These annual prizes are amongst Việt Nam’s highest honours, awarded in honour of outstanding scientific and cultural achievements. Two types of prize are defined by the Decree on Hồ Chí Minh Prize and State Prizes, which was issued on 30 May 1985 by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and released by the Chairman of the State Council in Order 16/LCT/ HDNN of 4 June 1985. These are: (i) the Hồ Chí Minh Prizes for Science and Technology and for Literature and Arts (awarded for a single work or a cluster of works); and (ii) the State Prizes for Science and Technology and for Literature and Arts (also awarded for a single work or a cluster of works). Prizewinners are selected by a professional Prize Selection Committee which comprises representatives from the various literature and arts associations. This Committee selects and nominates the most outstanding works of arts or a cluster of works and presents them to the Central Prize Selection Committee for consideration and selection at Ministerial level. The Central Prize Selection Committee subsequently submis its nominees to the Prime Minister. After consideration, the Prime Minister submits the nominees to the President for official approval. In the cultural field the prize is offered each year to over 40 artists across the country who have made a pre-eminent and exemplary contribution to the nation’s ideology and culture, lauding their contributions to improving both the spiritual life and economic development of the Vietnamese people.