[caption id="attachment_11989" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Bao Ninh"][/caption]

Nikkei Inc. has announced the winners of the 2011 Nikkei Asia Prizes, which recognize achievements that contribute to the improved well-being of Asian people. Culture prize goes to Vietnamese novelist Bao Ninh.

Bao Ninh, 58, Vietnamese novelist, won the culture prize. He authored the novel "The Sorrow of War," a story based on his military service experience. He popularized Doi Moi (renovation) literature both at home and abroad.

Ninh, 58, is the first Vietnamese writer to be honoured at the Nikkei Asia Prizes.

Read more about Bao Ninh.

The Nikkei Asia Prize was also awarded in categories of regional growth and science and technology.

Check out the previous winners of the Nikkei Culture Prize.

Launched by Nikkei Inc. in 1996, the awards programme honours people in Asia who have made significant contributions in three areas: regional growth; science, technology and innovation; and culture.

The prizes target individuals and groups in northeastern, southeastern, southern and central Asia, excluding Japan. The selection committee is chaired by Shoichiro Toyoda, honorary chairman of Nippon Keidanren.