He was honoured for his novel Tieng Khoc Cua Nang Ut (The Cry of Ms Ut). Seven other winners of the same award were from Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Thailand on February 16, the Vietnamese writer stressed that literary works vividly reflect national spirit and cultural identity, and help bring nations closer together.

Poet To Huu was the first Vietnamese to have received the award in 1966. In 2010, writer Nguyen Nhat Anh won a title for his famous work Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Di Tuoi Tho Oi (Give me a ticket back to childhood).

Since 1979, the awards ceremony has been held annually by the Thai Royal family to honour contemporary poets and writers in Southeast Asian countries.

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