Hanoi student wins Danish painting competition

THE HANOI TIMES — Nguyen Hoang Thinh, a 6th grade student at Hanoi Victoria School, has been awarded the special prize in the "Denmark in Your Eyes 2025" painting competition held by the  Embassy of Denmark  in Vietnam.

His artwork, entitled "Green World - Green Future", made from scraps of fabric, impressed the judges with its powerful message of sustainability.

Organized by the Danish Embassy in Vietnam in cooperation with the Vietnam-Denmark Friendship Association (VIDAFA), the Ministry of Education and Training, Kim Dong Publishing House, Thieu Nien Tien Phong & Nhi Dong Newspaper, the competition serves as a dynamic platform to engage Vietnamese youth in environmental advocacy, in line with the Vietnam-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership.

This year's competition themed "Green Ideas" attracted 24,600 entries from students in 260 schools and clubs nationwide. It fosters awareness and innovation, encouraging young minds to reflect on the importance of sustainability in their daily lives and envision a greener future.

Thinh said that through the artwork he wants to inspire those around him to take action to protect our planet. "Through this painting made of recycled fabric, I want to call on everyone to join hands in preserving the environment. By reusing discarded materials, I also seek to celebrate the beauty of our world, promote sustainable values, and show how art can be a powerful tool for change."

The competition's organizing committee also awarded 73 other individual prizes, including two first prizes, four second prizes, eight third prizes, 50 fourth prizes, and nine promising prizes.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Danish Ambassador Nicolai Prytz emphasized the importance of youth in shaping a more sustainable and positive future.

"Young people play a crucial role in driving social change, and in Vietnam they have many opportunities to engage in social initiatives and inspire others," he said.

"The 'Denmark in Your Eyes' painting competition provides a platform for students to voice their concerns about climate change and the environment, and to offer creative solutions for a greener world," he added.

Launched in 2016 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Denmark, the "Denmark in Your Eyes" competition has become an annual event with each edition focusing on environmental and green issues.

The competition continues to inspire and empower younger generations to actively participate in building a better world.