Nguyen Van Giai (1940-2025) was one of the pioneers in the field of relativistic and non-relativistic energy density functionals (EDF) in nuclear theory.
Throughout his career, he promoted exchanges between experimentalists and theorists, and being an expert in many-body physics, he was also interested in atomic and molecular aggregates as well as neutron stars.
His colleagues remember him not only as a world-class physicist but also as a very friendly person. He advised many young people and has a unique sense of humor, that was one of the fingerprints of his wisdom.
This conference will bring together many of Giai's collaborators, reviewing Giai's contributions and recent developments in his fields, and leaving also some room for personal memories.