The prize was awarded to the HAC group from the Construction and Investment Management Board under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at a ceremony held on October 11 in Hanoi.

The initiative beat over 1,300 entries sent to the contest co-organised by the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper and Toyota Vietnam Company.

Speaking at the ceremony, one of the winners, Doan Tran Duc Hai shared that many detention basins and lakes in Vietnam face lots of problems including pollution, traffic congestion and a lack of parking and public toilets.

"With our initiative, we want to turn those detention basins and lakes into multi-purpose lakes with seven target solutions, including creating roads and parking areas for curbing traffic congestion; developing tours to surrounding communities; building standard water-treatment facilities and public toilets; and bringing financial benefits to operators," Hai explained.

Doan Tran Duc Hai shares about their initiative at the ceremony on October 11.

Hai said that they expected to carry out a pilot project utilising their initiative at the Ngoc Khanh Lake in Hanoi and a lake in Gia Dinh Park in HCM City.

"We believe that our initiative is feasible and can help improve the environment and infrastructure in Hanoi and HCM City, which will contribute to their investment attraction activities."

The first prize winner was awarded VND60 million.

This is the second year the annual contest has been held as part of the Vietnam Traffic Safety Initiative 2023 programme, which aims at seeking initiatives and solutions for current traffic issues including reducing traffic accidents and congestion in Vietnam.

The 2023 contest had two categories that focused on general traffic safety and the use of technology in traffic safety. It addressed traffic congestion, drink-driving, and general traffic order and safety awareness.

There were 10 prizes awarded this year including one first prize, two second prizes, two third prizes, two consolidation prizes, and three Top 10 prizes.