VNVC launched the largest drawing competition “I Draw Vaccination Heroes” in Vietnam

On October 21, 2023, VNVC officially launched the art competition, "I Draw Vaccination HeroES with VNVC – the Heroes Against Viruses, Bacteria, and Infectious Diseases". The launch event featured hundreds of children participating in the competition and witnessing a captivating presentation by Dr. Luong Minh Thang, the only Vietnamese member of the core research team behind the Parti (Pathways Autoregressive Text-to-Image) model at Google Brain.

In recent years, with society's positive and comprehensive development, the holistic education of children encompassing technology, science, ethics, arts, and soft skills has received significant attention. Among these, visual arts, painting, aesthetics, and creative expression through imagery have emerged as a scientific, engaging, accessible, and easily understandable educational method, fostering children's talents, imagination, and creativity.

Aiming to provide a rewarding experience for young artists nationwide while simultaneously raising awareness about the importance of vaccines and immunization for both children and adults, VNVC has organized and officially launched the "I Draw Vaccination Heroes with VNVC - the Heroes Against Viruses, Bacteria, and Infectious Diseases" drawing competition.

The competition launch ceremony was attended by representatives from leading global vaccine manufacturers and pharmaceutical corporations such as MSD, Sanofi, and GSK. The event also welcomed the participation of television reporters and journalists from top news agencies, all present to cover the launch.

In addition to a traditional hands-on painting area, children also witnessed and participated in a demonstration and had an interactive experience with artificial intelligence-powered painting. This demonstration was facilitated by a team of experts led by Dr. Luong Minh Thang, the only Vietnamese member of the core research team for the Parti (Pathways Autoregressive Text-to-Image) model - a model that autonomously converts text to images - at Google Brain in early 2021.

The expert group noted that artificial intelligence (AI) technology currently offers significant support for human artistic creation, specifically citing applications such as theme-based drawing, sketch-based drawing, design, and image restoration.

The launch ceremony was made even more special by the participation of renowned child prodigy artist, Xeo Chu. Xeo Chu is known for numerous famous works exhibited both domestically and internationally. At his second solo exhibition in New York in 2019, his painting “Hang động vịnh Hạ Long” ("Ha Long Bay Cave") was valued at 150,000 USD, propelling Xeo Chu's name onto the international art scene. American art collectors and media have even compared Xeo Chu to the famous American painter Jackson Pollock (1912-1956).

Artist Xeo Chu shared that he was fortunate to have been exposed to and trained in art from a young age. This provided him with numerous opportunities to develop his creativity and talent, as well as integrate into the art world. Xeo Chu hopes that young people will have the same opportunities he had by participating in the painting competition organized by VNVC. He expressed deep gratitude to the VNVC Immunization Center System for creating a platform for young people to showcase their artistic talent and emotions, incorporating health and medical knowledge to produce works that not only possess unique artistic value but also convey beautiful humanitarian messages.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC Immunization Center System, stated: “Every year, worldwide, over 1.5 million people die from dangerous infectious diseases. Sadly, a significant portion of these deaths are attributed to diseases with effective preventative vaccines, such as influenza, pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis, rabies, liver cancer, cervical cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer… However, many people, especially adults, still do not proactively get vaccinated due to a lack of information or awareness of these dangerous diseases and the role vaccines play in prevention”.

Dr. Chinh shared that VNVC is saddened by these statistics and aims to support education and raise public awareness, especially among children - the future of the nation - regarding the importance of immunization and disease prevention. Therefore, VNVC organized the "I Draw Vaccination Heroes with VNVC" competition, officially launching an exciting platform for children who love art.

“Today, I am deeply moved to witness these children, through their drawings and creativity, portraying vaccination heroes in the fight against bacteria, viruses, and dangerous infectious agents. These children are a powerful source of energy and inspiration for us adults, conveying positive messages to society and promoting greater attention to complete immunization, protecting the health of children, ourselves, our families, and society as a whole,” Dr. Chinh added.

Mr. Phan Huy Khoi, Communications Director of VNVC Immunization Center System and representative of the competition organizing team, stated that AI-generated artwork is not permitted in the "I Draw Vaccination Heroes with VNVC" competition. However, the organizing team still wanted to introduce this globally renowned model to allow children to experience and appreciate the boundless creative potential of human beings.

The Judging Panel for the "I Draw Vaccination Heroes with VNVC" Competition includes: Artist Vu Cong Dien, creator of the collection of hundreds of paintings titled "Life and Green Sprouts," displayed in all VNVC centers nationwide. Artist Nguyen Kim Duan, one of Vietnam's most renowned book cover illustrators, a familiar face to generations of Vietnamese students through various student publications. Artist Nam Kha, a talented young artist with many outstanding creative works, currently working at “Muc Tim” Newspaper. Artist Nguyen Thi Hang, an artist from “Thieu nien Tien phong” and “Nhi dong” Newspaper, publications closely associated with many generations of Vietnamese students. Mr. Phan Huy Khoi, Communications Director, VNVC Immunization Center System. And in collaboration with artist Xeo Chu, a young artist known for many famous works exhibited domestically and internationally.

One of the most beloved entries at the launch ceremony, created by 11-year-old Le Nguyen Nguyen Bao, used 2 contrasting colors: orange and dark blue. Black represents death, gradually giving way to the hopeful orange of vaccines; in the young artist's view, vaccines are the "key" to unlocking a bright future and a healthy society.

Nguyen Bao, who fortunately experienced only mild symptoms after contracting COVID-19 twice thanks to vaccination, spent about 3 hours at home sketching and painting a doctor based on his memory. Through the painting, he expresses gratitude to medical workers for their tireless efforts in providing a peaceful life for children.

In the tablet painting area, Huynh Nguyen Phuong Nghi (age 14) displayed a brightly colored artwork featuring a female figure holding up a globe. Phuong Nghi shared that while brainstorming ideas, her entire family researched vaccines and infectious viruses and bacteria. After receiving suggestions from her parents and brother, Nghi decided on the image of a female vaccine hero supporting the Earth. Nghi hopes this artwork conveys her gratitude to the female doctors and nurses who have contributed to combating dangerous infectious diseases worldwide.

PHOTOS: LAUNCH CEREMONY OF "I DRAW VACCINATION HEROES WITH VNVC" CONTEST AT VNVC HOANG VAN THU CENTER (HO CHI MINH CITY)

The "I Draw Vaccination Heroes with VNVC" contest has affirmed the position, stature, and social responsibility of VNVC Immunization Center System, a leading national immunization system. VNVC not only provides safe, high-quality, effective, and cost-effective vaccination services, but also strives to fulfill its mission of comprehensive healthcare for Vietnamese children, physically, mentally, and intellectually. This contributes to building crucial foundations for Vietnamese children to fully integrate into global development, and at the same time helps millions of families create a healthy and sustainable future for their children.

The contest offers a total prize pool of approximately 1.5 billion VND (~63,000 USD), with nearly 5,000 prizes, over 4,000 valuable gifts, and more than 3,000 free vaccines awarded to children. Winning artists can use the contest title and certification for their academic activities and personal awards.

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