The competition organising committee, guests and ceremony participants gather for a group photo.

Writing contest marks 60th anniversary of Laos-Vietnam diplomatic relations

A writing contest to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam opened to applicants on Monday.
The contest is organised by the Lao Writers’ Association under the supervision of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and in cooperation with the Party Central Committee’s Propaganda Training Board.
The writing contest aims to review and promote the tradition of love, special friendship, strong relations, cooperation and mutual assistance between Laos and Vietnam and the people of the two nations, both in the past and at present.
A ceremony open the competition took place at the Party Central Committee’s Propaganda Training Board office and was chaired by the Head of the Board, Dr Khamphanh Pheuyavong.
The event was attended by a large number of officials, writers and students.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Lao Writers’ Association, Mr Thongbay Phothisane, said the contest was part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam, which were established on September 5, 1962.
The competition also marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of a friendship and cooperation treaty between the two countries on July 18, 1977, and celebrates Laos-Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022.
Dr Khamphanh said the contest and other celebratory activities had been instigated by the Party and state.
The competition consists of four categories, with entrants invited to submit a long story (novel), a short story, an essay, or a poem.
The contest organising committee is encouraging both professional and amateur writers and poets, and other interested persons living in Laos, whether of Lao or foreign nationality, to submit their entries (which must be written in Lao) to the committee at the Lao Writers’ Association in Simeuang village Sisattanak district, Vientiane.
The committee can be contacted by Fax No. 1631 or phone numbers (021) 22003313 and (020) 96556959.
Entrants in the provinces can submit their work to the provincial Committee’s Propaganda Training Board, who will forward them to the organising committee.
Entries can be submitted until August 16, with the winners to be announced on September 1.
There are two first prizes up for grabs, with each winner to receive 5 million kip and a certificate.
Four second prizes will also be awarded, with each person to receive 4 million kip and a certificate.
Six people can win third prize, with each to receive 3 million kip and a certificate.
There are also 30 congratulations prizes on offer, with each person to receive 1 million kip and a certificate.
With regard to the competition rules, there is no word limit and entrants can make submissions in each of the four categories, with as many items as desired to be submitted.
The story should be typed on clean paper and bear the name and surname of the writer, his or her address, workplace and phone number at the end.
The winning stories will become the property of the judging committee and will be made into a book for publication.
The content of the entries should be factual, reliable, able to be rechecked, and in keeping with the policies of the Party and state.
Entries should be written by the attributed author and the content should not have been published or submitted to a previous contest. The content must also not be adapted or copied from other person’s work.
The content should evaluate and promote the traditional strong relationship, friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam during the struggle for national liberation or during the current period of national protection and development.
Entries should reflect the contributions of the Party, revolutionary forces and the Lao people to the victory of the revolution, the liberation of Laos, and unity with Vietnam.
They should also highlight the gratitude felt by the people of Laos to the Party and state and the brotherly Vietnamese people for their vital and valuable assistance to the revolutionary movement in the past as well as in the current task of national protection and development.

By Visith Teppalath
(Latest Update May 18, 2022)