HA NOI (VNS)— The winners of a competition for young film-makers to produce a public service announcement urging the public not to consume bear bile were announced yesterday by the Education for Nature-Viet Nam (ENV).

An Excellent Message award was granted to Le Hoai Lam for overall messaging and delivery while the People's Choice award went to Dinh Ngoc Thanh, who racked up the most votes online for his short film.

On the same day, pop star My Linh and actress Minh Vuong represented other celebrities to highlight the serious threat that bear farming and the bear bile industry pose to the survival of bears in the wild, both in Viet Nam and the surrounding region.

This year, ENV volunteers in Ha Noi, Ha Long, Hai Phong, Vinh, Da Nang, Hue and HCM City simultaneously hosted public awareness events calling for an end to bear farming in response to the Viet Nam Bear's Day, September 13.

Events will be held annually on September 13 to focus public attention on the issue, and to encourage people not to consume bear bile or other bear products. — VNS