Two Vietnamese writers honoured with S.E.A. Write Award

Ke received the award for his short story collection "Mot mua he duoi bong cay" (A summer in the shade of trees), which explores themes of emotional detachment in modern life, loneliness, and the memories of soldiers returning from war. Meanwhile, Ban was honoured for her short story collection "Tren dinh gioi" (On the edge of the sky), which portrays diverse facets of human destiny.

Addressing the award ceremony in Bangkok on December 16, Dhipavadee Meksawan, head of the organising committee, said the S.E.A. Write Award has become a cherished tradition that celebrates exceptional literary voices and works reflecting the depth of the human experience.

The award, she noted, helps to enrich the spiritual life and fostering a shared cultural voice across ASEAN.

Launched in 1979 under the patronage of the Thai Royal Family, the S.E.A. Write Award is recognised as one of the most esteemed literary honours in the region.

Notably, this year’s ceremony also saw the debut of the official S.E.A. Write Award song, The Power of the Write, with lyrics by Thai poet Naowarat Pongpaiboon. The song was performed for the first time by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and was regarded as a new highlight of the event, contributing to cultural ties among ASEAN countries.