Addressing the event, Minister of Culture and Information, Le Doan Hop, said that art troupes from the central to grassroots levels, musicians, authors and artists have given their utmost to create many important works, but Vietnam still fails to make great works which deeply and comprehensively reflect the achievements and glorious traditional values of the Vietnamese people in their past struggle for national independence and in their current renovation process.

Minister Hop called on writers, musicians and artists to renew their thinking, get closer to life and work harder to help people improve their cultural life.

A similar awards ceremony for artists and authors in the southern region will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 18.