When people shine through the ordinary.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, and President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists Tran Thi Thu Dong presented commemorative medals and certificates to the First Prize winner Pham Ngoc Long Thien.

On the evening of December 6th, at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, amidst the shimmering Ho Guom lake and the vibrant music of the Happy Vietnam 2025 festival, thousands of people witnessed the moment when the annual "Happy Vietnam 2025" human rights award was presented.

But more than just a celebration, this is a space where the light of Vietnamese culture—gentle, humane, and enduring—is illuminated from the simplest forms.

The photo "Vietnam - An Era of Emergence" by Pham Ngoc Long Thien, taken on the evening of April 28, 2025, during the A50 event series (50th anniversary of the reunification of the country). Photo: Pham Ngoc Long Thien

In Vietnam, human rights are not a distant concept. They are present in the smiles of children, in the peace of every family, in the vibrant colors of festivals, and in every street corner where people feel safe, share, and hope. After three years of organization, the Award has transcended a creative playground to become a social movement – a cultural current spreading through the language of beauty: images and emotions.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh, President of the Vietnam Film Association Do Le Hung Tu, and Editor-in-Chief of Photography and Life Magazine Ho Sy Minh presented commemorative medals and certificates to the authors who won Second Prize.

The 17,000 entries this year – a 1.7-fold increase compared to 2024 – not only demonstrate the appeal of the competition but also reflect the desire of every citizen to capture the beauty of their country. A simple yet vibrant Vietnam emerges in each artwork: a children's library on a rock in the highlands, a bustling early morning market, a colorful traditional craft festival, or everyday moments where the flow of modernity blends with cultural depth.

Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television Do Duc Hoang, Deputy General Director of Vietnam News Agency Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung, and Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists Le Nguyen presented commemorative plaques and certificates to the authors who won Third Prize.

"These works have been taken throughout Vietnam – from Dien Bien to Hanoi, from Hai Phong to Ho Chi Minh City – and then reached the world through exhibitions in Russia, Thailand, Venezuela, Australia, Sweden… 97 Vietnamese diplomatic missions have also incorporated them into their national image promotion activities. Not through forceful pronouncements, but through authentic glimpses of life, the world sees a peaceful, creative, compassionate, and happy Vietnam," emphasized Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh.

Comrade Le Hai Binh, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivered the opening speech at the ceremony.

The most beautiful aspect of the Award lies in the diversity of its participants: farmers, students, engineers, artists, senior citizens, young people… from all regions and ethnic groups. Their cameras may be professional equipment or just simple mobile phones. But what they all share is a love for their country, pride in Vietnamese culture, and a desire to share its beauty.

Delegates attending the ceremony

Happy Vietnam 2025: Affirming the message of an Independent, Free, and Happy Vietnam.

Therefore, each work is not just a photograph or a video. It is the narrative of a nation rising strongly in the digital age while still preserving the values that form the soul of Vietnam: kindness, community spirit, resilience, and faith in the future.

In 2025, Vietnam will climb 8 places in the Global Happiness Index, ranking 46th in the world. This is not only international recognition but also the result of development policies that place people at the center: ensuring social security, promoting innovation, developing a sustainable private economy, building a healthy cultural environment, and expanding development opportunities for all citizens.

Looking deeper, Vietnam's happiness is not measured by income or growth rate, but by quality of life: kindness in the community, peace in material life, and flourishing in spiritual culture. These values create Vietnam's soft power in international integration – a young, stable nation rich in identity, ready to tell the world its beautiful stories.

The moment delegates scanned QR codes to send support to flood victims transformed the awards ceremony into a cultural act. Happiness is not just something to be seen, but also something to be given. And Vietnamese culture is most beautiful when it spreads through the spirit of solidarity, compassion, and sharing.

The "Happy Vietnam" exhibition is part of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 series of activities.

And it is from these simple yet radiant moments that the world sees a happy Vietnam – not through grand gestures, but through things that are uniquely Vietnamese: happiness that comes from the people, from the culture, from the unity of the entire nation.