The Thai ethnic group's cultural center, shaped like a headscarf, in Nghe An province, won a national award in Literature and Arts.

Architect Cong Nguyen's work, the Bach Son Village Cultural Center in Cam Lam Commune, Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province, has been honored. The project, valued at 500 million VND, was sponsored and constructed by the Nghe An Architects Association's Charity Fund.

This cultural building contributes to the cultural institution serving the Thai ethnic community in Con Cuong district. Through the author's creativity, the community cultural center is not just an ordinary architectural structure, but it successfully reflects the ethnic cultural identity in the architectural design of the roof, shaped like the traditional headscarf worn by Thai women.

The structure features a simple, easy-to-build design, utilizes readily available and environmentally friendly materials, and offers a practical function that meets the community's living and cultural needs. The work resembles a wide, flowing scarf, harmoniously blending with the natural landscape of the Con Cuong mountain region. The structure has been in use since the beginning of 2023 and is effectively utilized by the Thai ethnic community in Bach Son village, Con Cuong district, Nghe An province, contributing to the preservation and promotion of their traditional cultural values.

Architect Cong Nguyen was born and raised in Nam Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, a rice-growing area. Driven by a passion for design, after nearly 10 years of studying in Hanoi and working in Ho Chi Minh City, he returned to his hometown of Nghe An in 2017 to establish his career with the CND Architectural Office.

In 2023, the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations' Awards Council presented nine awards to outstanding works nominated by central specialized literature and arts associations, including: the dance piece "Cloud Silk," choreographed by People's Artist Pham Anh Phuong; the photo series "Golden Grains" sowing joy by author Nguyen Hien Thanh; the monograph "The Art of Writing Television Drama Scripts" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Le Hung Tu; the art piece "Water Palace," painted on a car hood by author Trinh Minh Tien; the cultural house project in Bach Son village, Cam Lam commune, Con Cuong district, Nghe An province, designed by architect Cong Nguyen; the song "Inh La is going to Dien Bien" by musician Vuong Khon; the collection and research "Folk Culture of the Sea and Islands of Thanh Hoa" by author Hoang Ba Tuong; the choral piece "The Stance of Ap Bac" by author Chung Huu Phu; and the collection of literary criticism essays on children's literature "Sparkling Flow" by author Nguyen Thanh Tam.

At the same time, the Organizing Committee also awarded 60 prizes to authors who are members of local Literature and Arts Associations; including 4 A prizes, 14 B prizes, 19 C prizes, 18 Consolation prizes, and 5 prizes for young authors.

Also in 2023, the Awards Council received 372 entries from authors and groups of authors belonging to 58 out of 63 provincial and city Literature and Arts Associations. As a result, 60 works won awards, including 4 A prizes: the acrylic painting “Memories” (Huynh Minh Ngoc, An Giang); the poetry collection “A Day from Within” (Minh Anh, Ho Chi Minh City); the photo series “Saigon Sunset” (Tran Ngoc Dung, Ho Chi Minh City); and the essay collection “Becoming a Son-in-Law in the Mekong Delta” (Nguyen Hoi, Long An). In addition, the Organizing Committee also awarded 14 B prizes, 19 C prizes, 18 Encouragement prizes, and 5 prizes for young authors.