Happy Vietnam 2023: spreading new vitality through creative arts

On the evening of December 19, the Department of External Information under the Ministry of Information and Communications held an award ceremony for the photo and video contest "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2023" to honor creative products that spread the beauty of Vietnam to international friends.

Authors Bui Cuong Quyet (second from right) and Nguyen Thanh Paven (third from right) received first prize at the award ceremony of the photo and video contest "Happy Vietnam 2023" held at the Opera House, Hanoi. Photo: Department of External Information - Ministry of Information and Communications

According to Deputy Director of the Department of External Information Dinh Tien Dung, this is the first contest in Vietnam with the theme of human rights, demonstrating the deep concern and consistent policy of the Party and State towards the work of caring for the material and spiritual life of the people, taking the people as the center, in the spirit of "leaving no one behind" and creating all favorable conditions for people to participate, contribute, promote their capacity and intelligence in the cause of building, developing, protecting the Fatherland and international integration of the country. The contest is an opportunity for people at home, overseas Vietnamese and international friends to express their love for the country, people, culture and nature of Vietnam. Starting in June 2023, by the end of October 2023, the organizing committee of the contest received nearly 7,000 photo and video entries, contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam to the world, arousing the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy nation; promoting cultural values, the strength of the Vietnamese people in the new era. The organizing committee selected 28 works for the award ceremony, and displayed 84 other typical photo and video products at the event. Each work is an interesting story, a beautiful memory, full of happiness or maybe a practical perspective on a life of making a living that is still difficult and arduous but always full of smiles, joy and happiness. In particular, the works all contain high technology content, thereby becoming creative, vivid and inspiring products for viewers. The first prize in the photo category went to author Bui Cuong Quyet with his work titled “Flying Up Vietnam”. The photo depicts athlete Chau Tuyet Van and her teammates Hua Van Huy, Nguyen Ngoc Minh Hy, Tran Dang Khoa, and Nguyen Thi Le Kim celebrating their gold medal win in the first match of the Creative Team Taekwondo event at the 31st SEA Games on May 16, 2022. In the video category, the first prize went to author Nguyen Thanh Paven with his documentary titled “Da Nang – City of Biodiversity”. According to the author, this is an incredible tribute to the amazing wildlife that thrives in Da Nang’s urban landscape. This groundbreaking documentary reveals the hidden natural gems of this livable city, from lush forests, coral reefs to playful langurs. The city’s natural bounty provides an ideal place for humans and animals to live in harmony, while also providing opportunities and potential for sustainable, nature-based industries. With stunning cinematography and inspiring storytelling, the film connects audiences to nature and highlights why urban biodiversity is important.

Photo work "Flying to Vietnam" by author Bui Cong Quyet.

Second Prize went to two works: Nha Trang Sea Calls by author Vuong Manh Cuong) and Skyscraper Shrouded in Clouds by author Catalin Chitu (Romania). In addition, the expert council also awarded 2 Third Prizes, 20 Encouragement Prizes and 2 works with the most votes. Mr. Bui Cuong Quyet said that the photo of taekwondo athlete Chau Tuyet Van and her teammates winning the gold medal at the 21st Sea Games was a stroke of luck. “Together with Vietnamese fans, I was overwhelmed with joy of victory, and it was even more special when my photo conveyed information to domestic and international readers about the position of Vietnamese sports,” Mr. Quyet shared. When asked, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Paven from Da Nang shared his joy because his product was welcomed by the whole country. He was also proud that his efforts in his filmmaking career were widely recognized by the public. “Through the film, I hope to contribute to spreading the beauty of Vietnam’s nature, people, culture, and biodiversity. Through this contest, I hope our young generation will join hands to build a green, clean, beautiful, and sustainable Vietnam,” said Paven.

"Skycraper shrouded in clouds" by Catalin Chitu (Romania).

“The greatest strength is always the strength of the People. The greatest creativity is always the creativity of the People. The most powerful vitality is always the vitality of the People. 7,000 photos and videos of Vietnamese people across the country are vivid proof of the strength, creativity and vitality of the People,” Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said at the ceremony. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that the Party and State always create favorable conditions for people to participate, contribute, and promote their capacity and intelligence in the cause of national construction, development and integration. The strength of the people has been gathered with the aspiration for a strong, prosperous, prosperous and happy Vietnam. “Happy Vietnam is not only a contest, not only a program but also a festival of Vietnamese people speaking up about their happy lives. That happiness appears in every house, every field, every village, every street. That happiness is theirs because they themselves created that happiness and they themselves spoke about that happiness,” Mr. Hung concluded.

Bich Huong