Vietnam was represented this year by writer Nguyen Tham Thien Ke, recognized for his short story collection "Một mùa hè dưới bóng cây" (A Summer Under the Canopy), and writer Pham Thi Xuan Ban, better known by her pen name Y Ban, awarded for “Trên đỉnh giời”  (On the Summit of the Sky). Their recognition added distinct Vietnamese literary voices to a regional platform that intensifies cultural exchange across ASEAN.

Over more than four decades, and under the patronage of the Thai Royal Family, the SEA Write Award has become a leading literary honor in ASEAN, helping introduce and promote generations of writers from across the region. Speaking at the ceremony, Dhipavadee Meksawan, chair of the award’s organizing committee, said the prize has grown into a respected tradition featuring outstanding literary voices and works marked by deep human insight.

The SEA Write Award not only enriches the soul and the imagination, but also raises a shared cultural voice for ASEAN, she said, adding that she believes the regional literary community will continue to nurture distinctive works that carry Southeast Asian literature onto the global stage.

Nguyen Tham Thien Ke, one of the two Vietnamese writers honored this year, was recognized for A Summer Under the Canopy, a collection of short stories reflecting themes such as emotional detachment in modern life, human loneliness and the memories of soldiers returning from war. He said the SEA Write Award has helped Vietnamese literature resonate more strongly with readers across ASEAN, while reaffirming shared regional cultural values.

“Vietnamese literature is among the strongest in the region and is closely tied to real life. In Southeast Asia, this is the highest literary award,” Nguyen Tham Thien Ke said. “The Vietnam Writers’ Association has done an excellent job in selecting works worthy of submission, and Vietnamese entries are consistently well regarded.”

Y Ban was honored for On the Summit of the Sky, a collection of 18 short stories portraying fragments of human fate through diverse characters. She described the award as an opportunity to bring both Vietnamese literature and the character of Vietnamese people closer to international audiences.

“This is a chance for us to share our literature, as well as the essence of Vietnamese identity, with friends around the world,” she said.

This year’s ceremony also featured the debut of the official SEA Write theme song, The Power of the Write, with lyrics composed by Thai national artist and poet Naowarat Pongpaiboon. The piece was performed for the first time by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. The song is seen as a new symbol reinforcing solidarity among ASEAN member states, while affirming a shared cultural identity and aspirations for peace and prosperity across the region.

Hungary honours three Vietnamese writers with Art Danubius Prize

VOV.VN - The Art Danubius Literature Society of Hungary has recently announced winners of its Art Danubius Prize 2022, including three Vietnamese writers.