Ten nominations for the award of “Bui Xuan Phai – For the Love of Hanoi” 2022 have just been announced by the jury, featuring in four categories of “Grand Prize”, “Works – For the Love of Hanoi”, “Ideas – For the Love of Hanoi” and “Actions – For the Love of Hanoi”.

The award ceremony is expected to take place in early October 2022 in the capital city.

Ideal nominations

Vietnamese famous painter Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988). File photo

The nominations for the Grand Prize have not been announced. Three candidates for the “Works - For the Love of Hanoi” category, are the “Hanoi-Hanoi” photobook, monograph on Hanoi cuisine - “Hanoians: One-time and eating drinking habits” and cultural research book “Kim Hoang Folk Painting”.

The photobook “Hanoi Hanoi” is Vietnamese, English and Italian by authors Minh Pham, Vietnamese American, and Paola Boncompagni, Italian artist. Being released by the World Publishing House, the photobook features unique photos themed Hanoi captured in 2016 by Minh with his cellphone.

Meanwhile, the travel-themed photos were taken by Italian journalist and documentary producer Paola Boncompagni and annotated in Italian. Proceeds from the book sale will be donated to the Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin.

“Hanoians: One-time and Eating Drinking Habits” monograph by writer Vu The Long was published by Chibooks.

The “Kim Hoang Folk Paintings” by Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa (World Publishing House) provides a panoramic view of the origin of Kim Hoang folk paintings, the traditional way of producing the pictures, and the challenges in preserving and developing this traditional painting school in modern life.

A photo themed Hanoi in "Hanoi Hanoi" photobook by Minh Pham and Paola Boncompagni

In addition, there are also three nominations for “Actions - For the Love of Hanoi” category.

The first nomination is the project “Preservation, repair and anti-degradation of the manor at 49 Tran Hung Dao - 46 Hang Bai” which is underway from April 2022.

The 1000-sqm manor was built in the early 20th century and is considered one of the properties that still retain colonial architectural traits. The renovation, following the methods that are being applied in France, will serve as a model for the restoration of similar French-era buildings in Hanoi.

The second nomination is the project of “Forty years of building, preserving and developing the Poetry Club in Chua Village” (in Ung Hoa District, Hanoi). The use of poetry to communicate with each other has long been a daily life habit for these villagers on Hanoi’s outskirt.

The third nomination is the work of “Restoration, embellishment, and preservation of national architectural and artistic relics of the headquarters of the Supreme People's Court”. The French-style building, which was constructed in 1906, is located at No.47 Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Hanoi’s downtown.

The old building of the Supreme People's Court. Photo: Tapchitoaan.vn

There are also other three candidates for “Ideas - For the Love of Hanoi” category, according to the organizers. 

“The proposal to remove the fence of Thong Nhat Park and create an "open" space to connect with the surrounding area is considered as a bold idea. Together with the iconic park of Hanoi, a pedestrian zone will be formed in Tran Nhan Tong Street, creating a beautiful surrounding area for residents in Dong Da District, Hanoi.

The idea of bike rental in Hanoi is also considered highly feasible. Accordingly, Hanoi's Department of Transport will be launching bike-sharing services in seven inner districts of the capital before the third quarter of the year to provide both locals and tourists with ecological transport options. This is a pilot project using 100% capital from the private sector.

The final nomination for the idea category is the “Study on turning the alluvial islet in the Red River into a cultural park”. The project aims to exploit the potential and advantages of the natural beauty of the Red River, making the place a new tourist attraction in Hanoi.

The outstanding Awards

A Kim Hoang Folk Painting. File photo

The “Bui Xuan Phai - For the Love of Hanoi Awards” was initiated by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s Sports and Culture newspaper and the family of the late famous painter Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988) in 2008 to honor his career and spread his love for the capital city.

The jury of the awards includes individuals who are recognized by the public for their contributions to the development of Hanoi culture.

According to historian Duong Trung Quoc, the annual Bui Xuan Phai – For the Love of Hanoi Awards is a meaningful recognition honoring artworks and deeds for Hanoi. “The prizes are of great encouragement, honoring individuals and groups for their contribution to the cultural development of the capital,” he said.

“In order to select the official candidates for the four main categories of the award, the jury had to work hard to choose the best works among many ideas that have been associated with Hanoi the over year,” he added.

So far, nearly 180 nominations have been submitted and about 50 prizes awarded to both Vietnamese and international authors during its past 14 seasons.

The 15th award ceremony will be held in conjunction with the “Hanoi Green” photo award next month, according to Bui Xuan Phai Award - For the Love of Hanoi Organizing Committee. The Special Prize for the best photo about Hanoi is worth at least VND30 million (US$1,315), in addition to the First, Second, Third, and Consolation prizes.

The green space of Thong Nhat Park in Dong Da District, Hanoi. Photo: Afamily.vn