The Fruit Sculpture Art Contest and the Green Unity Campaign Contest organised by the Suối Tiên Theme Park in HCM City’s District 9 announce their winners at a ceremony on June 9. — VNS Photo Gia Linh

HCM CITY — Winners of the Fruit Sculpture Art Contest and the Green Unity Campaign Contest organised by the Suối Tiên Theme Park in HCM City’s District 9 received their awards at a ceremony on June 9.

The competitions are a highlight of the park’s annual Southern Fruit Festival held from June 1 to August 31 this year.

This was the 27th year the Fruit Sculpture Art Contest was held.

Taking part in it were artisans from places like HCM City and Bến Tre, Tiền Giang, Long An, Đồng Nai, and Bình Dương provinces, most of them descendants of veterans who participated in the competition for up to 20 years.

A gigantic frame is made first before various fruits and vegetables are glued onto it and lighting is added.

Trần Thị Bắc of Long An Province told Việt Nam News that her work took 25 days to finish.

“I combined a variety of fruits and vegetables such as chilli, kumquat, coconut, pumpkin, and betel nut.

“For example, the flying dragons are made from mulberry, and the fruits of tropical almond trees are used to build the dragon head at the bottom.”

The works were categorized by size for the prizes. Those in group A were 3.5-4.5 metres tall.

Lâm Minh Tiến of Đồng Nai won the first prize of VNĐ35 million (US$1,377) for his Đất Việt - Rạng Danh Con Cháu Lạc Hồng (The Land of Việt Nam - The Pride of Lạc Hồng People) built with 105 types of fruits and vegetables.

Lâm Minh Tiến, an artisan from Đồng Nai Province, and his project Đất Việt - Rạng Danh Con Cháu Lạc Hồng (The Land of Việt Nam - The Pride of Lạc Hồng People), which wins the first prize of group A. — VNA Photo Tấn Đạt

Bắc won second prize for her Hồ Chí Minh Sáng Mãi Tên Người (President Hồ Chí Minh's name will shine forever).

Group B consisted of works 2.5-3.5 metres high.

Its first prize of VNĐ20 million (US$786) went to Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh Người Cha Già Kính Yêu Của Dân Tộc Việt Nam (President Hồ Chí Minh, the Great Father of the Vietnamese People) by Nguyễn Tiến Phương Khanh of HCM City.

The Green Unity Campaign Contest was held for the first time to raise awareness about environmental protection and creating a green, clean and safe environment.

The projects were divided into five categories: recycled and upcycled items, using green energy and energy saving, being air- and water-friendly, being interactive and educational, and being eco-friendly.

Six out of the 100 participants reached the final on June 6 and gave presentations about their environment-friendly products such as household items, artworks, educational tools, and inventions to protect the environment.

The first prize of VNĐ10 million (US$392) went to the An Ninh Xanh (Green Security) team of Lý Tuấn Vũ and Lâm Hà Phúc Ẩn for their learning tool on climate change.

The An Ninh Xanh (Green Security) team won the first prize for their learning tool on climate change in the first Green Unity Campaign Contest held by the park. — Photo courtesy of An Ninh Xanh team

The annual Southern Fruit Festival features tropical fruits, honours farmers, and promotes cultural and tourism activities.

In the first week it has attracted over 100,000 visitors and sold over 100 tonnes of fruit. – VNS