Minister of Information and Communication Trương Minh Tuấn delivers speech at the contest launching ceremony yesterday. — Photo tienphong.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Information and Communications and the Việt Nam Youth Union yesterday launched a writing contest on Việt Nam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands for young overseas Vietnamese.

The contest, “Young overseas Vietnamese with the task to protect Việt Nam’s sovereignty over sea and islands” is for those aged from 16 to 35, and are living, studying or working overseas.

Entries to the contest are to be collections of data or materials proving the historical and lawful sovereignty of Việt Nam over the Hòang Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, initiatives or recommendations to better protect the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands and to develop the marine economy. Entries are to be in either Vietnamese or English.

The entries must be submitted by mail to the Việt Nam Youth Union Office, 64 Bà Triệu Street, Hà Nội and a soft copy to chuquyenbiendaoquehuong@gmail.com by the end of October.

The first prize winner will be given a certificate of merit from the Minister of Information and Communications, and the Youth Union along with VNĐ 30 million (US$1,350). Top winners will also get to visit the Trường Sa Island District.

The Minister of Information and Communication Trương Minh Tuấn said at the contest launch ceremony that the contest was expected to promote patriotism, national pride and knowledge of Việt Nam’s sea and islands among young overseas Vietnamese.

“Young people with their enthusiasm and knowledge can help other people - both Vietnamese and foreigners – learn more about Việt Nam, its sovereignty, its justice and policies in protecting its sovereignty over sea and islands,” he said.

Phạm Văn Linh, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity and Education, said there were more than 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese living in other countries around the world, and about 400,000 of them were intellectuals.

“Overseas Vietnamese intellectuals are working in scientific fields which are greatly useful to national protection and development, particularly to a more prosperous marine economy of Việt Nam,” he said. — VNS