The New Zealand Embassy has named the winner of a logo design competition organized to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the kiwi country.

A logo designed by Tran Giang Nam claimed the first prize with an award of VND20 million (US$941).

The contest, whose awards ceremony was held on Thursday, attracted more than 500 entries.

The New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, Haike Manning, highly appreciated the winning design, which he said is inspired by the Maori community’s “Hongi” greeting ritual in New Zealand.

“We believe the official logo is a successful expression of the friendship between New Zealand and Vietnam. The winning logo is inspired by the ‘Hongi,’ the traditional greeting style of New Zealand's Māori community,” Ambassador Manning was quoted as saying on the website of the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi. “The Hongi involves the touching of two noses, clearly seen in Nam’s design, and symbolizes the sharing of one’s life force through exchange of breath.”

“We thought this was an excellent reflection of the relationship between our two countries, with its warm friendship and cooperation, and long-term commitment. The official logo is also the modern symbol of Vietnam’s beautiful lotus, and the combination of the flags of our two countries,” the ambassador added.

This official logo will be used as a core part of the branding for the events and activities to mark the important milestone of 40 years of bilateral relations next year, he was cited as saying on the website.

The two countries forged their diplomatic ties in June 1975.

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