A cartoon symbolising the extinction of the rhino won top prize at thethird The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports and Culture) newspaper's presscaricature competition, which, this year, focused on the environment.

HaNoi-based Tran Hai Nam was granted the Bamboo Dragon Cup for hisMieng Ghep Nguoc (Upside-down Piece) at the award ceremony on March 28.

Therhino cartoon was made in many parts, with the piece representing therhino's head placed upside down. It was designed to remind people of thefact that the rhino is now extinct in Vietnam .

"The pieces are arranged in the wrong way, similar to the way people behave with the environment," said Nam .

"Thecompetition is an interesting playing field for artists, especially foramateur painters who love cartoon like me," he said.

The competition received support from the Danish Embassy through its Cultural Development and Exchange Fund.

DanishAmbassador to Vietnam John Nielsen stressed at the launch of thecompetition that "cartoons are a humorous way to create interest andraise awareness about critical issues such as the environment".

"The fact that the environment was chosen as this year's theme is veryrelevant. Vietnam is facing a number of critical environmentalissues due to rapid economic development and the effects of climatechange," he said.

Vietnam is among the countries sufferingthe most from pollution and environmental damages, making it veryimportant to focus on the problem.

Launched last November, theorganising board received nearly 500 entries from amateur andprofessional painters throughout the country.

The artworks will be sold to raise money for the Vietnam News Agency's Agent Orange Pain Fund.-VNA