The cover of the summary record of the Literary and Art Creation Camp in Binh Tien, Huong Tra

In 2021, despite facing many difficulties, especially due to the widespread COVID-19 pandemic, Hue writers and artists still had a productive year with many excellent results. The Provincial Union of Arts and Culture Associations took advantage of the low time in between outbreaks to organize 4 creative writing camps in Nam Dong, A Luoi, Phu Vang, Huong Tra, and 1 online composition camp. As a result, these camps have facilitated hundreds of works, many of which are valuable.

The Union launched a campaign to create literature and art on the topic of COVID-19 prevention and control and organized creative camps on this theme. The creative camp received 112 works by 17 artists. The creative campaign received more than 200 works, including the response of artists from other localities, such as Hanoi, Nghe An, Dak Nong, Phu Yen, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City...

This year, many members of professional associations have won many major international, national, and regional awards. The works of Thua Thien Hue photographers have not only been honored at exhibitions at photography festivals in the North Central region and localities in the country, but also at major international awards.

Notably, the photographer Ho Ngoc Son won 2 gold medals, 3 silver medals, 1 bronze medal, 6 honorary certificates, and 3 of his works were displayed at the VN21 international exhibition in Vietnam. Ngo Thanh Minh won 1 consolation prize and 2 works were selected for the VN21 international exhibition in Vietnam; he also won 1 consolation prize in India and had 30 photos displayed at international exhibitions.

Nguyen Huu Dinh won 1 international bronze medal and had 3 works being exhibited at the VN21 international exhibition in Vietnam. He won second prize in the photo contest “Ao dai at work” and third prize in the contest “The beauty of workers”.  Hoang Phuoc won second prize in "The beauty of life contest" and more than 20 of his works were exhibited in competitions in the province and across the country...

Many works of musicians in Hue Music Association have been circulated throughout the country. Composer Pham Phuoc Nghia won the B prize in the songwriting campaign to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and the Best runner-up prize in writing contest about the sea and islands of Quang Ngai province.

In particular, the musician Le Tu Minh had the work "Returning to my mother’s side" which won first prize from the Vietnam Musicians Association in 2021; The song "My Vietnamese homeland" (music by Tuan Phuong, poetry by Le Tu Minh) won first prize in the contest "Let’s sing Vietnam" organized by VOV...

Of Thua Thien Hue Writers' Association, the late poet Tran Vang Sao was awarded the B prize in the National Book Award; and the author Dang Van Su won second prize in the short story writing contest on social networks.

The Fine Arts Association, with its powerful force, has truly continued the tradition of Hue fine arts. Pham Hoang Anh won the B prize, Le Ngoc Thai won the C prize, and Nguyen Thien Duc won the consolation prize at the Northern Central Region Fine Arts Exhibition 2021. The painter Le Anh Huy won first prize in Ho Guom fine art organized by Hanoi City.

Researchers from the Folklore Association published many excellent research papers on the homeland of Thua Thien Hue. The most recent was the publication of a series of books on Hue village studies. Artists, actors, and singers in Theater and Dance Associations also had many new contributions to the arts and literature. The Art Council of the Union had selected 15 excellent art and literature works to award prizes in 2021.

Due to the specific nature, many literary awards belonging to the Central specialized associations and the Vietnam Union of Arts and Culture Associations will be announced in early 2022. Many members with high-quality works are expected to be honored. The Union's leaders said that the Union will honor writers and artists with outstanding results by the end of 2022.

In order to promote the development of Thua Thien Hue's literature and art, the writers and artists need more adequate investment to hold cultural and art activities, promote works of art, organize professional theatrical performances, and train young writers and artists...

Story and photo: HA NGUYEN