Nhan Tai Dat Viet 2013 (the 2013 Vietnamese Talent Awards) has been expanded to include mobile content and environmental issues, the organisers have said.

The annual awards, now in their ninth year, were originally set up to search for new talents and products in the fields of IT, applied sciences, medicine and pharmacy.

Organised by VNPT Group, Vietnam Television and the Dan Tri online newspaper, the awards this year have included two additional prizes for an IT solution product which benefits the society as well as a prize for creative youth, contestants under 20 years old.

In the fields of applied sciences, the awards will be granted to scientists who have made outstanding achievements in mathematics, physics, mechanics and chemistry and have applied their work in a practical manner, with a beneficial economic/social effect.

Based on their scientific and practical value, the winners will take home 100 million VND for first prize, 50 million VND for second and 30 million VND for third. Consolation prizes of 20 million VND will also be awarded.

The deadline for applications is August 31. The awards ceremony will be held in Hanoi on November 20 and will be broadcast live one VTV and the VnMedia online newspaper.-VNA