A painting named "To the dear South" by Bui Duy Anh, 14, from the northern Quang Ninh, who was born deaf and mute.
Anh's work is among more than 2,000 paintings and 100 handwritten letters and poems submitted to the contest by children with cancer and other critical diseases, autism, disabilities, Agent Orange and orphans.
The contest "For a triumphant Vietnam" stopped receiving entries on September 24, and is entering the voting phase. Votes account for 30 percent of the total points. The award ceremony and exhibition will be held in October.
The contestants are children being treated at hospitals across the country such as the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the National Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital 2, Da Nang Maternity and Children's Hospital, Hue Central Hospital, and participants from SOS's children villages from North to South.
The painting above is created by a group of 7th graders at the SOS village in Ho Chi Minh City.
The contest attracted more than 1,000 participants, from over 40 provinces and cities across the country, some as young as four years old.
Many children and parents told organizers that participating in the contest, brainstorming ideas, sketching, detailing, coloring and drawing, brought them joy and excitement during the time of Covi-19 social distancing.
Some participants worked on their pieces between chemotherapy sessions, and some tried to write handwritten letters despite body defects.
This painting, "Three Little Pigs in the time of Covid-19", is by Tran Duy Lam, a 9-year-old boy with autism in Hanoi.
Lam Binh, his mother, said that Lam wants to convey his message of solidarity through the "Three little pigs" fable, using the context of the pandemic. The pigs can be seen wearing masks, washing hands, studying online, and isolating themselves at home.
"He just had two weeks to complete the work, which trained his patience, meticulousness, and concentration. He smiled at each characters in the painting. I believe that my son is gradually being aware of a historical period that the whole society is going through, and has faith in the victory and peace at the end,"said Lam's mother.
Pham Anh Tuan, 15, a pediatric cancer patient, created this painting, "Fight Covid", while undergoing treatment at the National Children's Hospital. Tuan had been unable to return home for the past two months, and painting helped entertain him in hospital.
"I hope the hospital's medical staffs and frontline doctors stay healthy to help patients reunite with their families soon!," Tuan said.
"Dear doctors and nurses, thank you for taking care of and curing Covid-19 patients day and night. I wish you all the best. I hope you stay healthy and we will win," said Vien Thi Ngoc Anh, the author.
This work was authored by Chu Thanh Ngoc at Tam An Center for Children with Disabilities. Its title is "You're my hero, Dad."
Nguyen Tran Thao Nguyen, 7, from Da Lat, created a paiting that shows the solidarity of the police, soldiers, doctors and volunteers in the pandemic fight.
"I want to thank all heroes who have made sacrifices in the fight against Covid-19 to protect families and our society. The battle is long and arduous, but victory is certain if every citizen implements prevention measures properly," Nguyen said.
"Joining hands to fight the pandemic" is a message conveyed through this picture of Hoang Thi Thanh Hien, a cancer patient from Yen Bai.
In the fight against Covid-19, the 15-year-old girl was impressed with the supportive spirit of Vietnamese people. She is proud to see nurses, doctors, police officers, and volunteers making every effort to save and help people.
"With gratitude, I painted this image with a wish that the pandemic will end soon, so that everyone can return to their families and normal lives," Hien said.
This painting is of Do Minh Ngoc, 9, from Hanoi.
"I hope the epidemic will end soon so that we can return to school, having fun like before," Ngoc said.
A painting by Ngo Thi Hang from SOS village in Pleiku in the Central Highlands.
As an ambassador of the contest, singer Ha Anh Tuan said: "I don't think we adults will judge the paintings as beautiful or not. The important thing is we will understand the good, honest and passionate dreams of the children."
Launched on Aug. 8, the "For a triumphant Vietnam" contest is co-organized by "The Sun of Hope" (formerly The Sun) program, Hope Foundation, Foreign Trade University, and iOne.net.
The contest is sponsored by VTV and VnExpress.
For more information, click here.
