Launching the Human Rights Media Award: “Happy Vietnam 2025”

Scene of the Award Launch Ceremony.

In September 2022, the Prime Minister approved the Project on human rights communication in Vietnam and to celebrate the country's major holidays in 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists and Vietnam Television to organize the annual human rights communication award called: "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2025".

In 2025, Vietnam will make great strides in the happiness index, rising to 46th place in the world , up 8 places compared to 2024 and 19 places compared to 2023. This is an important milestone, demonstrating the world's recognition and appreciation of Vietnam's policies and achievements in ensuring human rights in recent years.

“Happy Vietnam” is a human rights media award in Vietnam held annually. This is a popular award for authors, both professional and non-professional, Vietnamese and foreigners, at home or abroad, can participate. In 2025, the award will be held for the third time, launched nationwide to attract the participation of a large number of authors across the country.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh spoke at the Award Launch Ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh emphasized: Many international friends have had contacts with Vietnam. They all said that Vietnam has something that many other nations crave but do not have: peace, independence and a peaceful life. Therefore, we organize this Award to go deep into every corner, every aspect of each person, each character, but the remaining thing is a pride in the country and what we have. The Deputy Minister believes that, on the basis of the happiness that we have, we must raise the level of happiness to a higher level. This Award is not aimed at an Award Ceremony but needs to turn from happy moments or bursts of joy of each individual, to be spread widely in life as a process that starts from today and develops forever, to become the pride of the nation. Simple, everyday images are the most genuine and profound expression of happiness. Through the award, we spread a journey that evokes pride, gratitude and simple moments of happiness that exist all around.

The Award aims to mobilize the participation of the people in the country, overseas Vietnamese and international friends in creating photos, videos or having creative ideas, telling good stories, meaningful discoveries on the topic of happy Vietnam, thereby contributing to spreading positive images of the country, Vietnamese people, the precious cultural and historical traditions of the nation or the achievements of the country's socio-economic development to the public at home and abroad, contributing to enhancing the prestige and position of the country in the international arena. Authors, whether professional or non-professional, whether Vietnamese or foreign, from 15 years of age and older can participate in the Award.

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information, spoke at the Award Launch Ceremony.

At the launching ceremony, Mr. Pham Anh Tuan also said: The photo and video contest "Happy Vietnam" was organized 2 years ago, however, this is the first time "Happy Vietnam" has been approved as an annual media award on human rights.

Through the Award, the Organizing Committee wants to convey the message that Vietnam is growing strongly, making breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, all for the goal of a rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization and the clearest evidence is the authentic, vivid stories in pictures and videos, telling about a happy Vietnam, composed by the people themselves and submitted to the contest.

Regarding the Award Rules, Mr. Pham Anh Tuan emphasized that the entries must ensure legality, not violate copyright and current legal regulations. The entries must have high promotional value, meet the criteria of artistic quality, from content to form of expression must not violate Vietnamese customs and laws. The entries are encouraged to apply modern information technology and communication to create good communication effects for the public. The entries will be carefully selected by the Organizing Committee according to specific and clear criteria, stipulated in the Award Rules and judged impartially and objectively by leading experts, journalists, reputable photographers and filmmakers in 02 Judging Panels: Preliminary Judging Panel and Final Judging Panel.

Delegates visit the exhibition space of award-winning photos from the Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2024 contest.

The award includes 02 categories: Photo and video. The entries meet the criteria: Introduce and promote the image of the country, Vietnamese people, cultural values, nature across the country; arouse national pride and aspirations for development in all classes of people to join hands to build Vietnam to be more and more prosperous, prosperous and happy; Reflect truthfully and vividly the development achievements in all aspects of political, economic, cultural and social life of Vietnam, especially in the process of innovation, development and international integration; Convey valuable knowledge, attract strong public interest and have wide influence at home and abroad.

All works must be created from January 1, 2023 to the time of submission. The submitted photos have never won any awards or been selected for exhibition at regional, national, or international awards organized and coordinated by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. Authors are legally responsible for the copyright of their submitted works.

Time to receive entries for the Award: From May 22, 2025 to September 30, 2025. Entries are received online at : https://happy.vietnam.vn  

Each contest category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values: 01 First Prize: 50,000,000 VND; 02 Second Prizes: 30,000,000 VND; 03 Third Prizes: 15,000,000 VND; 10 Encouragement Prizes: 5,000,000 VND; 01 Most Voted Work Prize: 5,000,000 VND.

In addition, the Organizing Committee will award certificates of merit to the authors who won First, Second, Third Prizes and the locality with the most works participating in the Award; the locality with the most works winning First Prizes...

The winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the live broadcast of the Award Ceremony on Vietnam Television. The expected time for the Award Ceremony is the fourth quarter of 2025 in Hanoi.

Within the framework of the Award, a series of events and exhibitions will also take place, including: Organizing the "Happy Vietnam 2025" Human Rights Media Award Ceremony. This is an opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions of people across the country and overseas Vietnamese in the cause of building and developing the country for a strong, prosperous and happy Vietnam. The expected time of organization is in the fourth quarter of 2025 in Hanoi.

Organize an exhibition at the "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2025" Human Rights Media Award Ceremony. The exhibition honors and introduces to viewers the outstanding works that won awards and entered the final round of the "Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam 2025" Human Rights Media Award. The organization time is in the fourth quarter of 2025 (about 2 - 3 days) in Hanoi.

Organizing the "Happy Vietnam" photo and video exhibition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. Exhibition of award-winning works and finalists of the "Happy Vietnam" Awards. Time: Quarter II/2025 (2 days) in Hai Phong.

Organizing the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2. Exhibition of award-winning works and works that entered the final round of the "Happy Vietnam" Awards. Time of organization: Quarter III/2025 (in 3-5 days) in Ho Chi Minh City./.

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