Vietnamese writer Tran Mai Hanh was awarded the 2015 South East Asian Writers Awards (SEA Writer Awards) for his novel “Bien Ban Chien Tranh 1-2-3-4.75” (War Minutes January-April, 1975) .
Vietnamese writer Tran Mai Hanh speaks at the granting ceremony (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Vietnamese writer Tran Mai Hanh was awarded the 2015 South East Asian Writers Awards (SEA Writer Awards) for his novel “Bien Ban Chien Tranh 1-2-3-4.75” (War Minutes January-April, 1975) .
Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana presented the honour to the writer at a ceremony in Bangkok , Thailand on December 14.
Speaking at the ceremony, writer Tran Mai Hanh said he is proud to receive the award, adding that the selection of his book for the award has woken up memories of Vietnamese people’s great sacrifices for national independence and unification.
Publishe⛦d by the National Political Publishing House in 2014, Hanh’s novel won the highest prize in the prose category by the Vietnam Writer’s Association t🌠hat same year.
It covers the historic fall of the American-backed Saigon regime and the fate of most of its leaders.
The 19-chapter novel is based on interviews with and confessions from figures in key positions in the Saigon regime. It depicts the collapse of defence lines around Saigon in detail by drawing on original telegraphs, meeting minutes from regime leaders, newspaper articles and Saigon radio broadcasts between January and April of 1975.
In the 2015 reprint of the novel, the publishing house added 21 documents collected by Hanh after April 30, 1975, which were considered top secret minutes of the puppet government.
Hanh, a veteran journalist of the Vietnam News Agency, was a member of the agency's special mission to cover key military units that marched south to liberate Saigon in the spring of 1975. He now works as a senior advisor of the To Quoc online newspaper.
The SEA Writer Awards , which was first co-organised in 1979 by the Thai Royal Family, the PEN Club of Thailand, and the Thai Writers Association, aims to discover and promote leading literature talents in the region.
As many as 18 Vietnamese writers and poets have won the awꦕard since Vietn🦂am sent first entries to the award in 1996.-VNA
Foreign writers have suggested that the Vietnamese Government promote cooperation with other countries to spread Vietnamese literature around the world.
A seminar on the historical novel “Bien Ban Chien Tranh 1-2-3-4.75” (War Minutes January-April, 1975) by veteran journalist Tran Mai Hanh was held in Hanoi on April 16, providing in-depth analysis of the work.
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Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
Vietnamese writer Tran Mai Hanh speaks at the granting ceremony (Photo: VNA)
