The winning letter by Pham Doan Minh Khue in the 2025 UPU letter writing contest has been translated into French and sent to the Universal Postal Union in Switzerland for the international round.

On May 16, the Ministry of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam Writers’ Association, the Central Youth Union, Vietnam Post, Tien Phong and Nhi Dong Newspapers, and VietNamNet, held the closing and award ceremony for the 54th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Contest - 2025.

This year’s theme was: “Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone to explain why and how they should take care of you.”

At the event, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long, head of the organizing committee, said the UPU letter writing contest has become a meaningful annual activity for Vietnamese students for over three decades.

“This year’s theme not only sparked creativity and writing skills in students but also nurtured a sense of responsibility toward the environment - one of the world’s most pressing issues,” said Deputy Minister Long.

He expressed delight at the enthusiastic response from students across the country, with around 1.5 million entries submitted - an impressive figure demonstrating the growing interest of the young generation in global concerns.

He also credited the contest’s success to the effective, long-term collaboration among organizing bodies and judges. Teachers, he noted, have played a vital role in inspiring students - the future leaders of the nation and the world - to engage in the contest creatively and proactively.

He hoped the contest would continue to gain attention and cooperation, becoming a healthy and enriching platform for students to develop their thinking, emotions, and awareness of global issues linked to Vietnam’s societal concerns.

Journalist Do Thi Thanh Binh, Deputy Head of the Jury, remarked that this year’s broad theme allowed students to demonstrate extensive knowledge about oceans and their importance to human life. Topics explored included marine pollution, plastic waste, melting ice, rising sea levels, climate change, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching.

Many essays proposed solutions to ocean conservation while honoring inspirational figures and warning against human negligence regarding urgent environmental challenges.

“The letters reflected a deep sense of love, pride, and concern for Vietnam’s maritime heritage. They were addressed to prominent figures such as the UN Secretary-General, world leaders, and influential artists, singers, directors, writers, and poets,” said journalist Thanh Binh.

“One student even wrote to tech billionaire Elon Musk, urging him to consider oceanic issues before reaching for the stars, and to use technology to care for and protect the oceans. The message left a strong impression on the jury.”

At the ceremony, the national first prize was awarded to Pham Doan Minh Khue, a 10th grader from Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted in Da Nang. Da Nang also had a top winner last year.

Khue said she imagined herself as the ocean writing to director James Cameron - famed for films like Titanic (1997), The Abyss (1989), and Avatar (2009). In the letter, the ocean described the destruction it suffers at human hands, its pain so intense it felt its “heart is about to stop beating.” The ocean pleaded with the acclaimed director to create a film to awaken humanity.

In addition to the top prize, organizers and judges also awarded other categories, including three second prizes, five third prizes, 30 consolation prizes, 61 “Promising Pen” awards, 10 “Idea Ignition” awards, and 10 group prizes. The first and second prize winners also received the “Creative Youth” badge from the Central Youth Union.

Thuy Nga