By imagining herself as the ocean and writing a heartfelt letter to director James Cameron about the devastation it is facing, Pham Doan Minh Khue has won first prize in the 2025 UPU International Letter-Writing Competition.

Speaking with VietNamNet, Minh Khue said it took her about a month to complete her letter. When she received the result, she was both surprised and overjoyed to have won the top prize among millions of submissions.

This year’s theme was: “Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should care for and protect you.”

In her letter, Minh Khue took on the voice of the Atlantic Ocean, addressing famed director James Cameron - known for cinematic masterpieces such as Titanic (1997), The Abyss (1989), and Avatar (2009). Titanic earned him Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Editing, while Avatar garnered multiple nominations and global acclaim with its groundbreaking 3D visuals.

The Atlantic speaks of the pain caused by humanity, describing a heart that is “on the verge of stopping.” It pleads with the director to create a film that will awaken the world’s conscience.

“I need a film that tells the truth - our story: I am dying, and if I die, humanity ends too! I want the film to be titled The Ocean’s Plea. It should be a call to action, a test of whether humanity still has enough love left for this planet.”

Minh Khue shared that she hopes her letter will spread the message of ocean conservation and spark environmental awareness among today’s youth.

Following her national victory, her letter was translated into French and submitted to the Universal Postal Union in Switzerland for the international round.

In addition to her talent for writing, Minh Khue is passionate about history. She was the top scorer in History for the entrance exam to Le Quy Don High School and is a member of the school’s History team competing in the 2025 regional contest for gifted high schools in Vietnam’s coastal and northern delta regions.

Thuy Nga