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Ministry of Education and Training and ADB to Launch Essay Contest "Viet Nam 2030"

BAC GIANG, VIETNAM (20 September 2007) – An Essay Contest "Viet Nam 2030" is launched today by the Ministry of Education and Training and Asian Development Bank's Viet Nam Resident Mission, at Viet Tien Lower Secondary School, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang Province. The Kick-off Ceremony was attended by Vice Minister for Education and Training, Tran Van Nhung, ADB Country Director for Viet Nam, Ayumi Konishi, as well as other senior Government officials representing Bac Giang People Committee, various departments under Ministry of Education and Training, and other agencies.

The essay contest is for students between 11 to 18 years of age to describe Viet Nam's vision for the year 2030 in 2030 words. The intended participants of the contest are secondary students through all over the country. The essays should describe secondary students' views as to: how Viet Nam should look like in 2030?; what needs to be done between now and then for the country to achieve such a vision?; what kind or roles do the secondary students would like to play in Viet Nam in 2030?; and how do they plan to prepare themselves for their future role in 2030?

"As Viet Nam is accelerating its growth and trying to become a middle income country by 2010, and hopes to become an industrialized nation by 2020, we thought it will be particularly interesting and useful to hear the views of the secondary school students," said Ayumi Konishi at the kick-off ceremony. "These secondary school students will be the ones to build the country over the 50 years, and support the country's development process."

45 prized will be awarded to the best authors of the essays which include three first prizes, three second prizes, nine third prizes and 30 consolation prizes. The number of the prized will be equally distributed among three regions of the country: the North, the Center (including Central Highlands), and the South. The best essays will be published and the winners will receive certificates and scholarships. 

The essay contest is being organized as one of the activities commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the ADB Viet Nam Resident Mission. Participants can send their essays to the ADB Viet Nam Resident Mission during the period from 20 September to 20 November 2007. The Awarding Ceremony will be organized in late December 2007. Currently, private sector sponsors are being invited to help support this essay contest.

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