After 1 year of launching, the Organizing Committee of the contest received more than 210 short stories from nearly 200 authors from all regions of the country; among them, more than 50 short stories from nearly 50 authors were selected to be published in the Huong River Magazine.

Through the preliminary and final rounds, 11 best works were selected for awards, including 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes and 5 consolation prizes. According to the Organizing Committee's assessment, the themes of the works are very diverse, such as: the homeland and people of Vietnam; the resistance war against the US to save the country; thoughts and concerns about life today. In particular, the theme revolving around the values ​​of Hue and Hue culture has received much attention from many authors, who have included it in their works, thereby honoring the natural beauty, history, heritage, culture and people of Hue...

Author Le Vi Thuy received first prize at the contest. Photo: NVCC

At the award ceremony, author Le Vi Thuy - member of the Gia Lai Literature and Arts Association, member of the Vietnam Writers Association - was honored to receive the first prize with the short story "Da Quynh". The work was inspired by the quintessence of traditional hand embroidery in Hue, with the plot interweaving reality with fragmented, patched memories of a girl whose fate became extremely strange after a major event. The story has a magical element about immortal love, the immortal fate of a talented female embroiderer as a metaphor for the vitality of the embroidery profession in the ancient capital from its golden age to the present.

The 2024 “Perfume River Short Story” Contest is a practical activity to contribute to promoting the beauty of Hue land and people; at the same time, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Hue City (March 26, 1975 - March 26, 2025); celebrate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and summarize 50 years of Vietnamese literature and art after the country's reunification.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/gia-lai-tac-gia-le-vi-thuy-dat-giai-nhat-cuoc-thi-truyen-ngan-song-huong-post315849.html