Affirming the message of an Independent, Free, and Happy Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attended the Happy Vietnam 2025 Award Ceremony.

Photo: Le Dong - VNA

The Happy Vietnam 2025 Human Rights Media Award Ceremony took place on the evening of December 6th at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi. This event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Hanoi People's Committee, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, and Vietnam Television.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh; Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung; and Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh attended the program. Also present were representatives from central ministries, departments, and organizations; political and social organizations; international organizations in Vietnam; embassies of foreign countries; award-winning authors and groups of authors; and domestic and international news agencies and television stations.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh delivered a speech.

Photo: Le Dong - VNA

Speaking at the event, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh stated: After more than four months of launching the competition, the Organizing Committee received 17,000 photo and video entries – a 1.7-fold increase compared to 2024. With a sense of responsibility and impartiality, the Judging Panel selected 36 winning entries, along with 150 outstanding photos and 29 outstanding videos for the exhibition. Each work is a true snapshot of life, a beautiful moment capturing the transformation of the country. All blend together to create a vibrant picture of a happy, civilized, and culturally rich Vietnam, strongly rising on its journey of integration and development. What is particularly noteworthy is that the authors come from diverse professions, age groups, regions, and ethnicities; they use a variety of equipment, from professional to simple. But they all share one thing in common: a deep love for their homeland and a desire to convey the image of a peaceful, beautiful, dynamic, and happy Vietnam to the world.

Established in 2023 and now in its third season, the Happy Vietnam 2025 Award continues to honor meaningful stories and moments that vividly reflect Vietnam's achievements in the field of human rights. This very humanistic value has inspired the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025, taking place on Ho Guom Walking Street from December 5th to 7th. The Award and the Fest aim to mobilize the strength of the people of Vietnam, the Vietnamese community abroad, and international friends to spread the image of an independent, free, and happy Vietnam.

Delegates attending the program

Photo: Le Dong - VNA

After more than three years of organization, the competition has received nearly 40,000 entries, a testament to the creativity, the spirit of spreading humanistic values, and the aspiration for happiness of the Vietnamese people. This number also reflects a Vietnam firmly positioned at 46th on the world happiness map, proud of the achievements and life values that each citizen cultivates.

At the ceremony, the Organizing Committee awarded the First Prize in the Photography category to the work "Vietnam – An Era of Rising Up" by author Pham Ngoc Long Thien and the First Prize in the Video category to the work "Happy Smiles" by author Luu Minh Khuong. The authentic and humane stories in each work contributed to spreading the spirit of happiness, sharing, and faith in the good values of the Vietnamese people.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh and other delegates present the first prize.

Photo: Le Dong - VNA

To create the video "Happy Smiles," author Luu Minh Khuong spent 2.5 years traveling throughout Vietnam to capture everyday moments of people, the beauty of working people, children in mountainous areas, and tourists visiting Vietnam.

The photograph "Vietnam – An Era of Rising" by Pham Ngoc Long Thien was taken on the evening of April 28, 2025, during the A50 event series – commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. The atmosphere at Bach Dang Wharf that day was vibrant and lively. Everyone – from children and elderly people to tourists – was radiant and eagerly awaiting the drone performance that would set a record. It was "Happy Vietnam" – the happiness of being a part of the flow of history and preserving it through a single image.

At the same time, 4 second prizes, 6 third prizes, and 20 consolation prizes were awarded to authors with outstanding works.

The authors who won second prize.

Photo: Le Dong - VNA

This year, the Vietnam News Agency continued to have authors with winning entries, including one Second Prize and two Consolation Prizes. Specifically, author Bui Cuong Quyet (Photo Editorial Board) received the Second Prize for his photo series: "ASEAN Cup 2024 Championship – The third time the Vietnamese national team conquers the pinnacle of Southeast Asian football" and a Consolation Prize for his photo series: "Reviving Lungs, a Miracle for Patients"; author Trinh Xuan Tu, a reporter from the Dien Bien Permanent Office, won a Consolation Prize for his video: "Technology Lights Up Hope".

Notably, the Organizing Committee awarded two Innovation prizes to two works (one photograph, one video) with new and creative ideas in terms of content and form of expression; and two Audience Choice prizes (based on audience feedback and selection of works that touched their hearts the most).

At the event, delegates scanned QR codes to "share happiness" with people in provinces severely affected by storms and floods. The donated funds will be transferred directly and transparently to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to be sent to those affected by natural disasters and floods. The total amount of donations will be announced on the Happy Vietnam program website at 10 PM on December 7th.

Happiness is not just about individual existence, but also about spreading and nurturing other hopes. The entire Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square was united in emotion as Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh and other delegates launched the "Lighting Up Happiness" commitment. This was a pledge to spread happiness to the entire nation in 34 provinces and cities across the country and to the world.

Source: https://chinhsachcuocsong.vnanet.vn/khang-dinh-thong-diep-ve-mot-viet-nam-doc-lap-tu-do-hanh-phuc/74200.html