HÀ NỘI — A ceremony to grant 42 awards to literary works about Vietnamese war invalids, martyrs and significant contributors to the nation’s revolution was held on Monday in Hà Nội.

Jointly held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Vietnam Writers’ Association, the ceremony is among the activities organised to commemorate the 70th anniversary of War Invalids’ and Martyrs’ Day (1947-2017).

Honorary awards were presented to three writers - Lê Văn Ba, Đặng Vương Hưng and Minh Chuyên. In the prose category, the organisation board awarded three first prizes, six second prizes, five third prizes and six fourth prizes. In the poem category, there was no first prize; however two second prizes, 11 third prizes and five forth prizes were rewarded.

According to Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung, the literary works writing contest to honour Vietnamese war martyrs, invalids and significant contributors to the nation’s revolutionary struggle was supported tremendously by Vietnamese writers and poets nationwide during its launch from January until June.

The contest received over 800 literary works, many of which have never been officially published in any form. The works, written from 1947 to 2017, have left a strong impression on the readers and are associated with generations of Vietnamese people. They have also condensed the great determination and revolutionary ideology of many Vietnamese youth who volunteered to fight on the battlefields for the nation’s independence, freedom, peace and reunification.

“Millions of Vietnamese heroes courageously fought and fell in the two resistance wars against French and American colonists and the border war in the north, becoming an everlasting source of inspiration for many Vietnamese writers and poets to compose significant works. The image of these soldiers, particularly the war martyrs, invalids and brave heroes, was recaptured beautifully and made immortal through these works. The aim is to honour their noble sacrifice and pay tribute to the war heroes and martyrs who donated their youth for the nation’s peace, reunification, freedom and independence,” the minister confirmed.

Also on this occasion, Minister Dung expressed his gratitude to families of the war martyrs, invalids and significant contributors to the nation’s revolution, as well as generations of Vietnamese writers who have created excellent literary works.

He also expressed his hope that the literary works submitted to the contest would continue to impress readers and contribute to educating the young generation about the national traditions of protecting and building the country. — VNS