The 55th UPU International Letter-Writing Contest (2026) is organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) with the theme: "Write a letter to a friend, explaining why connection between people is necessary in the digital world".
In Vietnam, the contest is chaired by the Ministry of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Vietnam Writers' Association, Vietnam Post Corporation and Thieu nien Tien phong and Nhi dong Newspaper, organized and implemented nationwide.
The contest was launched on December 19, 2025 in Hanoi and implemented nationwide until March 5, 2026. During the organization period, the contest attracted more than 1.3 million entries from students from provinces and cities across the country. Among them, some localities with outstanding quantity and quality of entries include Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang...
The theme of this year's competition reflects an important shift in global thinking: from "technology connection" to "human connection through technology". This is also a problem directly related to today's generation of students - citizens who grew up with the internet, social networks and artificial intelligence, and are also the force shaping connection standards in the future.
Based on the results of the judging, the Organizing Committee has determined the prize structure including 1 First Prize, 3 Second Prizes, 5 Third Prizes, 30 Consolation Prizes, 61 Promising Pen Prizes, 10 Idea Source Prizes, and 10 Collective Prizes. Some prize levels have been adjusted to increase compared to previous years, in order to better recognize and encourage the efforts of students. At the same time, implementing new orientations in emulation and commendation work, students who win First, Second, and Third prizes at national levels will be awarded Certificates of Merit and the "Creative Youth" Badge of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
The first prize of the 55th UPU International Letter Writing Contest of Vietnam belonged to Tran Chi Cuong, class 9D, Binh Han Secondary School, Thanh Dong ward, Hai Phong city.
The letter impressed the judges when telling the story between robot Buddy (supporting autistic children) and robot Jibo (care for the elderly) in the context that family members are increasingly busy and have little time for each other. Robots gradually become a familiar part, and through interaction with humans, they not only support but also form "empathy" for human emotions.
From there, the letter sends a message: technology does not replace human relationships, but reminds that behind each device, each screen is always a person who needs to be listened to and understood. The article has now been translated into French to be submitted to the international competition at the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
With the tradition of active participation and many international achievements in recent years, the Organizing Committee expects Vietnam's entries to continue to achieve high results, thereby contributing to affirming the voice of Vietnamese youth at international forums.
