Registration is now open for the 2017-18 Hoa Mai (Apricot Blossom) furniture design competition organised by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City.

Sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council, the competition aims to identify and nurture talented designers and connect them with the wood furniture industry and international designers.

The 15^th annual contest is open to all designers and students interested in wood furniture design, Nguyen Chanh Phuong, Hawa deputy chairman, said.

There will be two rounds: “Design idea” and “Making samples”. The 20 best ideas in the first round will go through to the second round. From then the jury will choose eight designers whose entries meet the contest criteria in terms of applicability and environment-friendliness and commercial, creative and aesthetic values.

The deadline for submitting entries is December 15 and the award ceremony will be held at the 2018 VIFA-EXPO.

Many winning entries from past competition have been bought by woodworking firms and made into products. — VNS