthcare system.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha