Two of the best: Designs by Nguyen Thuy Lien and Ly Tran Khanh Viet. — Photo courtesy of Department of Exhibition, Photography and Fine Arts

HA NOI (VNS)— Three Vietnamese designers were awarded the top prize in a souvenir design contest sponsored by the Department of Exhibition Photography and Fine Arts yesterday.

The winning designs, by Nguyen Thuy Lien, Nguyen Huong Ly and Ly Tran Khanh Viet, feature elements of Vietnamese traditional culture and history.

Lien designed a bronze drum depicting the Temple of Literature. The design will be used for diplomatic purposes at the State level, according to Vi Kien Thanh, head of the department.

Viet drew inspiration from the curved line of the lotus petal for his xich lo design, which he intends to make from rattan or soft metal.

Ly will make rectangular silver jewellery with images of Vietnamese maps and lotuses.

The contest, which received 50 entries, was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with the goal of promoting tourism development in Viet Nam by offering high quality souvenirs.

The winners will each receive a cash prize of VND10,000. — VNS