Pham Quoc Trang (C) receives the Hoa Mai Prize in HCM City yesterday (Wednesday) after winning the annual furniture design contest organised by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City. — VNS Photo Xuan Huong.

Pham Quoc Trang has won the Hoa Mai Prize for furniture design in the annual contest organised by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (Hanwa).

The HCM City-based freelance designer said his Oblique Collection is inspired by the texture trend.

Nguyen Hoang Nam and Nguyen Duc Huynh won the first and second runner-up prizes for their works titled Swing Armchair and Boat Desk.

The association also awards five consolation prizes to designs with the best functionality, marketability, aesthetics, creativity and uniqueness, and environment friendliness.

The winning works are on display at the four-day Viet Nam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair that opened on March 8 at the Sai Gon Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organised since 2002, the contest seeks to unearth new design talents for the furniture industry.

According to Hawa, many young designers who have taken part in the competition have since contributed significantly to the industry.

This year the competition attracted 251 entries from design schools, universities, furniture companies and freelance designers nationwide, and was sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council and some Hawa member companies. — VNS