According to economist Pham Chi Lan, Professor Tran Van Tho embodies a rare harmony between modern economic thinking and a deeply rooted Vietnamese soul. His sharp economic analyses are always accompanied by a profound sense of humanity and cultural introspection.

From a book-loving boy in poverty to a respected scholar in Japan

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Prof. Tran Van Tho: “Vietnam cannot move into the future with the mindset and institutions of the past.”

Professor Tran Van Tho, a revered economist in both Vietnam and Japan, had a difficult childhood in a poor rural village in Quang Nam. For him, those challenging years formed the bedrock of his resilience and lifelong commitment to education.

He describes his hometown as “one of the poorest places in the country” during the 1950s and 1960s. Life was harsh, with cold winters, scorching summers, and widespread hardship. Books were rare, and access to knowledge even rarer. Yet, young Tho developed an insatiable appetite for reading.

He devoured everything - from old Chinese novels to worn-out textbooks and magazines brought home by his uncle. These early readings helped him envision a way out of poverty.

His grandfather was the first to recognize his academic potential. “This boy isn’t meant for farming or manual labor - he’ll live by the pen and by books,” he once said. It was a prophetic insight into the path Tho would later follow.

In the early chapters of his new book From Memories to the Future, Tho recounts his grandfather’s quiet support. On one occasion, the old man walked over 10 kilometers just to check a lottery ticket, hoping to win enough to pay for Tho’s education. He also scraped together money to get Tho into first grade. That silent support became the emotional and moral foundation of Tho’s academic journey.

One day, while passing by the Ministry of Education, Tho noticed a poster for a Japanese government scholarship exam. He applied, passed the rigorous selection process, and arrived in Tokyo in April 1968 - marking the beginning of his decades-long academic career. The happiest person upon hearing the news was his grandfather, for whom the opportunity symbolized a lifetime of hope. Tragically, his grandfather passed away a year later.

To honor him, Tho used royalties from his first book to establish a scholarship in his grandfather’s name - a gesture turning love into lasting impact.

But the story goes beyond personal history. Tho’s book captures a larger narrative: one of intellectual pursuit, perseverance, and patriotism. Songs like Sunshine in a Poor Hamlet and Poor Love etched deep impressions of Vietnam’s hardship into his heart. From Nhất Linh’s Break the Chain, he drew a definition of patriotism that remains with him today: “To love one’s country is to love its ordinary people and to care for their suffering.”

The intellectual burdened by his nation’s future

To Pham Chi Lan, what stands out is Tho’s unwavering determination - born from wartime poverty and sharpened by the will to “live by words.” He overcame countless obstacles to become a professor at a top Japanese university and served as an advisor to governments in both Japan and Vietnam.

She praises Tho as a rare intellectual who, despite international acclaim, has never lost touch with his Vietnamese identity or his love for the nation. Even after decades abroad, he continues to ask: How can Vietnam rise out of poverty and become a prosperous, civilized, and respected country?

His latest book, From Memories to the Future, unlike his earlier award-winning economic texts, delves into broader themes of culture, education, and national development. It showcases a scholar with both analytical prowess and cultural sensitivity.

With an impressive grasp of history, literature, arts, and social issues, Tho offers thoughtful recommendations on Vietnam’s path forward - not just economically but holistically.

“Tho lives simply, thinks deeply, and speaks calmly. He is never driven by fame or fortune. He maintains the integrity of a true intellectual,” Lan remarked. He has played a key role in Vietnam–Japan relations and spent years contributing research and policy advice to Vietnam’s reform process.

His bold yet responsible recommendations, Lan believes, are exactly what Vietnam needs now. He doesn’t just talk about numbers or models. He envisions a future where citizens live with dignity, happiness, and global respect.

“In him, I see a true model of a Vietnamese intellectual who integrates internationally without ever forgetting his roots,” Lan said. “Before becoming a global citizen, we must first be good Vietnamese citizens.”

Reading his works, one doesn’t just learn economics, but also how to live and preserve human dignity in a rapidly changing world.

A message for Vietnam’s youth

In a talk with students, Professor Tho expressed concern about the “surplus of degrees and shortage of skills” - a sign that society overemphasizes academic titles while neglecting vocational training. He stressed that a nation cannot thrive on college graduates alone - it needs skilled technicians, engineers, and tradespeople to power its industries.

He also championed the importance of “character education,” a blend of knowledge, ethics, culture, and social behavior. In the age of AI, while knowledge is abundant, the ability to think critically and ethically comes from cultural depth.

Tho supports STEM education, but insists true human development also requires the “A” in STEAM - representing the arts, humanities, and philosophy. Vietnamese youth, he said, must not only speak foreign languages fluently but also master their native language, history, and culture to define themselves in a globalized world.

Personal development, he believes, begins with small habits - being punctual, tidy, and respectful. These are the seeds of long-term success.

With his philosophy of “lifelong learning,” he encourages young people to learn from life, books, experiences, and others. “Technology can take you far, but without character, you won’t stand firm,” he said.

To achieve the goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045 - Vietnam’s centenary - he argues the country must experience a “miracle growth” period, with double-digit GDP growth for at least 15 years. Otherwise, it risks falling into the “middle-income trap” that has hindered many rapidly industrialized nations.

As the population ages and the labor force loses momentum, Vietnam’s only way forward is to fully embrace a market economy, unlock resources, and reform its institutions. But the key lies in developing high-quality human capital - not just technically skilled, but culturally grounded.

“Vietnam cannot move into the future with the mindset and institutions of the past,” he emphasized.

From Memories to the Future is a deeply personal and socially reflective work by Professor Tran Van Tho. With a calm and intellectual voice, he guides readers from the echoes of his childhood to pressing national questions.

Why hasn’t Vietnam realized its full potential? What reforms are vital to avoid the middle-income trap? How can a modern, effective, and distinct market economy be built? His essays envision an ideal Vietnam: a prosperous, free, and dignified nation respected by the world - where economic growth is harmonized with cultural integrity and social fairness.

Tu Giang - Lan Anh