Ho Thi Hieu Hien, a sixth grade student from Da Nang, has become the first Vietnamese student to win first prize at the 39th letter writing competition of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Ho Thi Hieu Hien, a sixth grade student at Tay Son secondary school in Hai Chau district, in the central city of Da Nang, has become the first Vietnamese student to win first prize at the 39^th letter writing competition of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The competition topic is: “Write a letter to someone to explain why it is important to talk about AIDS and to protect yourself against the disease.”

The Vietnamese schoolgirl wrote a letter to famous Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, expressing her wish that he would produce wonderful movies about HIV/AIDS to help people understand the danger of AIDS more clearly. She hopes that the film will help people take effective measures to prevent the disease and to inform people who still ignore the disease.

Hieu Hien has been invited to receive the first place prize at UPU headquarters in Bern, Switzerland. The national organization board of the UPU letter-writing contest will present her with 30 million dong ($1700) and a certificate of merit by the Ministry of Education and Training.

According to the deputy head of the national organizing board, Le Thi Kim Ha, who is also deputy general director of the Vietnam Post Corporation, many of the 1.2 million entries surprised the jury with their stories and satisfactory solutions.

Da Nang’s Tay Son secondary school was also honored with second-place, third-place, and consolation prizes.

Along with their peers from Da Nang, contestants from the northern province of Hai Duong were among the most impressive groups at the ceremony. They won a total of seven awards.

The organizing board also presented awards to the youngest contestant, five participants from remote areas, and three blind students.

This annual contest aims to develop children’s writing skills and creativity, contribute to strengthening friendship among nations, and helping young people better understand the role of the postal sector in social development.

The 40th UPU letter writing contest for children up to 15 years old will be launched on October 9, 2010.

PV