Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Communications and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia (first left) presents the award to an outstanding individual. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

Launched in July, the contest themed “Fatherland by the waves” was open to all Vietnamese citizens at home and abroad and foreigners working or studying in Vietnam. In 5 months, the contest attracted 15 million entries.

At the award ceremony, Nguyen Trong Nghia, head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Communications and Education, said he hopes the contestants will be “ambassadors” spreading interest in issues related to seas, islands, and territorial sovereignty.

Based on the results of this year’s contest, Nghia suggested that Party Committees and authorities at all levels organize more activities to raise awareness of the role Vietnam’s seas and islands play in the cause of national construction and defense.

Such activities arouse patriotism, national pride, and a desire to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus strengthening Vietnam as a maritime country with sustainable and prosperous development, he said.