Hanoi (VNA) – More than 1.3 million entries from students nationwide were submitted to the 55th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter-Writing Competition in Vietnam, reflecting the event's enduring appeal and its role in nurturing creativity, empathy and social responsibility among young people.
The organising committee held the national award ceremony in Hanoi on May 8 to honour outstanding winners of the 2026 competition.
This year's competition, organised globally by the Universal Postal Union, carried the theme: “Write a letter to a friend about why human connection matters in a digital world”.
In Vietnam, the contest was jointly organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, the Vietnam Writers' Association, the Vietnam Post Corporation, and Thieu Nien Tien Phong va Nhi Dong Newspaper.
Launched in Hanoi on December 19, 2025, the competition ran nationwide until March 5, 2026, attracting more than 1.3 million entries from students across the country. Localities with particularly strong participation and high-quality submissions included Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Phu Tho, and Tuyen Quang.
According to the organising committee, this year's theme reflects a global shift in thinking from "technological connectivity" to "human connection through technology." It also resonates with today's students, who have grown up alongside the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence and are expected to shape future standards of communication in the digital age.
The competition showcased students' creativity and diverse perspectives. Many expanded the concept of a "friend" beyond classmates and teachers to include scientists, technology experts, virtual assistants, and even fictional literary and animated characters, demonstrating evolving perceptions of human connection in an increasingly digital society.
Based on the judges, the organisers awarded one first prize, three second prizes, five third prizes, 30 consolation prizes, 61 promising writer awards, 10 creative idea awards, and 10 collective prizes. Prize values were increased compared with previous years to encourage students.
In line with a new commendation policy, winners of the first, second, and third national prizes also received certificates of merit and the "Creative Youth" badge from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee.
The national first prize went to Tran Chi Cuong, a ninth-grade student from Binh Han Secondary School in Hai Phong.
His winning letter impressed judges by portraying a conversation between Buddy, a robot designed to support children with autism, and Jibo, a robot that assists elderly people, against the backdrop of increasingly busy families with less time for one another.
Through their interactions with humans, the two robots gradually develop empathy, conveying the message that technology should never replace human relationships but instead remind people that behind every device and every screen is a person who needs to be heard and understood.
The winning letter was translated into French and submitted to the Universal Postal Union for the international round of the competition.
Addressing the award ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long said the greatest value of the UPU Letter-Writing Competition lies not in the prizes themselves but in its ability to foster a meaningful movement across schools, families and society.
He described the competition as a platform where positive ideas, inspiring stories and human values are shared, helping shape awareness and encourage positive action among young people.
"The UPU Letter-Writing Competition is more than a writing contest," he said. "It nurtures emotions, characters, and social responsibility. Every letter is a conversation of the soul, a bridge connecting people, and behind every word are the dreams, aspirations, and hopes of Vietnam's younger generations."
With Vietnam's strong track record in previous international competitions, organisers expressed confidence that this year's winning entry would continue the country's success and amplify the voice of Vietnamese youth on the global stage./.
