2017 UPU letter-writing contest launches in Hai Duong

Millions of youth all over the globe, up to age 15, have participated in the annual International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People at the national and international levels since it began in 1971.

The contest is an excellent way of encouraging literacy in children. It develops their skills in writing composition and their ability to express thoughts clearly on paper. The competition also makes them aware of the important role postal services play in the world.

How does it work?

Each year, the UPU International Bureau announces a theme. Participating countries then organize the competition at the national level with support from its Post and local education authorities.

All entries must be submitted through the national Post. Each country chooses a national winner and submits this entry to the international round, held by the UPU. An international jury, chosen by the UPU International Bureau, judges the letters and selects the winners and entries worthy of a special mention.

2017 Theme

The theme selected for the 2017 competition is – Imagine you are an advisor to the new UN Secretary-General; which world issue would you help him tackle first and how would you advise him to solve it?

The topic was chosen to celebrate the election of the new UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, who will take office in 2017. Children are encouraged to use their imagination as they write to the Secretary-General envisioning a positive change they would like to see in the world.

All member countries are invited to participate by organizing a competition on the national level before sending their top composition to the UPU. Each country's best letter must be submitted to the International Bureau no later than 5 May 2017.

Established in 1874, the UPU, with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is the second oldest international organization worldwide.

With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

On the occasion, a certificate of merit and cash award of US$1,500 was presented to Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, a ninth grader at the Nguyen Trai secondary school in Hai Duong who won the first prize at both the national and international rounds in last year’s competition.

She is the second student to win first prize. The first was Ho Thi Hieu Hien, a student from the central city of Da Nang, who won in 2010. Vietnamese students have won a total of 12 prizes, with two first prizes, one second, three third and six consolidation prizes.