Since its creation, the Dê Mèn Prize (Cricket), dedicated to children, aims to cover a wide range of creative domains, from literature and visual arts to entertainment, through traditional publishing forms and contemporary digital platforms. – Prix Dê Mèn 2023: writer Trần Duc Tiên receives Grand Prize – Prix Dê Mèn: writer Ly Lan receives Grand Prize – Prix “Dê Mèn” 2025: composer Phạm Tuyên receives Grand Prize Vu Việt Trang, Director General of the Vietnam News Agency (left) and poet Trần Đăng Khoa (second left) award the Grand Prize, named “Hiệp sĩ Dê Mèn,” to musician Phạm Tuyên. Photo: VNA/CVN On March 26, the newspaper Thể Thao & Văn Hóa (Sports & Culture), under the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), officially launched the seventh edition of this prize. In the context of active implementation nationally of Resolution No. 80 of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture, the organizing committee decided, on the occasion of this new edition, to give enhanced significance to the Dê Mèn Prize. Towards a cultural ecosystem for children Beyond simple discovery and valorization of works “by children” and “for children,” this prize has a long-term ambition: to contribute to the emergence of a true cultural and artistic ecosystem for young Vietnamese in the digital age. In this perspective, the focus will be on mechanisms that promote the transformation of primary creations into widely distributed cultural products. The goal is to concretely contribute to the development of the Vietnamese cultural industry, especially in the field of cinema intended for young audiences. This direction is aligned with the priorities of Resolution No. 80, emphasizing the development of key sectors such as cinema, music, fine arts, cultural tourism, design, fashion, traditional craftsmanship, video games, gastronomy, and digital content. The resolution particularly aims by 2030 to create a healthy cultural environment, from family and school to society and the digital space, and to develop literature and art to the level of national cultural heritage and Vietnam’s influence in the new era.
Note: The Dê Mèn Prize is an annual non-profit award for artistic works created by and for children, including a Grand Prize titled “Hiệp sĩ Dê Mèn” (Cricket Knight), as well as other distinctions like “Khat vong Dê Mèn” (Cricket’s Aspiration) and jury prizes.
Creating for childhood in the digital age Launched in 2020 by the newspaper Thể Thao & Văn Hóa, the Dê Mèn Prize is an annual non-profit award for artistic works created by and for children. It includes a Grand Prize, titled “Hiệp sĩ Dê Mèn” (Cricket Knight), as well as other distinctions such as “Khat vong Dê Mèn” (Cricket’s Aspiration) and jury prizes. In six editions, the Grand Prize has been awarded to several major figures, including writer Nguyễn Nhật Anh (2020), writer Trần Duc Tiên (2023), writer Ly Lan (2024), and musician Phạm Tuyên (2025). A thirty “Khat vong Dê Mèn” prizes and multiple jury distinctions have also been awarded to Vietnamese and international artists, including young creators. It is worth noting that the Dê Mèn Prize does not impose any restrictions on the type of submissions. Works can vary across literature, fine arts, music, performing arts, and games. This diversity reflects an approach that considers children as a creative and interdisciplinary audience, contributing to the emergence of a rich and dynamic cultural ecosystem. The regulations are both open and demanding: there is no age limit for candidates, encouraging the participation of both professional and amateur artists, while ensuring a rigorous selection process by a high-level jury. Beyond the award ceremony, Dê Mèn also engages in significant social actions, aiming to disseminate cultural values and promote creativity within the community, particularly by encouraging children to access and actively participate in artistic activities.
Regulations of the Dê Mèn Prize 2026 (7th edition) – All literary and artistic works, as well as manuscripts created, completed, or published between 2025 and 2026 (from January 1, 2025, to April 25, 2026), are eligible. Submission deadline: April 25, 2026, at midnight. – Procedure: – For manuscripts, please send them to the following email address: giaithuongdemen@thethaovanhoa.vn – For printed materials (books, audio/video recordings, etc.), please send 6 copies of each work to: Thể Thao & Văn hóa newspaper, 11 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi. Tel: 0243.828.601. Mobile phone: 0936.140.843. – The closing ceremony and award presentation are scheduled to take place on International Children’s Day (June 1) 2026. By Quốc Anh/CVN
