Tribute: Ha Noi researcher Vu Tuan San (centre) receives a bouquet of flowers from Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc (right), vice chairwoman of Ha Noi People's Committee, and Nguyen Duc Loi , general director of the Vietnam News Agency. — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI (VNS) — Veteran researcher Vu Tuan San was awarded the Bui Xuan Phai Grand Prize yesterday for his comprehensive work on the capital city.

Now 99 years old, San, a Ha Noi-based researcher of Han-Nom (Old Chinese and Chinese-transcribed Vietnamese) is recognised as one of the city's first researchers.

He has authored many books on the historic events and people of Thang Long - Ha Noi. He is also one of the founders of the Ha Noi Folklore Culture and Arts Association.

His recent book Ha Noi Xua Va Nay (Ha Noi Now and Then) has been highly acclaimed by critics and readers alike. The 980-page book compiles 77 pieces on history, geography, relic sites, famous figures, literature, traditional culture and handicraft.

Accepting the Bui Xuan Phai Grand Prize at the award ceremony at the Vietnam News Agency office in Ha Noi, he was awarded VND20 million (approximately US$1,000) and a trophy by Vietnam News Agency's The thao & Van hoa (Sport & Culture) newspaper.

The Bui Xuan Phai – Love for Ha Noi Prize was launched by the Bui Xuan Phai family and the newspaper in 2008. The prize is named after painter Bui Xuan Phai (1920-88), one of the founders of modern art in Viet Nam.

He is known for his paintings of Ha Noi's old quarter, landscapes and young women. His works are displayed in several national and international museums. He was also awarded the highest national accolade, the Ho Chi Minh Prize, posthumously in 1996.

The prize is also awarded to those working across the work, job and ideas categories.

Two books Song Xua Pho Cu (Old Iron Works on Old Streets) and Ha Noi Mot Chon Rong Choi (Ha Noi Promenade) by artist Tran Hau Yen The and Martin Rama were given the Work Award.

The book Old Iron Works on Old Streets, by artist The, is a result of 15 years meticulous research on Ha Noi's ironwork heritage. His work records the elegant beauty of ornamental motifs on the wrought iron railings, balconies, gates and windows of Ha Noi.

From Uruguay, Matin Rama is an expert working with the World Bank Viet Nam. The pictorial features hundreds of photos of Ha Noi streets, architecture and people, which he took himself.

French history professor Emmanuel Poisson and Vietnamese overseas ethnologist Dinh Trong Hieu, collector and organiser of the photo exhibition Colourful Ha Noi, 1914 - 1917 received the Job Award. The exhibition was held in December last year and displayed 60 colour photos of Ha Noi from the 1914-17 period.

The Idea Award went to the Ashui.com + Hanoi Lovers group for the project Ha Noi Fly – Ha Noi, Nhung Goc Nhin Tu Khong Trung (Ha Noi Fly – Ha Noi from Above).

"The Bui Xuan Phai Prize - Love for Ha Noi award ceremony will kick off a series of culture events to celebrate the 60th Ha Noi Capital Liberation Day falling on October 10," said Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, deputy-chairwoman of Ha Noi People's Committee at the awarding ceremony yesterday.

"It becomes a festive day for Hanoians. The prize is meaningful to honour people who are working quietly for their great love of Ha Noi". — VNS