Winners of writing contest on President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Indonesia announced

The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam held a ceremony in Hanoi on December 23 to announce and honour the winners of the writing contest on President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Indonesia and Indonesian President Sukarno’s trip to Vietnam.

Delegates pose with the six prize winners at the awards ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan)
Delegates pose with the six prize winners at the awards ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan)

President Ho Chi Minh paid an official friendly visit to Indonesia from February 27 to March 3, 1959, which was his first to a Southeast Asian country. Just three months later, he welcomed Indonesian President Sukarno on an official visit to Vietnam, between June 24 and 29.

Understanding the significance of the two historic visits 60 years ago, the VOV, in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia and the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam, launched two writing contests themed “Learning about President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Indonesia and President Sukarno’s visit to Vietnam” this year.

The first contest in Indonesia was a success, with one first, one second, one third and two consolation prizes having been awarded to the winners.

The contest in Vietnam, which ran from October 14 to December 15, attracted hundreds of entries from authors at various ages. The oldest contestant was 83 years old, while the youngest was just 21. Each submission showed creativity, enthusiasm and investment of contestants with attractive and convincing forms of transmitting contents. Some were even enclosed with precious documentary photos.

The organising committee presented one special prize to Tu Thanh Phong, 40, from the central coastal city of Da Nang; one first prize to Phi Ba Khoat, 73, from Hanoi; one second prize to Dinh Dang Minh, 82, from Phu Tho province; and three third prizes to Le Thi Thu Thanh, 38, from Quang Tri province, Nguyen Truyen Thong, 63, from Bac Giang province, and Phan Khuong, 27, from Ho Chi Minh City.

Notably, the special prize winner will be offered a five-day trip to Indonesia, all the costs of which, including round-trip air fares, meals, accommodation and travelling, will be totally covered by the organising committee.

VOV General Director Nguyen The Ky speaks at the event. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan)

Speaking at the ceremony, General Director of the VOV Nguyen The Ky emphasised that the historic visits by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno in 1959 have laid a strong foundation for the stable development of the close relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, Vietnam has always implemented its consistent policy of attaching importance to strengthening the friendly relations, cooperation and strategic partnership with Indonesia, he said.

Ky stated that the writing contest on the historic visits of the two leaders is part of activities towards celebrating the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic ties in 2020.

For his part, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi shared the view that the 1959 visits have laid a firm foundation for the strong Vietnam-Indonesia relationship today.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan)

The two countries are not only neighbours but also good friends and close partners, the diplomat said, noting that with the signing of a strategic partnership in 2013, Vietnam has become the only strategic partner of Indonesia in Southeast Asia.

Hadi said the Indonesian Embassy highly appreciated the VOV’s initiative to organise the writing contest, affirming that the friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno is a valuable legacy that needs to be preserved and passed onto the two countries’ future generations.

At the awards ceremony, participants were entertained with the unique musical performances of Vietnam and Indonesia delivered by artists from the two countries.

Some musical performances by Vietnamese and Indonesian artists at the ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan)

On the sidelines of the event, a photo exhibition on the historic visits of President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno is being held at the VOV building from December 23 to 27, with dozens of photos on display.

Some documentary photos on the historic visits of President Ho Chi Minh and Indonesian President Sukarno on display at the exhibition. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan)