134 out of 995 entries qualified for the final of the National Press Awards 2006 and 48 of them have been selected for the contest’s prizes through secret ballot, said Dinh The Huynh, President of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association.

The competition’s prizes include three As, 11 Bs, 19 Cs, and 15 consolation prizes.

The number of entries this year almost doubles last year’s figure. They are considered to represent the country’s journalism in 2006 with higher quality. However, few of them have made deep impacts on society.
Under a decision by the Prime Minister, this year’s contest for journalists has been extended for the first time to contributors to newspapers and magazines.

The winners will be officially announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for August 27 in Hanoi.