At the award ceremony held in Hanoi on 24/7, "Silent Riverbank" was one of two stories to receive second prize, the highest award given in the competition. The story follows Thao, a soldier presumed dead who unexpectedly returns home. His wife, after mourning him for three years, has remarried his friend, Tuan. The story explores the characters' pain caused by the war's aftermath, while conveying a message of forgiveness and compassion as a means to overcome hatred.

Author Cao Duy Son commented, "Many writers have successfully tackled the post-war theme, but 'Silent Riverbank' offers a deeply moving approach through its focus on love and humanity. While the writing style isn't groundbreaking, the content and structure are innovative and aesthetically effective. The story has a hopeful ending, with all the sorrowful emotions placed appropriately, allowing readers to vividly grasp the war's cruelty and the enduring power of human connection in its wake."

Author Vu Ngoc Thu at the award ceremony. Photo: Phuong Linh

Author Vu Ngoc Thu at the award ceremony. Photo: Phuong Linh

Having served in the war, Vu Ngoc Thu draws deeply from his experiences when writing about soldiers and wartime. Upon receiving the award, he expressed his intention to write more and continue exploring the complexities and untold stories of the war.

The 81-year-old author, born in Hai Duong province, now Hai Phong City, has published several poetry collections, including "The Passage of Time," "Fallen Leaves," "Sound of Rain," "Burning Moon Season," "Luc Bat Carrying Rain," and "Cactus Without Thorns." He received third prize in the Luc Bat Poetry competition organized by the Military Literature and Arts Magazine in 2010, and second prize in the "Hai Duong Land and People" writing contest in 2016.

Sharing second place was Ngo Tu Ngan's short story "One Hundred Thousand." The story centers on the character Tram Ngan, born from an ill-fated love affair. He grows up ostracized by his family, yearning to meet his mother. While portraying a sad story of various destinies, the work highlights human connection and the desire to find one's roots.

Third prize was awarded to "Nhi Thu" (Ha Dinh Can) and "Distant Land" (Pham Xuan Hung). Six fourth prizes were given to "Broken Mountain" (Lu Hong), "The Kapok Tree at the Afternoon Market" (Cam Thi Dao), "Echo" (Vuong Dinh Khang), "Pond Land" (Dao Quoc Vinh), "The Human Library" (Le Van Than), and "Mindless Flower Wine" (Nhu Binh).

Regarding the absence of a first-place winner, author Cao Duy Son, a member of the final judging panel, explained, "Most authors wrote in a traditional style, lacking innovation, or perhaps it wasn't fully realized." Author Nguyen Binh Phuong, also on the panel, stated that leaving the top spot vacant reflects the high standards of the judges. It also serves as a reminder for authors to strive for greater refinement in their pursuit of excellence in the art of short story writing.

During the two years of the 2022-2024 Van Nghe Newspaper Short Story Contest, the organizers received nearly 2,700 submissions, from which 253 short stories were selected for publication. The authors ranged in age from 10 to over 90, including both established writers and those new to the craft.

According to Nguyen Binh Phuong, most of the submitted works reflected aspects of social life, from universal phenomena to subtle shifts. Many stories contemplated and questioned historical wounds that have yet to be fully addressed. Alongside authors who adhered to traditional writing styles, many demonstrated a spirit of exploration, seeking new forms of expression in their approach, tone, style, and structure.

Phuong Linh