Ray Kuschert, an Australian teacher, has won first prize in Ho Chi Minh City's Thanh pho cua toi (My City) writing contest for his piece titled 'Why I chose Ho Chi Minh City to live,' which was renamed as 'Thank you for letting me into your heart'.

The contest, organized by the Phu Nu Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (Ho Chi Minh City Women) newspaper in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, was launched in October 2023 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the  Reunification Day (April 30).

It attracted over 1,000 entries from both domestic and international participants.

At the award ceremony on Friday, Ly Viet Trung, the newspaper's editor-in-chief and head of the contest's organizing board, highlighted the organizers' intent to capture the voices of local inhabitants – both native-born and those who have adopted it as their second home. 

Regarding Kuschert's winning piece, Trung remarked, "The work carries significant values."

She noted that the author's father was an Australian soldier who participated in the Vietnam War, and now the author has become a son of Vietnam.

"It's a meaningful story," Trung added.​

The Vietnamese title of the story originates from the concluding sentence of Kuschert's original English version: "Thank you Ho Chi Minh City, for what you have given to me, what you have become and for letting me into your heart."​

Residing in Binh Thanh District, Ray Kuschert is an English teacher and a contributor to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. He is married to a Vietnamese woman and has been living and working in the city for over 10 years.​

Ray Kuschert (R, 1st) attends an exchange session during the award ceremony for the Thanh pho cua toi (My city) writing contest in Ho Chi Minh City, March 28, 2025. Photo: Hoang Le / Tuoi Tre

In his essay, Kuschert reflects on his profound connection to the city: "Some do it for love, others it was just by chance, but for me, choosing Ho Chi Minh City to live was the most purposeful and lifelong dream anyone could imagine." 

He further shares, "I am from Australia and most of my 50-something years on this earth carried a dream to find a real home. This is a story of how I found Ho Chi Minh City my real home."​

Kuschert recounts that in June 1965, a young Australian man – his father – arrived in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) to begin a year of active service.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kuschert's life became intertwined with the city's legacy. He writes, "The result of the whispers, slurs, and throwaway comments was that a young boy found a complex relationship with this city, that was still referred to as Saigon, at a very young age."

Through various experiences exploring Ho Chi Minh City, he has developed a deep affection for the place. "I am now married and I have achieved so many great things that went far beyond my dreams," he writes.

In addition, the contest awarded two second-place works, three third-place works, and ten consolation prizes. 

Editor-in-chief Trung noted that while only 15 prizes were awarded, every author deserves appreciation for preserving memories, spreading the city's beauty, and inspiring its future.

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