VNA General Director Vũ Việt Trang (first, left) presents the Cricket Knight Award to composer Phạm Tuyên (sitting) at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

HÀ NỘI - Winners of the sixth “Dế Mèn” (Cricket) Children’s Awards were announced at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in Hà Nội on May 28, with composer Phạm Tuyên receiving the grand prize “Hiệp sĩ Dế Mèn” (Cricket Knight) for his lifelong contributions to children’s music.

His body of work includes timeless compositions, notably “Về quê – Khúc đồng dao của bé” (Back to the countryside – A child’s folk melody), co-authored with Phạm Hồng Tuyến.

VNA General Director Vũ Việt Trang attended the ceremony and presented the prestigious award to the veteran musician.

In her remarks, Trang congratulated the laureates and highlighted the noble mission of the annual awards - to celebrate literary and artistic works inspired by and dedicated to children – the future of the nation. She expressed particular admiration for Phạm Tuyên, describing his title as a testament to the love and respect generations of children and the public hold for him.

She emphasised that the Dế Mèn Children’s Awards is not just an artistic platform but also a place where imagination, compassion and dreams can take flight. Trang expressed her appreciation for the enthusiastic response from a diverse range of participants, including seasoned authors and young talents – all “Cricket Knights” in their own right.

Each awarded piece should become a lifelong companion for children, she said, expressing hope that they will enrich their childhood with wonder and creativity.

VNA General Director Vũ Việt Trang speaks at the ceremony. VNA/VNS Photo

She hailed the award's new collaboration with the Vietnam Education Publishing House and singer-songwriter Nguyễn Văn Chung, the event’s 2025 Inspiration Ambassador, expressing her belief that such partnerships would further strengthen literary and artistic activities for children and help nurture a generation of strong, confident and compassionate Vietnamese youth.

Journalist Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Editor-in-Chief of Thể Thao & Văn Hóa (Sports & Culture) and head of the Organising Board, said that this year’s contest received hundreds of entries from across the country – ranging from comic books and short stories to poetry, fine arts, and performance works.

Each work is a world of its own, full of emotion and surprises, he said.

He extended his thanks to all the writers, parents and teachers who supported the contest, and expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnam Education Publishing House, media organisations and others who have helped bring the dreams of children to life.

Thuật voiced hope that the awards will continue to spark creative flames, helping children’s literature and the arts soar ever higher.

Apart from the Cricket Knight Award, the Organising Board announced five Cricket Desire Awards among ten shortlisted works.

The five Cricket Desire Awards went to a series of paintings by 13-year-old artist Phạm Hải Nguyên; “Có một Trái đất phẳng trong mắt em” (There’s a flat Earth in my eyes), a poetry manuscript by Lý Thăng Long; “Cuốn cổ thư của một mẫu thần” (The ancient tome of a Mother Goddess), a story by Nguyễn Hoàng Diệu Thúy from Kim Đồng Publishing House; two books by Dy Duyên – “Từ những ruộng rau ở nông trại Cúc Cu” (From the vegetable fields of Cúc Cu farm - illustrated by Đom Đóm) and “Những thứ bạn dùng để lấp đầy một cái hồ” (Things you use to fill a hole - illustrated by Thanh Vũ), published by Kim Đồng Publishing House; and “Trang trai cuối rừng” (The farm at the forest’s edge) by Phạm Công Luận, also published by Kim Đồng Publishing House.

Certificates of merit was also given to works reaching the final round.

The awards’ Inspiration Ambassador Nguyễn Văn Chung said he believes every child holds a magical world within them. “If we plant seeds of kindness, love and creativity, those seeds will blossom into rich, fragrant fruit. I’m proud to accompany the Dế Mèn Children’s Awards – a platform that inspires and shares the best of what we can give to Vietnamese children.”

Launched by the VNA's Thể Thao & Văn Hóa newspaper in 2020, the Dế Mèn Children’s Awards is held annually to honour outstanding creative works either by or for children. The awards comprise the Cricket Knight grand prize, several Cricket Desire prizes, and other discretionary commendations from the jury.

This year’s judging panel was chaired by poet Trần Đăng Khoa, Vice President of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, and included artist Thành Chương, Associate Professor Dr. Ngô Văn Giá, poet Nguyễn Tiến Thanh, and journalist Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, among others.

Over five seasons, the Cricket Knight Award has gone to writer Nguyễn Nhật Ánh (2020), Trần Đức Tiến (2023) and Lý Lan (2024). A total of 23 Cricket Desire Awards and 4 commendations have been presented, including seven child authors.

In its sixth year, the awards once again celebrated outstanding works across literature, visual arts and music, reinforcing its role as a cherished cultural initiative nurturing the creative spirit of Việt Nam’s younger generation. VNA/VNS