On May 19 the Council of State Awards and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony to present the Ho Chi Minh and State Awards for Literature and the Arts and announce the winners of the People’s Artist title.

President Truong Tan Sang attended the event.

This is the fourth time the Ho Chi Minh Award for Literature and the Arts has been held to honour writers and artists. The first time the prize was awarded was in 1996.

President Truong Tan Sang gives the Ho Chi Minh Award for Literature and the Arts  to 12 authors - Photo: V.A

This year, the Council of State Awards went to 12 works of literature and arts and recognised 74 nominees for the People’s Artist title.

In addition, 128 art works and groups of art work were presented with the State Award for literature and the arts and 356 nominees received the Meritorious artist title.

The Ho Chi Minh Award, the State Award for Literature and the Arts and the title of People’s Artist and Meritorious Artist are noble prizes, recognising the writers and artists who have made important contributions to the country’s cultural development.

While speaking at the ceremony, President Truong Tan Sang called on artists to continue inheriting and upholding the nation’s cultural tradition of creating art and literary works with a profound cultural value, featuring the national characteristics.