The contest created a meaningful art platform, rich in humanity, that reaffirmed the enduring vitality of an activity closely tied to Hanoi's children and international friends for many years.
Overview of the event.
The event was part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, as well as the 26th anniversary of Hanoi being recognized by UNESCO as a "City for Peace."
With messages of peace, cooperation, and love for Hanoi, the 2025 contest received more than 38,000 entries from 345 schools, clubs, and organizations in the city, along with over 200 submissions from international children of various nationalities, including the UK, India, Argentina, Italy, South Korea, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Japan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
These came through embassies, international organizations, and international schools.
The record number of submissions reflected the strong engagement of schools, art clubs, parents, and society at large in educating the young through art. It also highlighted the appeal of Hanoi as an ancient city of culture and peace as well as the growing influence of the contest.
Beyond a creative playground for children, the contest has become a cultural bridge nurturing compassion and offering a space for children worldwide to share dreams of a future without war or poverty.
Artworks at the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Pham Xuan Tai said the contest succeeded thanks to the leadership and support of the city, the active involvement of the education sector, and the cooperation between the department and the Union of Friendship Organizations.
This collaboration enhanced the contest's reputation and scale while spreading the spirit of solidarity and international friendship. He also emphasized that UNESCO's title of "City for Peace," awarded to Hanoi in 1999, remains a source of pride and motivation for the capital to keep building peace and sustainable development while striving toward a cultured, civilized, and modern city.
The entries this year were diverse in style and subject, from colorful depictions of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter to creative portrayals of a modern, dynamic Hanoi blending tradition with integration.
After two rigorous rounds, 91 outstanding works were selected, ensuring fairness, transparency, and professional standards.
According to painter Nguyen Van Truc, Head of the Creative Board of the Hanoi Theater Artists Association, the contest was not only a meaningful artistic activity but also an opportunity to nurture love for the homeland, inspire aesthetics, and cultivate aspirations for a prosperous and humane capital.
The artworks conveyed clear messages of peace, reflecting children's innocence and their belief in a bright future. A special feature of this year's contest was that students painted at home rather than in centralized sessions, which increased both the number of submissions and the overall consistency of quality.
At the ceremony, the organizers honored 91 young contestants with total awards worth more than VND120 million (US$4.8 million).
Prizes included one First Prize, 10 Second Prizes, 20 Third Prizes, 30 Consolation Prizes, 10 Thematic Consolation Prizes, and 20 Additional Prizes.
With her painting "The Lake I Love," Nguyen Ha Anh from Le Huu Tuu Primary School won the First Prize of this year's contest.
The competition has become a cultural and artistic activity that spreads love for Hanoi, the aspiration for peace, and national pride among young generations, while also promoting the image of Hanoi as a creative, cultured, civilized, and modern city to international friends.