The Grand Prize for Lifetime Achievement - De Men Knight - has been awarded to late Associate Professor, Doctor, artist, director and People’s Artist Ngo Manh Lan in recognition of his lifelong contributions to Vietnamese children’s arts.
The 7th De Men Children’s Awards 2026 has officially announced its winners, including one Grand Prize for Lifetime Achievement - De Men Knight, six De Men Aspirations awards and four Jury Commendations.
Founded by the Vietnam News Agency and organized annually by The Thao va Van Hoa (Sports & Culture) newspaper since 2020, the De Men Children’s Awards aim to honor artistic creations and performances made by and for children. Over the past six seasons, the awards have presented the De Men Knight title to celebrated authors Nguyen Nhat Anh, Tran Duc Tien, Ly Lan and musician Pham Tuyen.
Stepping into its seventh season, organizers said the awards have been elevated with several important innovations, aiming to help build a cultural and artistic ecosystem for Vietnamese children in the digital era while also promoting reading culture and the development of cultural industry products for young audiences.
People’s Artist Ngoc Lan accepted the Grand Prize for Lifetime Achievement - De Men Knight on behalf of her late husband, Associate Professor, Doctor, artist, director and People’s Artist Ngo Manh Lan.
According to the results announced by the jury after the final round on May 14, 2026, the Grand Prize for Lifetime Achievement - De Men Knight was awarded to late People’s Artist Ngo Manh Lan, widely regarded as a pioneering figure of Vietnamese animation. He left behind a remarkable legacy through classic works such as Chuyen Ong Giong (The Story of Saint Giong), Meo Con (Kitten), Tre Coc (Catfish and Toad), Con Sao Biet Noi (The Talking Starling), Nhung Chiec Ao Am (Warm Coats), along with many famous illustrations for De Men Phieu Luu Ky (Diary of a Cricket).
The jury praised Ngo Manh Lan not only for his major contributions to animated films and children’s book illustration but also for helping shape the style of modern Vietnamese comics. His works are considered part of the childhood memories of generations of Vietnamese readers.
Poet Tran Dang Khoa, chairman of the jury council, said the Lifetime Achievement - De Men Knight award is a meaningful initiative honoring artists who dedicated their entire lives to children. Painter Thanh Chuong added that honoring Ngo Manh Lan was fully deserved because of both his talent and his profound influence on later generations of artists.
Award winners of the De Men Aspirations category.
In the De Men Aspirations category, six works received awards, including 100 Cai Chan (100 Legs) by Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, Ba Noi Ky La Nhut The Gian (The Strangest Grandma in the World) by Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien, the painting collection Viet Nam Qua Net Ve Cua Hai Nam (Vietnam Through Hai Nam’s Drawings) by young artist Nguyen Dang Hai Nam, Chu Robot Tuong Minh La Nguoi (The Robot Who Thought He Was Human) by Le Anh Vinh, the animated series Wolfoo produced by Sconnect Viet Nam, and the comic Yersin - Khuc Hat Ca Ong (Yersin - Song of the Whale Spirit) by Ta Huy Long.
This year’s season also continued to spotlight outstanding young talents. Sixteen-year-old artist Nguyen Dang Hai Nam won a De Men Aspirations award for his paintings portraying Vietnamese life and culture through an emotional perspective. Three other young creators - Vu Ngoc Diep, 11, Nguyen Minh Quan, 11, and Le Nha Uyen, 10 - received Jury Commendations.
Young artist Nguyen Dang Hai Nam receives the De Men Aspirations award.
Journalist Nguyen Thien Thuat, editor-in-chief of The Thao va Van Hoa newspaper and head of the organizing committee, presents flowers and a certificate to researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu, Inspiration Ambassador of the De Men Children’s Awards.
Organizers said the seventh season demonstrated how the creative range of Vietnamese children’s arts is expanding across literature, painting, comics, animation, musicals and multi-platform creative models in the digital age.
This year, the De Men Children’s Awards also selected 106-year-old researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu as its Inspiration Ambassador. Organizers said the image of a centenarian scholar still tirelessly reading, researching and writing books carries a meaningful message about lifelong learning and creativity for younger generations.
Alongside the awards ceremony, the charity program Vi Mai Truong Cho Em (For Your School), launched by The Thao va Van Hoa newspaper in 2022, will continue. So far, the initiative has completed five school projects in disadvantaged localities including Son La, Nghe An, Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai, helping spread the humanitarian spirit pursued by the De Men Children’s Awards.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
