Australian author wins first prize in My City writing competition

Mr. Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue awarded the first prize certificate to Mr. Ray Kuschert - Photo: HOANG LE

The My City writing contest is organized by Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

Ms. Ly Viet Trung, editor-in-chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper commented:

"The work has great meaning. His father was an Australian soldier who fought in Vietnam, he shared the initial perspective of someone standing on the other side of the battle line and now becoming a Vietnamese son. A timely and meaningful story."

Thank you HCMC for letting me in.

Ray KusChert married a Vietnamese woman and has lived and worked in Ho Chi Minh City for more than 10 years.

During the award ceremony of the contest on March 28, he recounted an unforgettable memory: "When I stepped off Tan Son Nhat airport after decades of separation, the image of a Vietnamese girl wearing an ao dai and a conical hat in the crowd left a deep impression on me."

The award-winning author interacts in the program - Photo: HOANG LE

After his exploration of Ho Chi Minh City, Ray KusChert completely changed his perception of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam. He began to love this city.

"Memories of war and the past brought me to Vietnam. Now I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world for choosing to 'take root' in Ho Chi Minh City," he wrote.

"Thank you Ho Chi Minh City for letting me enter your heart and become a part of it", the emotional ending sentence of the post.

More than 1,000 entries for My City contest

The organizing committee of the My City writing contest launched in October 2023. There were more than 1,000 articles from home and abroad participating, creating a colorful picture of Ho Chi Minh City.

It is a city that is both modern and rich in cultural and historical sediments with more than 300 years of formation and development.

Two authors won second prize in the writing contest The City I Love - Photo: HOANG LE

A city of love, people live with love, care for each other, whether strangers or friends. Cool water bottles placed neatly on the roadside, boxes of affectionate sticky rice, free bread, hot lunch boxes... seen in many places are concrete and practical examples.

From the articles and images of people from everywhere coming to Ho Chi Minh City, at first maybe for food, clothing, education, career... but then "falling in love" with this place, staying and contributing to the growing city.

My City Writing Exam Results

First Place : Thank You for Letting Me Into Your Heart! by Ray KusChert.

Second prize: 2 works

- The work " The Daughter of the Man Who Proposed the Name Ho Chi Minh City" by author, doctor Tran Quoc Vinh - is a touching story about female doctor Tran Kieu Mien - daughter of doctor Huu Nghiep, the man who proposed the name Ho Chi Minh City in 1954.

- The article "Revival on the fierce lands" by author Diem Mi shows a panoramic picture of the transformation of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City in recent times.

Third Prize:

- The work Vinh Loc is like my motherland , author Nguyen Van My.

- The work Fresh green Nhieu Loc canal , author Bui Thi Dong Dao.

- The work As a word of gratitude , author Huynh Truong Phat.

10 consolation prizes.

Read more Back to Topics

Back to topic

HOANG LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tac-gia-nguoi-uc-doat-giai-nhat-thi-viet-thanh-pho-cua-toi-20250328160014227.htm