The ceremony was co-organised by the History Development Foundation, the Vietnamese Society of Historical Sciences and the Ministry of Education and Training. Organisers hoped to awaken students’ passion for studying history, which has been waning in recent years.
Six first prizes, 51 second prizes, 73 third prizes and 87 consolation prizes were awarded for this year’s exam. Students from the northern province of Nam Dinh and Vinh Phuc recorded the top scores. A Hanoian student received a first prize for the first time.
Additionally, six of the first prizes in this year’s exam went to female students.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Phan Huy Le, president of the VSHS, stressed that history should be a mandatory subject at school because it provides students with essential basic knowledge and also nurtures love for the nation and respect for Vietnamese and global historical values.
Tran Thi Thu Thuy, a student from Nam Dinh who received a first prize at this year’s exam, said that the prize comes as a small success which has infused her love of history with dynamism and faith.