Phạm Tuân ([faːm˧ˀ˨ʔ twɜn˨˩] born 14 February 1947) is a retired Vietnam Air Force aviator and cosmonaut. He became the first Vietnamese citizen and the first person from an Asian country to fly in space when he launched aboard the Soyuz 37 mission as an Interkosmos research cosmonaut. Read more on Wikipedia

Since 2007, the English Wikipedia page of Phạm Tuân has received more than 196,189 page views. His biography is available in 33 different languages on Wikipedia (up from 31 in 2019). Phạm Tuân is the 73rd most popular astronaut (down from 55th in 2019), the 58th most popular biography from Vietnam (down from 43rd in 2019) and the most popular Vietnamese Astronaut.

 

One of the most notable astronauts in Vietnam is Phạm Tuân. Born on February 14, 1947, in Quốc Tuấn commune, Quỳnh Lưu district, Nghệ An province, Phạm Tuân is celebrated as the first Vietnamese astronaut to travel to space.

Phạm Tuân's journey to becoming an astronaut was marked by dedication and perseverance. He graduated from the prestigious Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in the former Soviet Union with a degree in aviation technology. He then joined the Vietnamese People's Air Force and quickly rose through the ranks, displaying exceptional skill and dedication in his field.

In 1979, Phạm Tuân was selected to participate in the Intercosmos program, a Soviet-led space exploration program that aimed to involve astronauts from other countries in manned space missions. On July 23, 1980, he made history by becoming the first Vietnamese citizen to travel to space aboard the Soyuz 37 spacecraft. During his mission, which lasted for seven days, Phạm Tuân conducted various scientific experiments and observations in space, contributing valuable data to international space research.

Phạm Tuân's space journey not only brought pride to Vietnam but also served as an inspiration for future generations of Vietnamese scientists, engineers, and astronauts. His achievements symbolize the limitless potential of Vietnam's space exploration endeavors and highlight the importance of international cooperation in advancing scientific knowledge and understanding.

In recognition of his contributions to space exploration and science, Phạm Tuân has received numerous awards and honors, both domestically and internationally. He continues to be a prominent figure in Vietnam's scientific community, advocating for the advancement of space technology and education in the country.

Overall, Phạm Tuân's legacy as Vietnam's first astronaut remains deeply ingrained in the nation's history and serves as a source of inspiration for all those who aspire to reach for the stars.