“Previously, the Life’s Gifts program of Vietnam Television was produced based on foreign stories. From now on, the award-winning works from the Life’s Gifts Short Story Writing Contest will be adapted into films for broadcast on this program. These films, based on the winning stories, will also be submitted to domestic and international film festivals.”
This announcement was made by Mrs. Đỗ Thị Thanh Hương, Content Director of Sunrise Media Joint Stock Company, a member of the organizing committee, at the award ceremony of the Life’s Gifts Short Story Writing Contest, jointly organized by Vietnam Television (VTV), Global Petroleum Bank (GPBank), and Sunrise Media Joint Stock Company on the afternoon of December 6 in Hanoi.
The contest had no First Prize. Two Second Prizes, each worth 20 million VND, were awarded to the short stories “Wake Up and Smile” by Trần Thái Hồng and “The Priceless Doll” by Hồ Uyên Sa. At the same event, the organizers also awarded three Third Prizes (each worth 10 million VND) to the works “The Strange Painting” (by Chu Thanh Hương), “Migratory Birds” (by Phạm Thu Hằng), and “The Basket of Red Apples” (by Trần Thị Phương Trinh), as well as nine Consolation Prizes (each worth 1 million VND).
In addition, three Special Prizes were presented: one for the author with the largest number of submissions who also had a work reach the finals, one for an author in special circumstances whose work reached the finals, and one “Friendly Prize” for a story about banking.
Following the contest, a book titled “Life’s Gifts”—featuring all the award-winning works and other high-quality submissions—will be published and made available in bookstores nationwide.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Mr. Nguyễn Nhân Lập, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Animation Studio and General Director of the Life’s Gifts program, said: “The Life’s Gifts Short Story Writing Contest has attracted massive participation from television audiences across the country, spanning all regions, ages, professions, and educational backgrounds. This shows the powerful resonance that the Life’s Gifts program has brought to millions of viewers.”
The “Life’s Gifts” Short Story Writing Contest is expected to become an annual event.
The contest was launched in December 2010, shortly after the Life’s Gifts program officially aired on Vietnam Television. It received 700,312 entries from 547,230 authors.
The contest aimed to provide television audiences with a creative platform—a place to exchange and share profound reflections on life. Through the Life’s Gifts program, these meaningful messages continue to serve as a bridge reaching the hearts of millions of viewers.
Reporter: Thúy Mơ (Vietnam+)