According to Nguyễn Thị Thủy, Director of Pleiku Library and head judge of the competition, this year's contest honored eight collectives and 84 individuals. From the 12 first-prize winners, the judging panel selected three students to represent Gia Lai province at the National Reading Culture Ambassador Contest.
The provincial representatives are Hoàng Phương Anh, a Grade 4A student at Kim Đồng Primary School in Ia Grai commune; Nguyễn Lương Bảo Ngọc, a Grade 8A2 student at Bùi Thị Xuân Secondary School in Quy Nhơn Tây ward; and Nguyễn Ngọc Như Ý, a Grade 11A3 student at Chu Văn An High School in Phú Túc commune. Judges said each submission reflected careful preparation in both content and presentation.
The contest asked participants to introduce a favorite book while explaining its role in fostering patriotism, strengthening national pride and raising awareness of preserving regional cultural identities.
Phương Anh chose A Brief History of Vietnam in Pictures, compiled by Hiếu Minh and Huyền Trang, illustrated by Tạ Huy Long and edited by historian Dương Trung Quốc. She said her perception of reading changed after discovering the book during a visit to her school library.
"In today's fast-paced world, where children are drawn to phones, TVs and electronic devices, books like A Brief History of Vietnam in Pictures are essential. Through each illustration, our sense of national pride is nurtured by emotion rather than the pressure to memorize", she wrote.
Bảo Ngọc introduced Southern Land and Forests by writer Đoàn Giỏi. She enhanced her presentation with hand-crafted illustrations and three-dimensional photo frames.
She said the novel deepened her understanding of southern Vietnam and its people while conveying enduring lessons about courage, perseverance and compassion.
"These lessons aren't dry; they gradually seep in through each story, helping me grow", she said.
Inspired by her affection for Vietnam's seas and islands, Như Ý selected Trường Sa: Magnificent and Challenging by writer Sương Nguyệt Minh. She designed a decorative book cover featuring seashells to reinforce the book's maritime theme.
"After finishing the book, readers are left not only with the image of a majestic Trường Sa, but also with the silhouettes of soldiers standing silently in the sea breeze, eyes fixed on the horizon, hands gripping their rifles, hearts turned toward the Fatherland", she wrote.
Beyond introducing books, the contestants presented practical initiatives to expand reading culture through technology and digital platforms.
Phương Anh said she plans to organize reading activities at school while using social media and technology to encourage reading. She recorded her own voice to produce audiobooks using her computer and generated QR codes linking to content collected from reputable sources, making the materials easier to access.
Bảo Ngọc proposed establishing a "Smart Digital Library with QR Codes" for her school. Under her proposal, each library book would have a QR code, while additional codes posted on the school's website and fanpage would allow students to read books online from home. She demonstrated the concept by attaching a QR code to her contest submission, enabling judges to access it instantly.
Như Ý focused on improving access for people with print disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, have low vision or are physically unable to turn pages.
Her proposed Chu Văn An High School Digital Library would operate as an accessible website featuring a diverse e-book collection, infographic summaries of notable titles and integrated text-to-speech functions, allowing users to listen to books.
Rather than treating social media as a competitor to reading, Như Ý said her project uses digital platforms as a bridge connecting books with wider audiences, including people with print disabilities, older adults and those with busy schedules.
Her submission also included a QR code linking to a video skit titled Touching Knowledge Through Sound, produced with classmates, delivering the message: "A book can change a mindset, a voice can inspire hope, and even a small platform can connect thousands of hearts".
