During this time, he has traveled extensively throughout Vietnam, making friends and developing a strong, special affection for the country.

South Korean professor Ahn Kyong Hwan wins the special prize in the 2024 Hanoi in My Heart writing contest. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Now a professor and director of foreign affairs at Nguyen Trai University, the South Korean chose Hanoi as his home because of its rich culture and history, as well as its resilient yet friendly and open people, he told The Hanoi Times.

His essay entitled "Hanoi is a Golden Star in My Heart" recently won a special prize at the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO) "Hanoi in My Heart" writing contest. The work highlights significant milestones in the history of the thousand-year-old city and tells fascinating stories from the perspective of a foreign scholar.

According to Tran Thi Phuong, Vice President of HAUFO, the writing contest was enthusiastically attended by a large number of diplomats, foreign students studying in Hanoi, and Vietnamese living abroad. Many contestants displayed rich Vietnamese language skills, wrote with emotion, and expressed their special affection for Hanoi.

"There are participants who have studied Vietnamese for many years and are considered Vietnamese by their teachers and friends. Many feel that Hanoi is their second home. Although the entries were not long, they all conveyed a deep attachment to the land and people of Hanoi, demonstrating an understanding of the city's history, culture, and cuisine," Phuong affirmed at the contest's awards ceremony on October 26.

In total, nearly 200 essays were submitted, from which the judges selected 50 outstanding essays for final judging, of which one was awarded a special prize, two earned first prizes, three bagged second prizes, five won third prizes and 10 took home consolation prizes.

The two first prizes went to Saadi Salama, the Palestinian ambassador to Vietnam, for his work "Another Hanoi", and to contestant Mei Leng from China for her entry "Hanoi in My Eyes."

Yesterday's event also featured a peace and friendship melody festival under the theme "Echoes of the Peaceful City". It provided an opportunity for non-professional expatriate artists from various clubs and organizations to meet, exchange, and strengthen solidarity, thus promoting the work of people-to-people diplomacy in Hanoi.

The performances were a showcase of Hanoi's vibrant and diverse culture. The organizers awarded five consolation prizes, five third prizes, and three-second prizes. The two first prizes went to performances by the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association and the Hanoi Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association, while the special prize was given to the Hanoi UNESCO Association.