The best entries of the contest testing knowledge of thousand-year-old Thang Long-Hanoi were honoured at an awards ceremony held in Hanoi on Oct. 4.

Surpassing almost 3.3 million entries from all 63 provinces and cities nationwide, a grassroots army unit from Military Zone 5 won the special prize for individuals.

Organisers, including Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi People’s Committee and Hanoi Moi daily, also presented three first prizes, 10 second prizes, 20 third prizes and 50 consolation prizes to individuals for other entries.

A special prize, three first, five second, ten third and 20 consolation prizes were given to collectives that had a large number of quality entries.

In addition, awards were also granted to eight entries that left special impressions on the judges.

These included a 1,000-page entry of Nguyen Thi Thuy and Chu Thi Hong Anh from the northern province of Bac Ninh, and an entry written in calligraphy on a dragon frame - 2.2 m height and a 28 m length - by Cavico Vietnam Company’s youth union.

An entry written on five typically Vietnamese conical hats, by Canadian, Steven Tait, also caught attention. Tait, who has been living in Vietnam for one and a half years, is fluent in Vietnamese and also well-informed about Vietnam ’s gastronomy.

Chief organiser, Nguyen Bac Son, Deputy Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission, said the contest, which drew a record number of entries, was a special gift to the capital city’s Millennium Anniversary.

Well-known historian Le Van Lan spoke highly of the hard work of competitors in researching and collecting documents related to history, geography, people and customs of the millennial city.

The awarded entries will be displayed at famous cultural places such as Hanoi Museum , Hanoi Library and Hanoi Opera House./.