Vietnamese illustrator Luong Linh wins Nami Concours award in South Korea

Known in Vietnamese as ‘Sai Gon VR360,’ the work blends visual art, contemporary storytelling, and technology, pushing the boundaries of the picture book format in an era of rapidly evolving visual media.

The project earned Linh the Purple Island Award, one of ten prizes in this category at the prestigious competition for children’s book illustrators.

The non-fiction picture book presents Ho Chi Minh City’s iconic landmarks through a 360-degree perspective.

Beyond traditional illustration, it integrates a virtual reality component that allows readers to explore the city’s streets, architecture, and everyday life via a dedicated website and VR headset.

According to Linh, the immersive format enables users to feel as though they are standing inside the city itself, where urban memory, contemporary life, and future visions intersect.

Scheduled for release in 2026, ‘The City in 360’ aims to deliver a multi-sensory illustration experience, engaging readers’ visual and spatial perception alongside narrative imagination.

Linh’s achievement marks a significant personal milestone and underscores the growing international presence of Vietnamese picture book illustrators.

He holds a master’s degree in sequential illustration from the United Kingdom and is considered a leading figure in Vietnam’s contemporary picture book scene.

Linh received a Vietnam National Book Award in 2023 for ‘Ke chuyen tren mat nuoc,’ translated as ‘Telling Stories Above Water.’

His works are widely praised for their humanistic depth, artistic refinement, and continued experimentation with new storytelling forms that bring illustration art closer to a wider range of audiences.

Founded in 2013, the Nami Island International Picture Book Illustration Concours, commonly known as the Nami Concours, is held every two years on Nami Island in South Korea.

The competition promotes artistic innovation and seeks to elevate global standards in picture book illustration.

Open to illustrators worldwide, the concours accepts both traditional and digital submissions.

Each entry must tell a complete story through five to ten illustrations and is judged on artistic quality, narrative strength, and originality.

Awards include the Grand Prix, Golden Island, Green Island, and Purple Island.

Winning and shortlisted works will be exhibited at the Nami Island International Children’s Book Festival and featured in the official competition catalogue.