Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong presents the first prize at the international and national levels to Nguyen Thi Thu Trang.

At the 45th UPU International Letter Writing Competition (2016), Nguyen Thi Thu Trang (9B class, 2015-2016 school year, Nguyen Trai Secondary School, Nam Sach district, Hai Duong province) won first prize nationally and first prize internationally (this is the second time a Vietnamese student has won first prize internationally).

With the theme "Write a letter to yourself at age 45," Nguyen Thi Thu Trang's letter, filled with heartfelt thoughts and feelings, touched the hearts of the judges.

Thu Trang embodied the role of 3-year-old Syrian boy Alan Kurdi to paint a picture of paradise, a happy future free from war for countless children around the world.

The sincerity and poignancy in each word truly impressed the international judging panel of the UPU International Letter Writing Competition. On this occasion, in addition to receiving the International Award and the National Award from the Organizing Committee, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang also received commendations from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Central Secretariat of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Each year, based on the outstanding activities of the United Nations, the Organizing Committee of the UPU International Letter Writing Competition selects a suitable theme for the competition, aiming to give children around the world the opportunity to express themselves with their dreams and aspirations for the future, encouraging them to have unique ideas and to know how to present those ideas in the most persuasive way.

At the same time, the competition helps students improve their language skills and gain a better understanding of the role of the postal service in life and social development.

According to the regulations of the 46th UPU International Letter Writing Competition: All Vietnamese students aged 15 and under are eligible to participate.

The contest period is from October 14, 2016 to February 15, 2017 (based on the postmark). Entries should be sent to: Thiếu niên Tiền phong Newspaper (No. 5, Hoa Ma Street, Hanoi).

Entries should be no longer than 1,000 words, handwritten on one side of the paper. Entries must be placed in a stamped envelope and sent by mail.