Alexandre Yersin

lexandre Yersin was born in 1863 in Vaud - Morges, Switzerland. In 1882 he received a baccalaureate degree in literature, and in 1888, after having graduated from medical school in Paris , he formally changed his citizenship to French. He joined Dr. Louis Pasteurs team at about the same time. There after, Dr. Yersin became famous through many of the pioneering work done by Pasteurs team. His wanderlust brought him to Vietnam.

On July 1891, his expedition to the highlands of Vietnam brought to the discovery of Da Lat, and later many water sources in this region. He was also credited for the discoveries of many mysteries in the western highlands of Vietnam.

Although Yersin loved Da Lat, his home is located in Nha Trang. In Nha Trang, Yersin built the Pasteur institute, named after his mentor. Dr. Yersin also had a ranch in Nha Trang. He raised horses to do his research in immunology. He also contributed to the Vietnamese rubber industry, as he is responsible for introducing the Brazilian rubber tree to Vietnam. Alexandre Yersin was also responsible for the first quinquina plantations in Vietnam, where quinine are produced.

Dr Yersin led a simple life in Nha Trang. He was beloved by the people in the region for his humility and care he gives to the people. He bought and old abandoned barrack and painted it white. It doubles as both his living quarters and his laboratory. The locals lovingly calls his home Lau Ong Nam (Home of Fifth Uncle) or Thap Nga (Ivory tower).

In 1940, Alexandre Yersin in poor health, returned to France for the last time. In 1941, he returned to his beloved home in Nha Trang where he remained and passed away in January 3, 1943 at the age of 80. In his will, he requested to be buried in Nha Trang, close to his beloved people. Every year, out of respect and gratitude to his contribution to this region, there are still many people coming to visit his grave in Nha Trang.