Illustration contest opens to local and international artists
The "Local Essence" illustration contest invites young artists to celebrate and share the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam through creative drawings.
THE HANOI TIMES — UNESCO in Vietnam invites Vietnamese and foreign artists to participate in the “Local Essence ” illustration contest, with a submission deadline of June 16.
The poster of the “Local Essence” Illustration Contest launched by UNESCO Vietnam.
According to the organizing committee, Vietnamese national culture is a harmonious mosaic of diverse identities, with each locality representing a unique piece of the whole. To showcase and spread the distinctive cultural beauty of each region, the contest invites the visual arts community to contribute in various forms, such as painting, illustration, and design.
Each piece of art will serve as a proud narrative, capturing the unique essence and identity of each region. Together, they contribute to a multicolored cultural symphony that reflects the depth of the Vietnamese spirit.
The total prize pool exceeds VND80 million (US$3,150) and includes the following awards: Outstanding Work, Notable Work, Popular Vote, Promising Work, and Outstanding Collaborative Work.
Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. Photo: Chuyen Cua Ha Noi Group
Artists may submit an unlimited number of entries via the application form. Each entry must be accompanied by a caption or short description. The minimum size for artwork is 40 cm x 40 cm, with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Key visual elements should not be placed too close to the edges of the artwork.
Submissions may be digital or hand-drawn. For physical artworks, entries must be scanned or photographed neatly, and the images must be clear and free of shadows or unrelated objects, such as backgrounds, table surfaces, or drawing tools. Artworks containing elements created or assisted by AI tools will not be accepted.
The contest is part of the "IMPLEMENT!" project, which was initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is supported by the SOVICO Group. The project aims to help the Government of Vietnam enhance the contributions of its cultural industries.
This can be achieved by taking advantage of opportunities from the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and UNESCO-listed World Heritage elements in Vietnam in accordance with the National Strategy on Cultural Industries and the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism toward 2030. This initiative empowers young creative talents in Vietnam to contribute innovative ideas and actions to the country’s sustainable development agenda.
