Top 10 Ongoing Writing Competitions - Latest Updates 2021

'That First Love' Writing Contest is organized by the Hoa Học Trò magazine. You are invited to capture the essence of your first love, either through words that evoke memories or by recounting a specific moment—sweet or bittersweet—but always personal and irreplaceable.

General Rules:

• Write about your first love, with a maximum of 700 words per submission.
• Include your personal information at the end of the submission, including your full name, address, phone number, and bank account details.
• There is no limit to the number of entries per participant; you can submit multiple essays.
• Entries that pass the preliminary round will be published on Hoa Học Trò Online.

Submission Period: From September 15, 2021 to December 15, 2021

How to Submit: Send your entry to the email: [email protected] with the subject line 'That First Love + Title of Your Entry'.

Awards:

• Each submission will receive a minimum honorarium of 50K per entry, according to editorial guidelines.
• Outstanding pieces will be published in Hoa Học Trò magazine, with an honorarium of 200K per article.
• The best entries will be selected for inclusion in the special spring edition of 'That First Love' released in early 2022, with additional honorarium.

'Igniting the Passion for Reading Among Youth' Contest aims to spread the love of reading, honoring and enhancing the value of books in people's spiritual lives.

General Rules:

• Choose one of two participation formats: a written entry with relevant images or a video conveying the message.
• No limit on the number of submissions.
• Entries that meet the requirements will be published on the official Facebook page: Nhà Sách Nhân Văn.
• Submissions must be original, with a minimum of 100 words, not previously published, and not entered in any other competition, including personal social media.
• The content should be thoughtful, with high-quality images, no plagiarism, and no offensive language. Bonus points will be awarded for creative presentation.
• The contest winner will be selected based on reader engagement and shares. The final decision rests with the editorial team of Nhân Văn.
• Winning entries will be featured on the official media channels of Nhà Sách Nhân Văn.

Timeline:

• Participation period: 8:00 PM on 06/11/2021 to 9:00 AM on 06/12/2021.
• Voting deadline: 10:00 AM on 10/12/2021.
• Results announcement: 8:00 PM on 12/12/2021.

How to Submit:

• Register via the form at: https://forms.gle/xrvHTipDNz2Y4fN66

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 1,500,000 VND
• 2nd Prize: 1,000,000 VND
• 3rd Prize: 700,000 VND
• Encouragement Prize: 500,000 VND

Goodbyes are never easy, yet they are something we all inevitably experience at least once in our lives. Whether it's a farewell to a lover, friends, teachers, colleagues, or anyone special, the emotion of parting is universal.

The 'Writing for the Day of Goodbye' contest is organized by the Young Writers Community – a project focused on media, artistic development, and community (under the TUỔI TRẺ XANH MEDIA – TUOI TRE XANH CO.,LTD).

General Rules:

• Participants must be Vietnamese or foreigners residing and working in Vietnam (open to all ages, genders, regions, religions, and professions), with an active Facebook account.
• Accepted genres: short prose, memoirs, articles, short stories, essays, etc. (poetry, rhymes, and chants are not accepted).
• Copyright: Entries must be original works by the author, never before entered in any other competition or published on any website, media outlet, or printed in any form.
• Entries must not contain abbreviations, spelling mistakes, excessive slang, or inappropriate foreign words.
• Content must adhere to Vietnamese cultural norms and should not contain controversial topics related to politics, religion, history, etc.
• Entries should align with the theme of the contest and be in accordance with Vietnamese laws.
• All submissions meeting the initial screening criteria will be published on the Young Writers Community website: https://caybuttre.vn
• Entries must be shared on the author's personal Facebook account with public visibility, using the mandatory hashtags: #caybuttre #ngaychiatay

Timeline:

• Submission period: from 20/10/2021 to 20/01/2022.
• Judging period: until 25/01/2022.
• Results announcement and award ceremony: 26/01/2022 (tentative).

Submission Instructions:

• Email submissions to: [email protected]
• Subject line format: Author's Name_Day of Goodbye
• Required materials:
• The entry as an attached Word document.
• Illustrative images (if any).
• Personal information: Full name, pen name, date of birth, Facebook link, address for receiving mail, contact phone number, and bank account details for prize distribution.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 1,000,000 VND in cash, a certificate, and a gift from the sponsor.
• 2nd Prize: 2 prizes of 500,000 VND each, a certificate, and a gift from the sponsor.
• 3rd Prize: 5 prizes of 200,000 VND each, a certificate, and a gift from the sponsor.

The 'Essays on Argumentative Writing' contest aims to foster creativity in students' writing, encourage innovation, and provide opportunities for students to showcase their essay-writing skills, particularly in argumentative writing. The Institute of Book and Educational Materials Research – Vietnam Education Publishing House organizes this contest.

Each month, Literature & Youth will publish 2-4 argumentative essay topics (including social and literary arguments). These topics are designed to challenge the writer's thinking, and will not include answers or suggestions. Participants can choose from the posted topics on VH&TT or submit their own selected topic. We encourage creative writing with clear, logical arguments, persuasive reasoning, and fresh examples.

General Rules:

• Each essay should be no longer than 1,500 words, neatly and scientifically written on one A4 page. Please include your full name, age, phone number, address, and school.
• Open to all middle and high school students across the country.

Deadline: Submit your entry by 1st June 2022.

Submission Instructions:

• Email your essay to: [email protected] or send it by mail to: Literature and Youth – 187B Giang Vo, Cat Linh, Hanoi; Phone: (024) 35122847.
• In the email subject, please specify: 'Argumentative Writing Contest Entry'.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 3,000,000 VND
• 2nd Prize: 1,500,000 VND
• 3rd Prize: 1,000,000 VND
• Encouragement Prize: 500,000 VND
• Additionally, a prize will be awarded to the group with the most submissions.
• Winning entries will be featured in future editions of Literature and Youth, receive a payment, and may be selected for publication in a book. Non-winning entries will not be returned to the authors.

'You Say LASE Listens' is a writing contest focused on sharing personal stories of social prejudice that you have experienced, endured, or witnessed, along with your thoughts and reflections on these issues. This contest is organized by the LASE Club – Lend a Sympathetic Ear and is open to all participants.

General Rules:

• The work must be over 400 words and written in Vietnamese.
• Entries must be original works that have not been previously used. If it is found that an entry has been used before, the submission will be disqualified.
• The content of the essay should not include the writer's personal information.
• Entries must be well-organized, with spaced paragraphs and no abbreviations.
• Each submission should include: a title, the author's name, and the content of the essay.
• Any submission that does not comply with the rules will be disqualified.

Submission Period: 9:00 PM, November 14 - 9:00 PM, December 1, 2021

Submission Method: Registration link: https://forms.gle/LMaFqHF9t1zDMjh98

Prizes:

• Each participant whose entry complies with the rules will receive a certificate of participation.
• 1st Prize: 2 online IELTS 6.5 accounts, 1 IELTS Writing assessment session, 1 10% off shopping voucher from Doris
• 2nd Prize: 1 online IELTS account, 1 IELTS Writing assessment session
• 3rd Prize: 1 online IELTS account
• Reader's Choice Prize: 1 online IELTS 6.5 account, 1 10% off shopping voucher from Doris
• Prizes for the next 8 best entries: 2 10% off shopping vouchers from Doris
• Best Comment Prize: 1 IELTS Writing assessment session

'Reflections on Life' is a writing contest asking participants to describe their personal journey through life or share an unforgettable memory. While the contest has no restrictions on topics, we encourage the following three themes:

• What have you realized after years of struggling with life? During moments of frustration and exhaustion, what or who inspired you to keep going?
• What is your perspective on a belief or opinion (excluding politics) that many people agree with or consider a truth, but you feel it is either outdated or needs to be changed?
• What do you believe is the meaning of life in an era overwhelmed by invisible pressures?

General Rules:

• Natural writing style, no spelling mistakes, no abbreviations, slang, or text speak.
• Submissions must be original and not previously published on any website or in any other contest.
• Entries must include at least 2 and at most 5 copyright-free images from sources like Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash, etc.
• Do not use images from Google without permission. If using images from another website, please include the link.
• Each submission must be between 800 and 1500 words (+/- 500 words if the content is appropriate).
• No plagiarism, no violation of intellectual property rights.
• The content must be healthy, and not related to politics or any incitement of division.
• If an entry violates copyright and wins a prize, the result will be canceled. If it doesn't win but is published, it will be removed.
• There is no limit to the number of submissions.

Submission Period and Deadline:

• Round 1: June 15, 2021 - September 15, 2021 - Results announced on September 22, 2021
• Round 2: September 15, 2021 - December 15, 2021 - Results announced on December 22, 2021
• Round 3: December 15, 2021 - March 15, 2022 - Results announced on March 22, 2022

Submission Method:

• Submit your entry in a Word document via email to [email protected].
• Each submission email should include the title of your entry, along with your full name, phone number, and Facebook link.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 500,000 VND (1 prize)
• 2nd Prize: 300,000 VND (1 prize)
• 3rd Prize: 200,000 VND (1 prize)
• Prize for Most Impactful Entry: 200,000 VND (1 prize)

'Hoạ đề giang sơn' – Opening the Gates of the Exam Hall to Welcome Candidates is a contest based on the theme, 'In the long history of Vietnam, which national hero has left the greatest impression on you?' The contest consists of two rounds: Content Evaluation and Online Voting. Points from these rounds will be judged separately according to different criteria.

General Rules:

• Entries must be written in Vietnamese, either in prose or poetry. Other genres (e.g., drama) will not be accepted. However, combining multiple genres is allowed if the primary genre is either prose or poetry.
• Entries must not exceed 2000 words. Only the content of the entry will be counted, not the candidate's details at the beginning of the submission.
• Submissions must be sent via email to the official contest email.
• Previous entries that have been used in other competitions are not eligible for this contest.
• Plagiarism, copyright infringement, or idea theft in any form is strictly prohibited. Any entries found to violate these rules will be disqualified.
• Entries must not contain vulgar language or overly excessive expressions.
• Entries violating the contest rules will be disqualified from the competition and from winning any prizes.

Timeline:

• Submission period: 8:30 PM, November 20, 2021 – 11:59 PM, December 10, 2021.
• Online voting opens on December 16, 2021, and closes on December 20, 2021.
• Results will be announced on December 22, 2021.

Submission Method:

• Entries must be submitted as Google Docs (with access permissions enabled).
• Submit your entry via the following link (be sure to read the instructions at the top of the link): https://tinyurl.com/guibaiduthiHDGS
• Entries should include both the written work and images (with proper image sources credited). Entries without images will use images provided by the organizing committee.
• Participants are encouraged to provide their own images for their entries.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 2,000,000 VND
• 2nd Prize: 1,000,000 VND
• 3rd Prize: 500,000 VND
• Most Popular Entry Prize: 500,000 VND

Inspired by the timeless lullabies of the Vietnamese people, the 'Vietnam, Land of the Cradle Song' poetry contest, organized by the Union of Applied Computer Science and Technology, is aimed at preserving and promoting the beautiful cultural heritage of Vietnam. The contest celebrates the beauty of women in family and social life, as well as the pride and love for the homeland across regions. This is a platform for poets to express their deep affection for mothers, as well as their admiration for the diverse beauty of Vietnam, expressed through respect and national pride.

This contest serves as an opportunity for writers to showcase their love for their homeland and families, contributing to the development of society today. It is also an initiative to discover and honor high-quality poetry works, coinciding with the International Women's Day celebrations on March 8, 2022. The contest encourages poems about mothers, the homeland, and the nation. While traditional styles are valued, innovative and artistic approaches are also welcome.

General Rules:

• Open to all Vietnamese citizens, both domestic and international.
• Works previously published in newspapers or books may be submitted, except for works that have won national-level prizes in other competitions.
• Each author can submit between 3 to 15 poems.
• The organizers will not accept epic poetry or satirical poems.
• Entries can be submitted via email or postal mail.
• Authors must provide their full name, address, and contact number.
• Selected poems that meet the criteria will be published in a book.
• The organizers will not return manuscript submissions.

Timeline:

• Entries will be accepted from November 18, 2021, and the deadline for submission is January 30, 2022.
• The awards ceremony will take place on March 8, 2022, in celebration of International Women's Day.

Submission Instructions:

• Submit entries to:
• Email: [email protected]
• Postal mail: UNION OF APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (IUA) - 1 Dong Tac, Kim Liên, Dong Da, Hanoi (0984412778)
• In the subject line, specify: 'Poetry Submission for Vietnam, Land of the Cradle Song'

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 12,000,000 VND
• 2nd Prize: 9,000,000 VND
• 3rd Prize: 6,000,000 VND
• 4th Prize: 3,000,000 VND

The Literary Contest on the Theme of Workers and Trade Unions is led by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, in collaboration with several central Party committees and relevant ministries, with direct implementation by Lao Dong Newspaper and the Vietnam Writers' Association.

This contest provides an opportunity for both professional and amateur writers, as well as workers inside and outside the country, to create literary works that reflect the vibrant realities of workers' lives, their work, and to encourage and inspire them to engage in innovative and productive labor. The contest honors the pioneering workforce in the nation's industrialization and modernization process, as well as the role and impact of trade unions in promoting the reading culture and improving the cultural and spiritual life of workers, civil servants, and union members.

General Rules:

• Categories for submission: novels and short stories.
• Participants include:
  • Vietnamese citizens, both domestic and international, especially professional and amateur writers, trade union members, and workers.
  • Members of the steering committee, organizing committee, and judges may submit works to support the contest but are not allowed to participate in judging or awards.
• Submitted works must be complete manuscripts that have not been previously published or submitted to any other contests.
• Each work must be clearly identified with the author's name, pen name (if any), year of birth, profession, workplace, gender, and contact details (address, email, phone number).
• Each author may submit multiple works, but under the same name or pen name.
• Participants must take responsibility for the authorship and intellectual property rights of their works.
• Submitted works will be owned by the organizing committee and may be published in Lao Dong Newspaper and Van Nghe Magazine after acceptance, with one-time payment according to regulations. Unused works will not be returned.
• During the contest period, the organizing committee has the right to use the submitted works free of charge for contest promotion.
• After the contest, the organizing committee may use the works for public awareness campaigns on workers' movements, trade union activities, and may adapt them into films.

Timeline:

• The contest runs from November 2021 to Q4 2023.
• Launch and press conference: 9:00 AM on November 23, 2021.
• Submission period: from the launch date until August 30, 2023 (based on postal or email postmark).
• Award ceremony: Q4 2023.
• The list of winners will be announced widely in newspapers, magazines, and media outlets across the country.

Submission Instructions:

• Submission packet must include:
  • Author's information: full name, pen name (if applicable), current title, workplace, contact details (phone, email, address).
  • Summary of the work.
  • Complete manuscript of the work.
• Works that do not follow the rules will be disqualified, and the organizing committee is not responsible for any related complaints.
• Send paper submissions to: Lao Dong Newspaper, 6 Pham Van Bach, Yen Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi (envelope labeled: 'Participation in the Workers and Trade Unions Literary Contest 2021-2023').
• Electronic submissions to: [email protected] or [email protected]
• The organizing committee is not responsible for lost or damaged submissions due to postal errors.
• The organizing committee reserves the right to amend the contest rules as necessary.

Prizes:

• For short stories: 15 prizes, including:
  • 1 Grand Prize: 200,000,000 VND.
  • 1 First Prize: 150,000,000 VND.
  • 2 Second Prizes: 100,000,000 VND each.
  • 3 Third Prizes: 50,000,000 VND each.
  • 8 Encouragement Prizes: 20,000,000 VND each.
• For novels: 14 prizes, including:
  • 1 Grand Prize: 400,000,000 VND.
  • 1 First Prize: 300,000,000 VND.
  • 2 Second Prizes: 150,000,000 VND each.
  • 3 Third Prizes: 100,000,000 VND each.
  • 7 Encouragement Prizes: 30,000,000 VND each.
• The total prize pool is approximately 2.5 billion VND, funded through social contributions.
• The organizing committee reserves the right to add special or subsidiary prizes based on the actual results of the contest.

The "Going Home" Writing Contest is a contest organized by the Vietnam Writers' Association Southern Branch (NXB Hội Nhà văn) in cooperation with the online platform vanvn.vn, the official mouthpiece of the Vietnam Writers' Association. The contest invites participants to share their personal journey back home, or the stories of friends and family, during the difficult and challenging times of the pandemic. The goal is to spread warmth and human connection during these trying days.

General Regulations:

• The contest is open to all writers, professional and amateur, inside and outside of Vietnam, with no age or occupational restrictions.
• Each participant may submit 1 to 3 entries.
• Entries must be written in Vietnamese, unpublished in books, newspapers, social media, forums, or personal websites; they should be in the form of essays or journal entries with a maximum length of 1,200 words, and must include a photo of the author and a related image.
• Authors are responsible for the copyright of their works.
• High-quality entries will be published on vanvn.vn (the official website of the Vietnam Writers' Association) and the "Going Home" contest page on Facebook from December 15, 2021, to January 25, 2022 (from the 12th to the 23rd of the 11th lunar month) and on the vanvn.vn Facebook page.
• Authors will receive payment for their works according to the contest's guidelines.

Contest Timeline:

• The contest accepts submissions from December 1, 2021 (27th of the 10th lunar month), with the deadline for submissions being January 20, 2022 (18th of the 12th lunar month, Year of the Ox).
• The awards ceremony is scheduled for February 15, 2022 (15th day of the first lunar month).

Submission Guidelines:

• Entries should be sent via email to: [email protected] or to the Vietnam Writers' Association (Southern Branch) at 371/16 Hai Bà Trưng, P.8, Q.3, Ho Chi Minh City; Phone: 028.38297915.
• Include the subject line: "Going Home Contest Entry" for email submissions or on the envelope for postal submissions.
• Please provide the author's information: address, phone number, and bank account details.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: 10 million VND + a gift
• 2nd Prize (two winners): 5 million VND + a gift each
• 3rd Prize (three winners): 3 million VND + a gift each
• 10 Encouragement Prizes: 1 million VND + a gift each
• Additionally, there will be a special prize for the entry with the most likes and shares: 1 million VND + a gift.

* All prize winners will receive a certificate from the organizing committee. The organizing committee may also use the winning entries for book publishing purposes.