The competition, themed “Write a letter to someone to explain why it is important to understand HIV/AIDS and to protect yourself from the disease”, had been organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the deputy head of the organising board, Le Thi Kim Ha, who is also deputy general director of the Vietnam Post Corporation, among the 1.2 million entries, the jury was surprised with many stories and satisfactory solutions.

Ho Thi Hieu Hien from Tay Son junior high school in Hai Chau district, Da Nang city, won first prize with a letter to Zhang Yi Mou, a popular Chinese director.

In her letter, Hien expressed her hope that the Chinese director would produce movies on HIV/AIDS to help raise public awareness of the risks of the epidemic to effectively prevent it from spreading.

Da Nang ’s Tay Son school was also honoured with second, third and consolation prizes.

Along with their peers from Da Nang , contestants from the northern province of Hai Duong were among the most impressive groups at the ceremony. They won a total of seven awards.

The organising board also presented awards to the youngest contestant, five participants from remote areas and three blind students.