This is a public award open to authors, both professional and amateur, Vietnamese and foreign, residing in Vietnam or abroad.

In 2026, the Award will be held for the fourth time, launched on a nationwide scale to attract participation from numerous authors across the country.

To ensure the Award is organized in a serious, transparent, fair, and objective manner, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announces the Award Regulations as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Purpose

- Effectively implement Decision No. 1079/QD-TTg dated

Decision No. 14/9/2022 of the Prime Minister on approving the Project on Communication about Human Rights in Vietnam (Project 1079).

- Implementing Vietnam's commitments during its third term as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote eight priority areas, including: Enhancing the effectiveness of the Human Rights Council; Protecting human rights in the context of climate change; Combating violence and discrimination; Promoting gender equality; Protecting human rights in the digital age; Promoting the right to health; The right to work; The right to education and human rights education.

- To discover and celebrate meaningful stories from all aspects of Vietnam's political, economic, cultural, and social life, in order to vividly affirm the achievements Vietnam has made in the field of human rights.

- Mobilize the combined strength of all segments of the population at home, the Vietnamese community abroad, and international friends in the communication and promotion of the image of Vietnam and its people to the world, affirming to the world that Vietnam is a peaceful, beautiful, dynamically developing, and happy country.

2. Requirements

- Submitted works must comply with legal requirements, including copyright infringement and other applicable laws and regulations.

- Submitted works must have high promotional value, meet criteria for artistic quality, from content to form of expression, and must not violate Vietnamese customs, traditions, or laws.

- Encourage the application of modern information and communication technologies to create a positive communication effect on the public.

- The artwork must have been created between January 1, 2024, and the date of submission.

- Submitted photographs must not have previously won awards or been selected for exhibition at regional, national, or international competitions organized or co-organized by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. (Excluding works participating in the Happy Vietnam Award organized by the Organizing Committee in collaboration with local authorities in 2026).

II. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

- Eligibility: Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above.

- Members of the Organizing Committee, the Judging Panel, the Secretariat, and the Communications Committee are not allowed to participate in the competition.

III. CATEGORIES OF ENTRIES

The awards consist of two categories: Photos and Videos.

IV. CRITERIA FOR SUBMITTED WORKS

1. General criteria regarding content

- To introduce and promote the image of Vietnam, its people, cultural values, and natural beauty throughout the country; to awaken national pride and aspirations for development in all segments of the population, so as to work together to build a more prosperous, thriving, and happy Vietnam.

- To truthfully and vividly reflect the achievements in all aspects of Vietnam's political, economic, cultural, and social life, especially in the process of reform, development, and international integration.

- To transmit valuable knowledge, attract strong public interest, and have a wide-ranging impact both domestically and internationally.

- It does not violate the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations, or the Award's rules; it is in accordance with the customs, traditions, and cultural heritage of the nation.

2. Criteria for the photo category

- Submitted photos must be single images or photo sets in digital format, specifically JPG files. The minimum size of the shortest dimension is 3,000 pixels.

- Each author may submit an unlimited number of entries (both single photos and photo sets). The author's name will be as it appears on their national identity card or passport.

+ Single photos: Each photo is a work of art.

+ Photo series: Each photo series is considered a work of art, consisting of a minimum of 5 photos and a maximum of 10 photos. The Organizing Committee encourages photo series to include a layout and a brief introduction to the series' content (maximum 150 words). The author must number the photo series sequentially.

+ In cases where the author submits both single photos and photo sets, the single photos must not be duplicates of photos in the photo set.

- Photos must not have borders and must not display information such as names, watermarks, or place names…

- Photographic works must be created using realistic methods; cropped, manipulated, or altered images that distort reality are not accepted (except for panoramic photographs).

3. Criteria for the video category

- Submitted videos must be in digital format, specifically MP4 files. Video quality must be at least Full HD or higher. Each video should be no longer than 5 minutes and the file size must not exceed 500MB.

- Each author may submit an unlimited number of entries. The author's name or the name of the group of authors should be taken from the name on their citizen identification card or passport.

- Submitted videos can be in the following genres: news reports, documentaries, short videos, skits, etc., and can be recorded using any device that supports video recording.

- The content and storyline are clear and consistent with the award's message and theme. The video is an original media product, copyrighted by the author, and not copied from any source without permission regarding image, sound, and dialogue copyright.

- The individuals appearing in the video must have the consent of the person or their guardian.

4. Deadline for submitting entries to the Award

From the date of announcement of the Award launch until August 31, 2026.

5. Copyright

- The author is legally responsible for the copyright of the submitted work.

- The Organizing Committee is not responsible for copyright and related rights disputes. The Organizing Committee will revoke the award if any copyright or related rights infringement is discovered, in accordance with the law.

- If necessary, the Organizing Committee will request the author to submit the original file for verification of the information.

- The Award Organizing Committee is permitted to use the submitted works free of charge for the purpose of promoting the Award and publicizing the image of Vietnam without paying any fees.

V. AWARD STRUCTURE

Each competition category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values:

- 1st Prize: 50,000,000 VND.

- 2nd Prizes: 30,000,000 VND each.

- 3 Third Prizes: 15,000,000 VND.

- 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND each.

- 1 prize for the most voted-for work: 5,000,000 VND.

The Organizing Committee encourages and will award one creative prize in each category (photo and video) worth 20,000,000 VND to works with new and creative ideas in content and form. In addition, the Organizing Committee will award monthly prizes, including first, second, and third prizes, to the works with the highest number of votes in each category during the month.

The prize structure may change based on the quality of entries in each category. In addition, the Organizing Committee will award certificates to winning authors and commendations to localities with the most entries, the most winning entries, etc.

Authors who win first, second, third, and honorable mention prizes in the photography category will have their points counted towards the title consideration and participation in the annual Outstanding Photography Award; winning and selected works will be considered for creative support according to the regulations of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. For authors who are not members of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, each winning or selected work will receive support.

The exhibition will be scored when considering membership applications according to the Association's regulations. Award-winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the live broadcast of the awards ceremony on Vietnam Television.

The Organizing Committee will deduct personal income tax in accordance with current regulations.

VI. DIRECTING AGENCY, ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, AND IMPLEMENTING UNIT

CURRENTLY, THE JUDGING PANEL, THE SECRETARIAT, AND THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

1. Steering Committee

- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

- Vietnam Television;

- Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

2. Organizing Committee

2.1. The Annual Award Organizing Committee, established by the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is responsible for organizing the Award in accordance with current procedures and regulations.

2.2. Functions and responsibilities of the Organizing Committee as determined by the Leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Sports and Tourism will decide.

2.3. The Organizing Committee consists of:

- Leader of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Committee;

- Head of the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee;

- Leader of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Deputy Head of the Committee;

- Head of the Foreign Affairs Television Department (VTV4), Vietnam Television Station, Deputy Head of Department;

- Representative of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Member;

- Representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, Member;

- Head of the Department of Performing Arts, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Member;

- Head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Member;

- Head of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Member;

- Head of the Press Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Member;

- Head of the Center for Press and International Media Cooperation, Department of Grassroots Information and External Information, Member;

- Leaders of relevant departments under the Bureau of Grassroots Information and External Information, Members;

- Heads of relevant departments within the Center for Press and International Media Cooperation, Members.

VII. RESOLUTION OF COMPLAINTS, DENUNCIATIONS AND HANDLING OF VIOLATIONS

1. Relevant organizations and individuals have the right to appeal the results of the Award. Appeals must clearly state the full name, address, and reason for the appeal and be sent to the Organizing Unit. The Organizing Unit is responsible for reviewing and responding to the appeal, and reporting the results to the Organizing Committee. Anonymous appeals, appeals without a clear address, or appeals made under false identities will not be considered.

2. The Organizing Committee will revoke the award and notify the relevant authorities to handle the matter in accordance with the law in the following cases:

- Submitted works that violate the Press Law, Publishing Law, Copyright Law, Intellectual Property Law, relevant State legal regulations, and the Rules of this Award.

- The submitted works are the result of exploiting the award to commit illegal acts.

3. The withdrawal of the award will be publicly announced through the mass media.

4. If you are a member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists: The Organizing Committee will cancel all submitted works, and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists will not consider you for titles, outstanding awards, or creative support in 2026.

5. If you are not yet a member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists: The Organizing Committee will cancel all submitted works, and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists will not consider your application for membership if you meet the membership requirements in 2026.

VIII. METHODS OF RECEIVING ENTRIES

Authors and groups of authors can submit their entries at: https://happy.vietnam.vn/ .

Vietnam.vn