Hanoi (VNA) – Attracting tens of thousands of submissions over the past three years, the annual human rights media contest “Happy Vietnam 2025” has become a platform to showcase a peaceful, vibrant and happy Vietnam to international audiences, while honouring works that vividly capture the country’s development and human-centred values.
The third edition of the awards ceremony took place on December 6 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi, presenting prizes to 36 outstanding photos and videos, alongside two special awards for creative works and most-voted works. Winning authors included both Vietnamese and foreign creators, reflecting the competition’s growing reach.
According to the organising board, this year’s contest received around 17,000 entries - 1.7 times higher than in 2024. Each submission offered a distinct snapshot of daily life, collectively forming a spirited portrait of a happy, civilised and culturally rich Vietnam that is confidently advancing on its path of integration and development.
Two first prizes were awarded to the photo "Vietnam – Ky nguyen vuon minh" (Vietnam in the Era of National Rise) by Pham Ngoc Long Thien and the video "Nhung nu cuoi hanh phuc" (Happy Smiles) by Luu Minh Khuong.
Thien’s winning photo was taken during the celebrations marking 50 years of the liberation of the South and national reunification at Bach Dang Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City, capturing a striking moment when drones formed their most impressive configuration above crowds eagerly photographing the display. “To me, that moment embodied ‘Happy Vietnam’ - a joyful, vibrant, and proud city,” he shared.
Khuong’s video was the result of two years of travelling across Vietnam to document everyday moments of ordinary people - from workers and children to visiting tourists. “I learned so much from the people I photographed. I gave them printed photos, and they gave me their smiles,” he said.
Notable entries in the second and third-prize categories included the photo series "ASEAN Cup Champions 2024 – Vietnam Claims Southeast Asia’s Football Crown for the Third Time" by Bui Cuong Quyet of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), and Nguyen Giang Nam’s photo of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh strolling Hanoi’s Old Quarter with the CEO of NVIDIA. Video reports such as “Fish Sauce from Norway” by Dang Thi Thanh Huyen and “Dong Van Karst Plateau – The Cradle of Asia’s Cultural Journey” by Hoang Van Tinh also received high praise.
VNA journalists earned one second prize and two consolation prizes for the photo series “Revived Lungs – A Miracle for Patients” by Bui Cuong Quyet, and the video “Technology Lights Up Hope” by Trinh Xuan Tu, highlighting individuals using technology to overcome adversity.
A special highlight of this year’s competition was the recognition of two works by foreign author Catalin Chitu, currently living in Ho Chi Minh City. He won a consolation prize for “Bay Nui” (Seven Mountains), depicting the mystical landscape and cultural stories of the Mekong Delta, and the Creative Work Award for “Co Bang” (Lepironia Grass), capturing a sustainable initiative in Tay Ninh where local residents craft eco-friendly straws from natural materials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh emphasised that the awards have evolved beyond a traditional photo and video contest to become a national-level award. “The authors come from diverse professions, ages and backgrounds, but they share a sincere love for the Fatherland and a desire to convey an image of a peaceful – beautiful – dynamic – happy Vietnam to the world,” he said.
Winning works from the awards have been showcased internationally at cultural events in Russia, Thailand, Venezuela, Australia and Sweden, and will soon be presented in Chile, Hungary, Finland, Brunei and at 97 Vietnamese overseas missions, helping bring Vietnam’s messages of humanity and cultural identity to global audiences./.
