This year’s competition encouraged contestants to reflect on the future of the world under the theme: "At 150 years old, the UPU has served people around the world for more than eight generations. The world has changed enormously since then. Write a letter to future generations about the world you hope they inherit."  

In his letter, Nguyen Do Quang Minh, a ninth grader of Nguyen Khuyen school in Da Nang, expressed hope that there would be many schools to train Santa Claus so that people who love children can learn how to bring happiness to children.

His letter is set to be translated into both English and French before being submitted to the UPU in Switzerland.

The contest was launched nationwide from January 1 to March 31, with more than 1.5 million contestants sending their letters to the organizing board. First-prize winner was awarded a cash prize of VND10 million, whilst second and third prize winners were given VND5 million and VND3 million, respectively.

The organisers also awarded 30 consolation prizes, as well as 12 special prizes to contestants with disabilities.

Adopted at the UPU’s 1969 Tokyo Congress and launched back in 1971, the UPU has encouraged young writers aged nine to 15 to write letters on a given theme to win exciting prizes. All entries had to be submitted through the National Post, with each country choosing a national winner and submitting it as the country's entry to the UPU international competition.

Vietnam has taken part in the UPU Letter Writing Competition for 36 years.

VOV