Hoàng Ngọc Hân (front row, second from left) poses with other prize winners. — VNA/VNS Photo

HONG KONG — Vietnamese children won gold, silver and bronze prizes in both age groups at the global National Treasures Seeing the World painting contest, held in Hong Kong (China), with 13-year-old Hoàng Ngọc Hân taking the top prize in the youth category.

The awards ceremony took place at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District from August 24-27. The contest, organised by the Shine Tak Foundation of Hong Kong, attracted more than 10,000 participants aged 6-18 from 13 countries and territories, including China, Việt Nam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Iran, Guyana and Senegal.

Eighty outstanding paintings were selected for display at the awards ceremony, showcasing cultural diversity and the creativity of young people.

Hân won the gold prize in the youth category with The Lạc Bird of Homeland, a painting inspired by the Lạc bird, a symbol of freedom, independence and enduring vitality associated with Đông Sơn bronze drums.

The work brings together images of the sky, land and sea, along with rivers, mountains and a large school of fish symbolising prosperity and the continuation of cultural traditions across generations.

“However high the Lạc bird flies, it always turns back to its homeland. To me, it symbolises the connection between Việt Nam's proud past and its bright future,” Hân said.

Vietnamese contestants also secured the silver and bronze prizes in the youth category. Bùi Thái Khanh, 17, won silver for The Crane and Heritage Symbols in the Vietnamese Soul, while  Nguyễn Thị Hoài Chuyên, 14, won bronze for The Legend of the Dragon and Fairy.

In the children’s category, Ngô Mai Linh, 8, won gold for The Journey of Three Turtles, Ngô Mai Vy, 12, took silver for Horse Returns, Success Comes, and Lê Khả Hân, 6, won bronze for Beautiful Natural Scenery.

The winning works will continue to be exhibited in Hong Kong and published in a commemorative album to be sent to government agencies, education institutions and libraries in participating countries. Award-winning contestants also joined cultural tours, technology experiences and community exchanges in Hong Kong. — VNA/VNS