HÀ NỘI — Nine-year old Bùi Mai Khuê won top prize at a children's story writing contest in Hà Nội on Sunday. 

Juror Masahito Hirano gives certificate to the contest Special Prize winner Bùi Mai Khuê. — Photo organisation board

Khuê's story Bướm Lá (Leaf Butterfly) won first prize in the elementary school and younger category of the JX-ENEOS Children's Story Award, earning her a VNĐ5 million (US$200) prize.

The annual contest has run in Japan since 1970 and was brought to Việt Nam last year by Việt Nam More Production and Kim Đồng Publishing House.

Khuê also won the Special Prize at the contest. Bướm Lá tells the adventures of yellow leaves that are thought to be butterflies. 

The story is inspired by the leaves falling from the tree a Khuê's mother showed her. 

"It stands out among the contest participating stories. It is told by careful observation with fictional and fantasy elements to convey meaning," wrote juror Nagano Hideko in a book publishing the award-winning stories. 

"Unique linguistic expressing and rhythmic sentences make the work touch the hearts of readers. I'm moved because of wonderful feelings in the story," continued the popular writer and cartoon illustrator in Japan.

Khuê is in fourth grade at Vietkids School and also entered the first contest held in Việt Nam last year. 

She said she would spend part of the cash prize to buy books for children in remote areas. 

"I want children to get to know about the contest and enter the contest next year to be winners like me," Khuê said at the award ceremony.

"I like going to Japan because my birthday is coming next month. I know Japan is a home of rising sun and sakura flower."

The elementary school and younger category brought laughter and surprise to the jurors and showed unlimited imagination, according to the organisation board. 

The jurors also presented two second and two third prizes in the category. 

The junior high school category's first prize went to 14-year old Nguyễn Diệu Linh Chi and Nguyễn Thế Vinh, 34, won first prize in the open category.

Winners at the high school category include one second and one third prize whilst the open category has one second prize and three third prizes.

Jurors included children’s writer Lê Phương Liên; Doctorate in Education and Chairwoman of Book Reading With Children Club Nguyễn Thụy Anh; JX Nippon Oil & Energy Vietnam Consulting and Holdings Masahito Hirano and others. 

About 500 entries were sent to the organisation board from April to June in Việt Nam. — VNS