HÀ NỘI — Veteran songwriter Phạm Tuyên, renowned for the beloved tune Như Có Bác Trong Ngày Vui Đại Thắng (Like Having Uncle Hồ on the Great Victory Day), has been honoured with the Grand Prize Hiệp Sĩ Dế Mèn (Cricket Knight) at the 6th Dế Mèn Awards for Children.

From left, Vietnam News Agency General Director Vũ Việt Trang and Jury Chairman poet Trần Đăng Khoa congratulate 'Cricket Knight' songwriter Phạm Tuyên and his daughter, Phạm Hồng Tuyến. Photo courtesy of the organiser

At the award ceremony in Hà Nội on May 28, the 96-year-old composer was recognised for his lifelong dedication to children through timeless musical works. Among his more than 700 songs, over 200 were specifically written for young audiences.

Iconic melodies like Chiếc Đèn Ông Sao (The Star-shaped Lantern), Cánh Én Tuổi Thơ (Swallows of Childhood) and Tiến Lên Đoàn Viên (To Become a Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Member) have become cherished memories for generations.

Beyond his well-known compositions, Phạm Tuyên also holds a lesser-known 'treasure trove' – 41 traditional folk rhymes that he set to music, preserving the warmth and essence of Việt Nam’s landscapes, people and folklore. After years confined to his music notebook, this collection was finally introduced through the book project Khúc Đồng Dao Của Bé (Children’s Nursery Rhymes), narrated by his daughter, journalist Phạm Hồng Tuyến.

Songwriter Phạm Tuyên’s handwritten music notebook, featuring his children's songs, along with published collections of his works, on display at the Dế Mèn Awards ceremony on May 28. VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

Khúc Đồng Dao Của Bé is a five-volume book series, with Về Quê (Going to the Countryside) as the first published volume. More than just a collection of songs, this multimedia book blends storytelling, music, illustrations and QR codes for listening to narrated stories and melodies, offering an immersive experience for children.

With its educational and cultural significance, Khúc Đồng Dao Của Bé was named one of the ten finalists of this year's awards season. The project also led the jury to award Phạm Tuyên the Cricket Knight Grand Prize, recognising his entire career.

The Sports & Culture newspaper, organiser of the awards, also presented the Khát Vọng Dế Mèn (Cricket Desire) Prize to Lý Thăng Long, a 25-year-old poet serving in the Đồng Nai Provincial Military Command, for his poetry collection Có Một Trái Đất Phẳng Trong Mắt Em (There Is a Flat Earth in My Eyes).

Young soldier Lý Thăng Long, accompanied by his parents, receives the Cricket Desire Prize thanks for his poetry collection Có Một Trái Đất Phẳng Trong Mắt Em (There Is a Flat Earth in My Eyes). Photo courtesy of the organiser

Additionally, literary works such as Cuốn Cổ Thư Của Một Mẫu Thần (The Ancient Book of a Mother Goddess) by Nguyễn Hoàng Diệu Thủy, Trang Trại Cuối Rừng (The Farm at the Forest’s Edge) by Phạm Công Luận and Từ Những Ruộng Rau Ở Nông Trại Cúc Cu (From the Vegetable Fields at Cuckoo Farm) and Những Thứ Bạn Dùng Để Lấp Một Cái Hố (What You Use to Fill a Hole) – both by Dy Duyên – were also awarded the Cricket Desire Prize.

Among the honorees was 13-year-old schoolboy Phạm Hải Nguyên from Lạng Sơn Province, recognised for his semi-abstract painting collection that explores both human depth and youthful innocence.

Renowned artist Thành Chương expressed his admiration for the young talent, marvelling at the maturity and depth of his artwork. He remarked: "Children today experience a diverse world and absorb information and culture from many sources. Their perspective is far deeper than in our time."

A painting in the prize-winning collection from the 13-year-old schoolboy Phạm Hải Nguyên. Photo courtesy of the organiser

Vice President of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, poet Trần Đăng Khoa, who chaired the jury, praised the entries for their increasing depth, vividness and quality across literature, painting and music.

“I believe that all these works will ultimately reach children – their intended audience – not just the ones selected and awarded by the jury,” he said.

Launched in 2020 by the Sports & Culture newspaper of the Vietnam News Agency, the Dế Mèn Awards for Children celebrates outstanding works by and for children, taking inspiration from Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (Adventures of a Cricket), the famed literary classic by Tô Hoài. VNS