LookAtVietnam – Although a winner wasn’t declared for the writing contest, Mot Chuyen Di (A Journey), the number of entries from within Viet Nam and from Vietnamese living aboard indicated its popularity, organiser said.

Intrepid writing: The three second prize winners with their awards at the presentation ceremony yesterday.

Trang’s entry is about a student who experienced inappropriate behaviour at her country’s border.

The author wanted to highlight that in an area where the sovereignty and territory integrity is vital, people must be able to pass comfortably, organisers said.

Khong Co Chan – Chi Van Di

is about a handicapped girl in which the author highlights that human compassion is the easiest way for people to reach out to each other.

Third prizes went to Nguyen Quoc Buu (Nhung Chuyen Xe Dem - The Motorbikes at Night), Thanh Ha (Chuyen Di Bao Tap - The Stormy Journey), Hai Son (Biet May Dau Thuong - Lots of Pain) and Yen Khuong (Hua Voi Nhan Vat - Promise with the Character).

Another 20 pieces were awarded the Chuyen Di Dang Nho (Memorable Journeys) prize.

The 1,200 entries followed the theme of a real or imaginary trip writers had taken or witnessed. They could use any literary form, including short story, diary entry or prose.

The entries cover journeys in every region from the northern mountainous to the Mekong Delta or feature journeys across the Sahara desert or climbing the world’s highest peaks.

Others came from Vietnamese who have lived, worked and married in Europe, the US and Asia while closer to home they feature emotional events such as joining a funeral procession and delivering divorce papers to a spouse.

“I don’t think readers will forget the memorable pieces,” said Minh Thai, the deputy president of the judging panel.

“The contest ended but for the writers and for us, a new journey begins. We hope more interesting texts about journeys will continue to be submitted and published so the writers can enrich the lives of everyone,” said Ho Anh Thai, president of the judging panel the Ha Noi’s Writers Association.

The contest, launched in February, was open to anybody who could write in Vietnamese. It was organised by the The Thao&Van Hoa (Sport&Culture) newspaper and the Swedish Embassy in Viet Nam.

It is among several activities to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Viet Nam-Sweden diplomatic relations.

The contest was a chance for anyone to find and express their creativity, said Swedish Ambassador, Rolf Bergman.

“I hope the contest can promote the reading culture in Viet Nam and cultural diversity,” he said.

The best entries will be published in The Thao&Van Hoa newspaper and will also be showcased on the Let’s Viet-VTC9 channel.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News