Organisers of Hanoi –Your Destination, the 2007 International Contest, held in Ha Noi and hosted by the Ha Noi Union of Friendship Organisations, announced the prize winners after its seven-month launch last Friday.
The annual contest, which has just successfully wrapped up its seventh year, has focused this year’s theme on the capital’s renowned Old Quarter, with the aim of getting international friends and Vietnamese from overseas closer to the area’s unique culture and history.
Speakers of six languages, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Esperanto, Russian, French and English, have enthusiastically participated in the contest by submitting their entries via its website. The contest has attracted more than 1,000 people from 45 countries, and the jury has selected seven Chinese, three French, two Esperanto, 17 Vietnamese, five Russian and seven English entrees to whom they have handed out top awards.Khovaeva Ekaterina Igorevna, a Russian student, has been awarded the only distinguished prize, and Chaplain Phillipe, chairman of France’s National Heritage League, has been named as the first-prize winner. The Chinese Department of Ha Noi University was presented with the top collective prize.
Among the increased number of this year’s contestants, Chinese speakers accounted for a major portion. Apart from showing their love and care for the heart of Viet Nam, those who submitted entries also suggested several proposals to better the conservation and development of the ancient capital.
"We consider these ideas as good presents to promote the cultural values of Ha Noi moving toward the city’s 1,000th anniversary," said Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, vice chairwoman of the Ha Noi’s People Committee.
The contest will begin its eighth season with the topic of discovering historical monuments and cultural heritages of the capital city. People interested in the competition can find more details at www.haufo.org.vn . VietnamNews
