Ten outstanding short stories were honored at the awards ceremony of the 2022-2024 Short Story Contest on July 24, organized by Van Nghe Weekly Newspaper under the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The two-year contest concluded with second prizes awarded to “Bờ sông lặng sóng” (Still Waters by the Riverside) by Vu Ngoc Thu and “Trăm ngàn”( Hundred Thousand) by Ngo Tu Ngan. Third prizes went to “Nhi thư” (Letter from the Younger Daughter) by Ha Dinh Can and “Miền xa ngái” (A Distant Land) by Pham Xuan Hung. Fourth prizes were given to six works, including “Núi vỡ”(Broken Mountain), “Cây gạo ở chợ chiều” (The Bombax Tree at the Afternoon Market), “Tiếng vọng”(The Echo), “Đất ao” (Pondland), “Thư viện người” (The Human Library), and “Rượu hoa mất trí”(Forgetful Blossom Wine).
The organizers present Second Prizes (no First Prize was awarded) to authors Vu Ngoc Thu and Ngo Tu Ngan.
Speaking at the award ceremony, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, President of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, emphasized that short stories are a distinctive and enduring form of Vietnamese literature, capturing both joy and pain, beauty and hope. “Every story is a slice of life, a unique voice. I hope writers continue to speak with boldness and authenticity,” he said.
Writer Nguyen Binh Phuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, and Chair of the jury, speaks at the event.
Writer Nguyen Binh Phuong, the association’s Vice President and Chair of the jury, noted that most entries offered sharp, responsible reflections on contemporary society, highlighting both its triumphs and its unresolved wounds.
The organizers present Third Prizes to authors Ha Dinh Can and Pham Xuan Hung.
The organizers present Fourth Prizes to the awarded authors.
Translated by DO HUONG
VNQD