The Buddy Bear designs of three Vietnamese artists have won awards by the Buddy Bear Art Competition in celebration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.

The winners are awarded at the ceremony.

At the contest, launched by the Germany Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), the artists were invited to present their impressions, ideas and visions on the manifold aspects of German-Vietnamese relations in the anniversary year by creating a Buddy Bear.

During the Covid-19 contact restrictions, out of 14 submissions, the three artists Chu Thuy Quynh, Nguyen Xuan Lam and Phung Van Tue designed the Buddy Bear in their homes. 

At an awarding ceremony at the residence of German Ambassador Dr. Guido Hildner on November 6, in the presence of Germany alumni, artists, representatives of German and Vietnamese institutions and the Vietnamese-German Friendship Society, each of the three winners of the art competition was handed over a cash prize of VND15 million (US$646.6). The three Buddy Bears will be displayed from November 16 at the exhibition hall of the VICAS Art Studio, Hanoi.

The Buddy Bears originated from an art project in 2001. They have become a landmark of Berlin and are considered unofficial ambassadors of Germany. The outstretched arms of the standing Buddy Bear symbolize friendliness and optimism. 

The “United Buddy Bears” were created in 2002. The exhibition of around 140 Buddy Bears designed by artists from member states of the United Nations promotes peaceful coexistence between people of all races, cultures and religions. Since their first exhibition in Berlin, over 40 million visitors have already admired the Buddy Bears.