Launched on August 29, 2024, and closed on September 30, 2025, the competition drew 1,320 submissions from 990 artists across the country. Organizers said the event aimed to inspire artistic expression while promoting the preservation and celebration of Vietnam’s cultural legacy.
A total of 30 prizes were awarded, including two first prizes, two second prizes, three third prizes, three youth prizes and 20 consolation prizes.
Gia Lai province secured two consolation awards. Vượt (Overcoming) by Đinh Việt Thanh, an oil painting depicting the finish line of the Bảy Núi ox racing festival, a Khmer traditional event recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, was among the honored works.
The second, Thanh âm giữa đại ngàn (Sounds amidst the great forest) by Nguyễn Viết Xuân, is a woodcut capturing the echo of gongs during festival seasons and the pơ thi (grave-leaving) ceremonies in the Central Highlands.
Following the ceremony, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum opened an exhibition showcasing the 30 prize-winning works and 70 additional pieces selected for the final round.
Alongside the two awarded entries, three other works from Gia Lai were exhibited: Niềm vui mẫu hệ (Matriarchal joy) and Bóng di sản (Shadow of heritage) by Nguyễn Văn Chung, and Lễ pơ thi (Pơ Thi ceremony) by Võ Văn Tiếng.