The competition, which focused on human rights in Vietnam, was launched in June by the Authority of Foreign Information Service of the Ministry of Information and Communications. It attracted 7,000 entries from Vietnam and other countries.

28 entries won awards and 70 photos and 14 videos were selected for an exhibition that opened the day of the award ceremony.

More than 90 million people have viewed the 7,000 entries, 40% of them from abroad, on the website vietnam.vn.

Addressing the award ceremony, Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Information and Communications, said each work depicts an interesting story, a happy memory, or a perspective on enduring life’s hardships with a smile.

These 7,000 photos and videos by Vietnamese people nationwide are vivid illustrations of the strength, creativity, and vitality of the nation. Digital technology has facilitated their creativity, said Hung.

“No matter where they are, with a smartphone and 4G/5G technology, they can contribute their voice. ‘Happy Vietnam’ is not just a contest. It’s a festival of Vietnamese people sharing their happy lives. That happiness is in every house, every field, every village, and every street,” said Hung.

Pham Quang Linh, a Vietnamese who lives in Angola, said, “By participating in the contest I simply wanted to share my pride in being Vietnamese. No matter where I am, wherever I go, whatever I do, I always try to make Vietnam happier.”

One first prize, one second prize, one third prize, and 10 consolation prizes were awarded in both the photo and the video category.