VietNamNet Bridge – A book on the traditional rituals of the Muong ethnic group was announced as one of the winners at the Viet Nam Book Awards 2016 during the award ceremony yesterday in Ha Noi.

A book on the life and career of writer Vu Hanh. — VNS Photos Minh Thu

Entitled Dien Xuong Nghi Le - Di San Van Hoa Dac Sac Cua Dan Toc Muong (Rituals Performance – The Unique Cultural Heritage of Muong Group), the book by Bui Thien and Ha Ly is considered an encyclopedia of the Muong’s traditional culture.

Apart from the book, the category of Best Book Content included three other winners including Vietnamese National Drug Formulary published by the Science and Technology Publishing House, a 12-volume collection of children’s stories written by Vu Hung and distributed by Kim Dong Publishing House, and a collection of best works by revolutionary writer Vu Hanh (who was born in 1926).

In the Best Book Layout category, the winners include Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu) by Tre (Youth) Publishing House), Vietnamese Bronze Drums Art and Historical Values – a research piece by the National Museum of History, Anh Duc – Song Va Viet (a book on writer Anh Duc’s life and career) by HCM City Culture and Arts Publishing House, and a collection of Vietnamese fairy tales by Tre (Youth) Publishing House.

Vuon Chim (Birds’ Garden), one among a collection of 12 books written by Vu Hung.

The Viet Nam Publishing Association has hosted the awards for 12 years with the aim of honouring the work of publication agencies and promoting reading culture, according to Nguyen Kiem, vice president of the association.

This year, the organiser received 486 entries for two categories sent by 40 publishing houses nationwide. They vary in genres including children’s books, literature, science and technology, social science and humanities, politics, and arts.

Seventy-four books were honoured. Gold, silver, bronze and special prizes were awarded, along with a few honourable mentions.

VNS