Hanoi through the eyes of Vietnamese and international children

Held in Hanoi on October 4, the contest brought together pupils from primary and lower-secondary schools, Horizon International Bilingual School, art clubs and children from countries including the UK, India, Belarus, the Republic of Korea, the US, Indonesia, Italy, South Africa, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Sweden and Turkmenistan who are living and studying in the capital.

Organised under the theme “I Love Hanoi – City for Peace”, the contest gives children an opportunity to express their feelings about the capital through painting while encouraging friendship and cultural exchange among Vietnamese and international children.

Nguyen Thi Phuong, vice president of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations, said the event also aims to promote Hanoi as a City for Peace and a Creative City, and nurture children's love for their homeland, peace and international friendship.

The contest encourages children's interest in painting and creative thinking, alongside providing a platform for them to interact, exchange experiences and develop their artistic abilities.

Hanoi through a child’s imagination

After several years, the contest has retained its distinctive character: portraying the thousand-year-old capital through children's eyes.

Their paintings capture familiar streets, houses, trees, historic sites and everyday scenes, as well as friends and teachers they meet in their daily lives. Ordinary images are transformed by children's imagination and emotions into personal stories about Hanoi.

This year's participants offered very different perspectives.

One child chose to depict students helping wounded soldiers and families of war veterans, expressing a wish for an end to war and greater support for people with disabilities.

Another painted the Turtle Tower at Hoan Kiem Lake, saying the surrounding space inspired a message about continuing to learn and never giving up.

A third imagined the future Hanoi, featuring a boy walking a dog while looking towards Hoan Kiem Lake. The picture included skyscrapers, cameras across the city and even AI-powered dogs, reflecting how children imagine the capital of tomorrow.

A children’s space for peace and friendship

Beyond an art competition, the contest has become a meeting place for Vietnamese children and their international peers living and studying in Hanoi.

Aman Rajab, a Turkmen parent, said the children’s paintings offered insights into how young people perceive Hanoi and the social issues around them.

Sometimes children may find it difficult to express their thoughts in words, he noted, but art can offer a broader view of how they see and understand the city.

The contest therefore provides more than an opportunity to display artistic talent. It allows children from different backgrounds to meet and share their experiences, turning ideas of peace and friendship into something tangible and familiar in their everyday lives.

The 2026 “I Love Hanoi – City for Peace” International Children's Painting Contest awarded one first prize, five second prizes, 10 third prizes and 30 consolation prizes.

Hanoi launches international children’s painting contest for 'City for Peace'

VOV.VN - Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on September 7 that it has issued a plan to organize a painting contest for Vietnamese and foreign children and teenagers aged 6 to 14 living and studying in the capital.