AWARD FOR "OUTSTANDING CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC WORKS..."

As expected, the season for "searching" for outstanding cultural and artistic works for the 31st Mai Vàng Awards - 2025, has begun.

Người Lao Động•13/11/2025

The three fields of interest to readers in 2025—literature, photography, and fine arts—all clearly demonstrate creative contributions in each work considered and nominated.

Unleash the depth of emotions

In 2025, the literary life of the entire country, as observed by readers in Ho Chi Minh City, underwent a significant transformation through numerous new publications and noteworthy anthologies. Short stories such as "Ben Ban Floating Market" (Nguyen Chi Ngoan), "Tet Gifts" (Vu Tu Nam), "Firecrackers and Explosives" (Ho Anh Thai), "The Magic Lemon" (Luong Kha Tu), and the essay "The Road Home" (Truong Thi Bach My) continue to affirm the vitality of Vietnamese writing – both inheriting tradition and touching upon contemporary human issues.

GIẢI THƯỞNG — Author Nguyen Nhat Anh remains a popular writer with a large readership. Tre Publishing House will release his book "The Little Girl Next Door and the Four Candies" on November 28th (Photo: Tre Publishing House).

A highlight of the year is the anthology "Outstanding Short Stories 2025" published by Sbooks, bringing together writers from the 60s, 70s to Gen Z. Familiar names like Tran Nguyen Anh with "The Spring Night Ferry," Tong Phuoc Bao with "The Storyteller of the Delta," and young writers like Phan Ngoc Chinh with "Cloud Hunting," Phan Xuan Luat with "The Beggar's Grave,"... have created a vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese literary life.

The highlight of this year's short stories lies in their humanistic depth: they speak of ordinary people who are resilient in the face of change, of compassion, mutual support, and kindness – values that define Vietnamese culture. As writer Tong Phuoc Bao shared: "This anthology serves as confirmation for the author and the work."

The "First Literary and Artistic Times Novel Writing Contest" (2023-2025) also created a new wave of vitality with winning works such as "Time Mirror," "Deep Forest Wind," "Living Under the Sunlight," "Half a Step of 700 Years," and "Eastern Hedge Chrysanthemum"—proof of the sustainable development of urban literature in the creative space of Ho Chi Minh City.

Think deeply, speak responsibly.

2025 marks a significant step forward for photographers in Ho Chi Minh City, demonstrating not only beautiful photography but also "deep thinking and responsible speech." In major competitions such as "Land of a Thousand Flowers" and the Heritage Awards 2025, works from Ho Chi Minh City have shown that civic spirit is transformed into visual language – where cameras not only capture moments but also raise questions about responsibility, dedication, and compassion.

"Responsibility Belongs to Everyone" (first prize, theme: Dedication) is not just an impressive image, but a symbol of collective spirit – of people in the flow of modern society. Similarly, "The Tender Moment of the Female Soldier in the Blue Beret" or "For a Peaceful Life" evoke profound emotions about people silently preserving peace, affirming that photography is not detached from reality but is the very heartbeat of life.

In the "Thousands of Miles of Landscapes" theme, works such as "Cape Ca Mau," "Tuy Phong Fishing Village," and "Sunrise on Mount Phan Xi Pang" continue the tradition of Vietnamese photography—celebrating the beauty of rivers, mountains, and the sky. But what sets them apart is the youthful, expansive perspective of photographers from Ho Chi Minh City: not only depicting scenery, but also conveying a spirit of exploration and national pride. This shift shows that the younger generation of photographers has moved beyond the "landscape frame," towards cultural narratives—where nature blends with people, labor, and the urban atmosphere.

The "Heritage 2025" award highlights a prominent trend: Ho Chi Minh City photography is strongly exploring the perspective of heritage within a modern urban space. Images of green Ho Chi Minh City, heritage buildings nestled amidst skyscrapers, or moments of everyday life in vibrant streets reflect the cultural identity and the spirit of "sustainable development" that the city pursues. Here, photography is no longer just an art of recording, but an art of dialogue – between the past and the present, between tradition and technology, between people and the environment.

The rise of young photographers shows they are grasping the rhythm of the creative city: living, feeling, and telling stories through the light of the digital age. Each photograph – when it touches the viewer's heart – goes beyond mere beauty, evoking faith, sharing, and a sense of responsibility. That is the profound value of photography in Ho Chi Minh City today. In an era of explosive visual media, humanistic photographic works have contributed to building the city's "cultural brand" – a city that not only develops materially but also nurtures the soul through art. From prestigious awards to a spirit of dedication, it can be said that photography in Ho Chi Minh City is entering a phase that is both professional and deeply socialized.

The spirit of the times through color.

The exhibition "Achievements of the 2025 Creative Workshop and New Works," organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association at the City Fine Arts Museum, was the most outstanding event of the year, bringing together 420 works by 361 artists – a record number demonstrating the strong creativity of urban painters, sculptors, and artisans. According to Professor, Doctor, and People's Artist Nguyen Xuan Tien, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, this year's works are diverse in subject matter – from landscapes, people, and homeland to inner reflections. "Each painting is a unique world of emotion, showing the artists' efforts to innovate in the face of modern life."

The art council assessed that lacquer painting continues to be a strength of the city's fine arts, with many large-scale works showcasing good techniques and reflecting the identity of the Southern region. Conversely, oil painting has somewhat stagnated this year, requiring further investment in depth. Nevertheless, art ceramics has become a new highlight, with many young artists boldly creating, taking ceramics beyond mere craftsmanship to become independent works with a contemporary feel.

Speaking at the exhibition, Mr. Tran Minh Cong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, emphasized: "The exhibition is not only a place to introduce new works but also helps the museum access, collect, and promote the aesthetic values of the era."

The art council selected 52 outstanding works for investment support, including 37 works by members and 15 works by young artists – demonstrating the city's interest in the next generation of artists.

"Each photographer becomes a 'visual ambassador' of the city. It's a 'beautiful perspective on dedication and the country' – where light, color, and emotion blend into a symphony of Vietnamese faith and aspirations."

Celebrating dedication and relentless innovation.

If literature evokes emotional depth and a yearning for goodness, photography captures vivid moments of people in labor and dedication; and fine art transports viewers into a space of colors, shapes, and emotions. It can be said that the candidates in these three fields are all worthy of the "Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Work of 2025" award category at the 31st Mai Vàng Awards – 2025, organized by the Người Lao Động Newspaper. This award honors the continuous dedication and creativity of artists, writers, photographers, and painters in their journey of beautifying life.