Happy Vietnam 2023: motivating life through creative arts

Authors of outstanding photos and videos were honored at the awards ceremony of the contest “Happy Vietnam 2023” for their creative products that showcase Vietnamese beauties to the world.

Photographer Bui Cuong Quyet (second from the right) and filmmaker Nguyen Thanh Paven (third from the right) received the first prizes for their creative artworks. Photo: Ministry of Information and Communications

According to Deputy Director General of the Authority of Foreign Information Service at the Ministry of Information and Communications Dinh Tien Dung, Happy Vietnam 2023 is the first human rights video and photo contest ever held in Vietnam. The contest demonstrates the Party's and the Government's attention and determination to ensure the people's well-being and to follow a people-centered path.

I"n this way, the Party and the Government will "leave no one behind" and create the best opportunities for the people to participate and contribute their mental and physical abilities to Vietnam’s development and global integration," Dung said.

The contest is also an opportunity for overseas Vietnamese and foreign friends to show their passion and affection for Vietnam and promote its cultural, historical and humanitarian values in the new era.

Each photo and video contains a story that shows the desire, determination, hope, confidence and happiness of every Vietnamese despite life's struggles. The outputs are also well adapted to technologies to become creative and inspire viewers.

The contest was launched by the Ministry of Information and Communication in June 2023. By the end of October 2023, more than 7,000 photos and videos had been submitted to the contest.

The ministry has sorted out nearly 30 of the best works for the awards ceremony, while another 84 outstanding photos and videos will be exhibited on the awards night.

At the finale, photographer Bui Cuong Quyet of the Vietnam News Agency won the first prize in the photo category with his “High flying Vietnam” photo, capturing the Vietnamese taekwondo team’s celebration for their win at the SEA Games 31 on May 16, 2022.

Among video makers, the first prize went to Nguyen Thanh Paven, who created the documentary titled “Danang – The city of Biodiversity”. According to Paven, the film reflects the fantastic nature of the central coastal city and displays its hidden charms. Favorable natural conditions make Danang a worth-living metropolis for humans and animals and the growth of sustainable sectors.

Second place in photo and film categories went to filmmaker Vuong Manh Cuong with his video titled “The Call of the Sea in Nha Trang”, and Romanian businessman Catalin Chitu with his photo named “Skyscraper Shrouded in Clouds”. In addition, two third prizes and 20 consolation prizes were given to other outstanding authors, and awards were handed to the two authors whose artworks are most-loved by online votes.

Photographer Bui Cuong Quyet said it was a moment of pride and happiness when he captured the Vietnamese taekwondo team winning the gold medal at the Sea Games 21 in 2022.

The photo “High flying Vietnam” by Photographer Bui Cuong Quyet wins the first prize.

“With all the Vietnamese fans, I burst into joy. I’m proud that my photo has become a message to the world, telling how strong we are in sports.”

Filmmaker Nguyen Thanh Paven said that he is happy because his documentary and film-making efforts are well-received and recognized by the audience.

“I hope my documentary will promote the beauty of Vietnamese nature, people, culture and biodiversity. And I expect our young generations to join together and develop our nation into a green, sustainable country,” Paven said.

Photo "Skyscraper Shrouded in Clouds” of Catalin Chitu wins the second prize.

“The greatest power is always created by the people. The biggest creativity is always the creativity of the people. The strongest vitality is always the people’s too. About 7,000 photos and videos of Vietnamese people in all parts of the country are vivid evidence of the public strength, creativity and vitality,” Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Manh Hung said in his remarks.

“Our Party and State always create favorable conditions for everyone to participate, contribute, and promote their abilities and intelligence in building the national construction, development, and international integration. The strength of the people has been gathered with the desire for a strong, prosperous and happy Vietnam,” he said.

“Happy Vietnam is not only a contest or a communication program but also a festival of Vietnamese people speaking out about their happy lives. That happiness comes from every house, every field, every village and every street. The happiness is owned by the people because they themselves created it and spoke about it,” Minister Hung concluded.

The photo "The Season of Mandarin" by Hieu Minh Vu wins the third prize.