At this year’s event, much attention was drawn to Nguyen Tran Khai Duy, a fourth-year student of Linguistics and Literature at Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Earlier, Duy won first prize from Saigon Books’ Company for a Tet poem in the traditional verse form of six and eight syllables. His winning work vividly and emotionally described the traditional atmosphere of Vietnam’s lunar New Year celebrations – the busy preparations and the joy of reuniting with loved ones. Duy said his mother’s tray of five fruits, a Tet offering to the deities and ancestors, reminded him of what exactly is needed for Tet, added that his poems tell stories of his daily life.

"This event is a forum for young writers like me to improve their writing. I think it is also an ideal venue for young and old writers to share experiences and compensate for each other’s inadequacy and shortcomings. We can share our passions with our predecessors and learn from their experience," Duy told VOV. 

Young poet  Nguyen Tran Khai Duy

Student Chung Bao Ngan of the HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the a proud author of many poems on women in modern society.

"The difficulties facing young writers include a lack of experience. Most of my poems are based on my own life experiences - what I have been through or seen in my life.", said Ngan.

Poetess Chung Bao Ngan

Life and love in modern life have inspired many young writers. Minh Dan, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Young Writers’ Committee, told VOV: "Instead of focusing on romance and abstract topics, young poets are paying more attention to people around them and portraying those people’s lives and aspirations. They are expected to create more diverse literary works to cater to a wider public’s tastes."