The annual media contest was launched in Hanoi to recognize quiet actions that contribute to the socio-economic development of the city.

An author receives first prize in the 2023 edition of the contest from Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

The contest, launched on March 23, is the result of the cooperation between the Economic and Urban Newspaper, ActionAid Vietnam, and the Aid for Social Protection Program Foundation Vietnam (AFV).

Titled "Silent Contributions 2024", the contest collects and delivers typical stories about typical people and social issues in the capital city.  

This year's contest marks a milestone in the partnership between the three organizations, said Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, at the launch ceremony.

After the contest was launched for the first time in 2023, it became an important annual event where the stories of Hanoi's people, businesses, and organizations were told from different angles, he said.

"Hundreds of writings were submitted to the contest in the previous three editions, highlighting the efforts of women workers with disabilities to strive for a better life. The articles also revealed the harsh conditions under which women in Hanoi have to work, especially in the informal economic sector," he said.

Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor in Chief of the Economic and Urban Newspaper and The Hanoi Times, speaks at the launching ceremony of the Silient Contributions 2024 program in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung

"We hope to help the disadvantaged gain a better knowledge of the law and understand their difficulties so that they may grasp opportunities in the modern age," Loi said.

The organizers expect to involve young people in producing digital media to help better protect the rights of female workers, he added.

"From the 2024 edition, the contest will be a long-term activity that serves the city's idea of improving social security standards for locals," the newspaper's editor-in-chief said.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, AFV Chairman Ta Viet Anh said the three parties are highly committed to supporting local workers, employers, communities and government agencies to raise awareness about the challenges facing the formal and informal economy.

"Through the media contest, we hope to raise public awareness about ensuring labor rights, developing a safe and sustainable society, providing further support to the underprivileged, and reaching out to other journalists who share similar concerns," Anh said.

According to Pham Thanh Hoc, deputy head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Commission for Communication and Education, the media contest has proven to be a compassionate, meaningful, and far-reaching activity.

"Many people have done good things, but their actions go unnoticed. I hope that publicity will be given to these people so that their values will have a positive impact on the community.

The prizes for this year's contest will increase by VND40 million (US$1,610) from last year's. There will be prizes for both professional and non-professional writers.

For professional writers, there will be 22 individual prizes and one collective prize worth a total of VND135 million (US$5,440). For non-professional writers, twelve individual awards and one collective award worth a total of VND100 million ($4,034) will be presented.