Fifty-six individual and organisational winners of the 40th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter-Writing Contest in Vietnam were honoured at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 18.

The national contest themed, “Imagine you are a tree in a forest, then write a letter explaining why it is important to protect forests”, drew the participation of 956,466 entries from under-15 children across the country, said Quan Duy Ngan Ha, Head of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Huynh Minh Hieu from Hoa Lu Junior High School in Ho Chi Minh City won the first prize with a letter to Sepp Blatter, President of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA).

In his letter, Hieu made a comparison between forest protection and playing a football finals match, where there are only two options – to win or to lose –for players.

He expressed his hope that FIFA would organise a meeting to select a country that engages in forest protection to host the next World Cup.

Hieu suggested Blatter encourage national football teams and clubs to change the colour and logo of their uniforms to carry forest protection messages.

With another second prize, HCM City ranked second after the capital city of Hanoi , which won one third prize and seven consolation prizes.

Contestants from the northern port city of Hai Phong and Hai Duong province were also among the most impressive groups at the ceremony./.