What is special about the first female Khmer doctor of a Western province?

As the first female Khmer doctor of Tra Vinh province (old), now Vinh Long province, Ms. Ngo So Phe devoted herself to preserving national identity and inspiring learning for young Khmer people.

Dr. Ngo So Phe (born in 1981) is the first female principal of the School of Southern Khmer Language - Culture - Arts and Humanities, affiliated with Tra Vinh University.

Dr. Ngo So Phe. Photo: NVCC

She was born into a family with a rich revolutionary tradition in Kim Son commune, Tra Cu district (old) - a particularly difficult rural area with more than 90% of the population being Khmer.

Her father was the former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tra Cu District (formerly). Since childhood, Ngo So Phe waseducated by her father in patriotism, national pride and the will to rise up. Her father taught and encouraged her to study and value knowledge.

"He always told us four brothers: I have nothing to leave you except for education. That is the greatest asset in life, you must try to study hard to become successful," she said. Her father's teachings were the "compass" that guided her on her journey of learning.

Because the family had many difficulties, her siblings all listened to their father and tried to get ahead.

“My siblings and I had a very difficult childhood. Rain or shine, I still rode my bike nearly 10km to school to educate my children,” the female doctor recalled, adding that the difficulties made her stronger.

After graduating from high school, she and her brother decided to choose to study at a vocational school to save money and go to work early to help their parents.

Dr. Ngo So Phe is one of six outstanding individuals nationwide honored in the Vietnam Glory Program 2025. Photo: NVCC

In 2001, after graduating from high school, she was recruited to Tra Vinh Community College - the predecessor of Tra Vinh University.

Loving the culture and art of his people, Ngo So Phe always wished to work in the education sector to contribute to nurturing the souls of young people in his homeland. With perseverance and persistence, Ngo So Phe gradually advanced in his studies, from secondary school to university, then master's and doctorate.

As the first Khmer woman in Tra Vinh province (formerly) to receive a doctorate from the state budget, Ms. Ngo So Phe chose the path of scientific research closely linked to real life and the need to develop knowledge in ethnic minority communities.

She successfully defended her doctoral thesis in Development Economics, with the topic "Developing female human resources, Khmer ethnic people in Tra Vinh province".

Her doctoral thesis focused on improving the quality of human resources for Khmer women. The thesis attracted attention from the community, especially Khmer people and leaders at all levels.

With a heart devoted to national culture, Dr. Ngo So Phe devoted herself to the work of preserving and promoting Khmer cultural identity. Her research is considered the foundation for developing Khmer female human resources, contributing to raising social status, ensuring gender equality, and improving the material and spiritual life of Khmer women in the South.

Inspiring the younger generation

The Southern Khmer Language - Culture - Arts and Humanities School, of which she is the Principal, has trained more than 2,500 students from college to doctoral level. In addition to regular training, the school also opens Khmer language training classes for cadres, civil servants, public employees, and armed forces in many localities with a large Khmer population.

The courses help improve communication skills, cultural understanding, increase management effectiveness, policy propaganda, community engagement, while contributing to preserving national identity and developing sustainable tourism and livelihoods.

Dr. Ngo So Phe is the Principal of the Southern Khmer Language - Culture - Arts and Humanities School. Photo: NVCC

Under the leadership of Dr. Ngo So Phe, the Southern Khmer Language - Culture - Arts and Humanities School carries out the national key task of training Khmer language, culture and arts resources. The school contributes to improving the people's knowledge and sustainable development of ethnic minority areas. Many studies by Dr. Ngo So Phe on cultural preservation, especially the role of Khmer women, have created the foundation for policies of equality and preservation of national identity.

Ms. Ngo So Phe is a typical example of overcoming difficulties, inspiring learning, especially among young Khmer people. She has actively contributed to the development policy of ethnic minority areas.

Dr. Ngo So Phe was awarded the Third Class Labor Medal by the State and many provincial-level emulation titles... Notably, she is one of six outstanding individuals nationwide honored in the Vietnam Glory Program in 2025.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dieu-dac-biet-ve-nu-tien-si-khmer-dau-tien-cua-mot-tinh-o-mien-tay-2418984.html