The French Institute in Vietnam and Kim Dong Publishing House honored the winners of the inaugural comic creation contest, with awards presented at a ceremony held on May 27.
The first prize went to Bai van ve trung vit lon (Essay on Balut Eggs) by author Tran Khac Khoan. The story, told from the perspective of a young boy about his mother’s street food business, touched a painter who was reminded of his own father.
French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and her delegation visit Kim Dong Bookstore.
According to illustrator Ta Huy Long, the work stood out for its “professional narrative, thematic development, and pacing.” Khoan’s storytelling resonated with both younger and older audiences by capturing familiar moments of everyday life.
Second prize was awarded to Cao Hoang Anh Thu for But chi do (Red Pencil), a story that follows an adventure into a magical world through a powerful red pencil, infused with strong elements of Vietnamese culture.
Nguyen Pham Duy Trang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and Chairwoman of the Central Young Pioneer Council (right), and French Culture Minister Rachida Dati present flowers to Tran Khac Khoan, winner of the First National Comic Storytelling Contest.
Speaking at the event, French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati emphasized the essential role of culture in connecting people and fostering lasting international cooperation. She praised the contest as a milestone in a broader regional initiative supporting cultural and creative industries.
Launched in mid-2024, the competition drew over 100 submissions from across Vietnam. Kim Dong Publishing also released bilingual editions of the winning entries.
The second edition of the contest is now accepting submissions through June 2025.
Translated by DO HUONG
VNQD