Speech by Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam at the Launching Ceremony of the Contest 'Happy Vietnam

Dear: Ms. Tran Thi Dong, President of Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang, Deputy Director of Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Pham Huy Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Information and International Cooperation

Mr. Tran Nhat Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Together with the nationwide bridges participating online in the Launching Ceremony of the Contest 'Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2024'; Central and local news agencies and newspapers... In 2012, the United Nations chose March 20 as the International Day of Happiness at the proposal of Bhutan - a country with a high happiness index based on factors of health, spirit, education, environment and quality of life of the people, to emphasize the role of happiness and satisfaction in promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty, while emphasizing the importance of happiness and human rights in the policy-making process of each country. Vietnam is currently one of 193 member countries of the United Nations committed to supporting, acting, being active and making more efforts to build a fair world, sustainable development and bringing happiness to humanity. Responding to the International Day of Happiness on March 20 and implementing Decision No. 1079/QD-TTg dated September 14, 2022 of the Prime Minister approving the Project on communication on human rights in Vietnam, the Ministry of Information and Communications in coordination with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists and relevant agencies organized the photo and video contest "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2024". This is one of the core activities in the communication plan on human rights of the Ministry of Information and Communications in 2024. The contest was first initiated in 2023 and has achieved very impressive successes, being widely received and highly appreciated by the public at home and abroad. In 2024, the Contest will be held for the second time, launched nationwide: directly at the Ministry of Information and Communications and 63 bridges in provinces and centrally run cities, with the aim of discovering and honoring meaningful moments and stories in all aspects of political, economic, cultural and social life through photo and video works to affirm the achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, thereby affirming the achievements in the field of ensuring human rights in Vietnam in recent years. After the Contest, the Organizing Committee will select the best works to award prizes and about 100 works that make it to the Final Round will be selected to display in an exhibition to serve the communication work on human rights at home and abroad in the coming time. In that spirit, I would like to officially announce the launch of the Contest "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2024". From now on, authors can submit their works to the Contest at the website: https://happy.vietnam.vn On this occasion, on behalf of the Ministry of Information and Communications, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Central Propaganda Department; the Ministries of Public Security; Foreign Affairs; Culture, Sports and Tourism; People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities; the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists and agencies, organizations, enterprises, central and local news and press agencies for always accompanying and helping the Ministry of Information and Communications to successfully complete its tasks. I would like to sincerely thank and wish all delegates, reporters, journalists, and all of you good health, success and happiness. I wish our Contest a great success. Thank you very much!

Vietnam.vn