HÀ NỘI — Noted late poet Nguyễn Thị Xuân Quỳnh (1942-1988) has been posthumously given the Hồ Chí Minh Prize in Literature and Arts, the highest ranking award of its kind in the country.

She was the last name in the list of prize winners in 2016 signed by President Trần Đại Quang.

Quỳnh has got the award for her two collections, Lời Ru Trên Mặt Đất (Lullabies on Earth) and Bầu Trời Trong Quả Trứng (Sky on the Egg), both distinguished works that contributed towards building socialism and strengthening the country’s resistance to foreign invasions.

Quỳnh was recruited and trained to work as a dancer for the Central Art Troupe in 1955. Between 1962 and 1964, she joined a writing course organised by the Writers’ Association. She then worked for Văn Nghệ (Liteature and Arts) newspaper, Phụ Nữ (Women) newspaper and Tác Phẩm Mới (New Work) publishing house. She died in a car accident in 1988 along with her husband, noted poet Lưu Quang Vũ, and her 13-year-old son Lưu Khánh Thơ. By then she had published dozens of poetry and prose anthologies.

Considered one of the most distinguished poets of the 20th century in Việt Nam, her poems are full of emotions and reflect the deep feelings of an emotional woman and mother. Many of her poems are very popular, including Thuyền và Biển (Boat and Sea), Sóng (Wave) and Thơ Tình Cuối Mùa Thu (Love Song for End of Autumn), and some have been composed into songs.

She was given the State Prize in Literature and Arts posthumously in 2001.

On January 5, 2017, the President published a decision to give the same prize to 10 other authors and groups who have published excellent work in the field of literature and art.

The living authors and artists who are recipients of the prize include People’s artists Lê Ngọc Canh and Chu Thúy Quỳnh, drama stage researcher Mịch Quang and composer Chu Minh.

Others who have got the award posthumously are writer Nguyễn Xuân Thiều (1930-2007), writer Trần Hữu Mai (1926-2007) and composer Hoàng Hà (1929-2013).

The President has also given the State Prize in Literature and Arts to 56 living people and groups, and 11 late artists.

The Hồ Chí Minh Prize in Literature and Arts is the highest award of its kind given by the State to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the field, and so far, it has been given five times, in 1996, 2000, 2005, 2012 and 2016.

The State Prize in Literature and Arts is the second-highest ranking national award, and has been given in 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2016. — VNS