Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Thai is the first one to successfully research and construct the low-power laser diode which is used in the field of Medicine and Biology. Moreover, he has devoted his whole life to research and education field at HCMUT – Bach Khoa.

A non-computer teacher

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Thai was a Physics major and earned his doctorate in the field of laser diode in Russia. In 1979, he came back to Vietnam, becoming a lecturer at HCMUT – Bach Khoa and establishing a Laser Technology Laboratory. He is also the first one to become the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at HCMUT – Bach Khoa.

Our first impression about his office was that he possessed a large number of papers of documents and records. He is used to writing down and recording everything on paper. Especially, there is not a single computer in his office. He, therefore, has an excellent memory and the ability to present fluently when teaching, as well as answering interview questions. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Thai said that he learned such ways of working from the teachers when he was studying back in Russia. “I keep all of the information in my mind. I want my brain to keep working so that I can preserve and improve it. Speaking of computer, I only use it at home to search for information and receive or send the documents to anywhere else.” – he said.

2 billion dollars and a nation’s ego

He got himself immersed in the field of physics and laser unexpectedly. In 1962, after finishing 10th grade, he had an intention to study abroad in Agricultural Machinery Engineering major but because of the government’s policy at the time, he decided to choose Physics major. After coming to Russia, he joined his friends to learn more about laser, he, therefore, eventually became passionate about laser because of its useful application to life.

In 1987, he got his first achievements which were laser acupuncture and phototherapy devices using low-power laser diode technology. This product is applied for the treatment of post-stroke hemiplegia rehabilitation, sinus, meningitis, tonsillitis, arthritis, etc. These devices are designed to make use of laser light to produce biological stimulating effect on body parts for curing diseases based on Vietnamese traditional medicine, or in other words, acupuncture without needles. His products were renowned and purchased. In 1990, his lab started to manufacture devices to supply health establishments such as traditional medicine hospitals in Tien Giang, Hau Giang, Binh Duong province, etc, according to the contract bidding between them and educational institutions.

In a science research conference holding in Canada in 1992, a foreign partner had offered: “Your low-power laser diode model is way better than those in Canada, its appearance, however, is hideous. Could you sell the copyright to us with the price of 2 billion dollars?”  He rejected the deal. He explained: “I know that I could make a ton of money if I sold it. But Vietnam would lose a lot of benefits because the devices are based on Vietnamese acupuncture. The fact that they cast aspersions on these products but asked to buy at a high price injured my pride, I mean the national pride. Then I thought that I would definitely invest in this on my own, and they would have to change their mind”.

“The fact that they cast aspersions on these products but asked to buy at a high price injured my pride, I mean the national pride. Then I thought that I would definitely invest in this on my own, and they would have to change their mind“

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Thai

He is really attentive to free health establishments for patients. He discovered and invented devices designed to cure babies born with cerebral palsy, devices designed for addiction treatment and rehabilitation, devices supporting the treatment of post-stroke functional rehabilitation, etc. In the period of researching and going on field trips to establishments, he and his students invented 15 types of treatment devices on the basis of low power laser diode technology and supplied over 1000 devices for 335 health establishments of 33 provinces and 3 major cities in the South.

At the moment, he and his partners are researching on oriental medicine combining with laser to cure cancer. This is a new approach looking forward to enormously contributing to the field of Medicine in Vietnam.

HCMUT – Bach Khoa enrolls students majoring in high-quality programmed Biomedical Engineering (new major of 2020).
The faculty of Biomedical Engineering which is a multidisciplinary field applies the principles and technical methods of physics, mechanics, electronics, chemistry, and information technology to the field of Medicine and Biology, especially Medicine.
Graduates can apply the knowledge obtained to design, demonstrate, deploy, operate and evaluate systems, products, and solutions in the field of Biomedical Engineering.