Cutting across barriers: Little friends, a photo by Hoàng Ngọc Thạch.

Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — The beauty of Việt Nam, from the coastal region to the highlands, is portrayed in photos displayed at the exhibition Việt Nam Today.

Officially launched yesterday, the exhibition is a result of a contest organised by the Việt Nam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT) and Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists.

Nature’s art: A tourist joined a buffalo painting festival in Hà Nam Province. The photo was taken by Lê Ngọc Huy

The contest was held with the aim to gather photos to promote national tourism and encourage photographic artists to discover the country’s beauty.

It started last December. After six months, the organising board received nearly 5,500 entries including coloured and monochrome photos.

Of those submissions, the 11 best photos were selected and awarded prizes, and nearly 100 entries went on display at the exhibition. Back to Origin, a photo by Nguyễn Trang Kim Cương, received the top prize.

Sharing history: Back to Origin, a photo by Nguyễn Trang Kim Cương, received the top prize in a contest organised by the Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism.

The photos cover several topics, including destinations, historical relics, cultural activities, traditional handicrafts and the exchange between locals and tourists.

The photos all demonstrate high quality, effort and creativity, said Hà Văn Siêu, deputy director general of the VNAT.

Smiling eyes: A Dao mother, taken by Vũ Mạnh Cường.

Full speed ahead: Boat racing in Lan Hạ Bay, a photo by Vũ Thành Chung.

“The photos depict the beauty of our people, culture and landscape seen through various angles of the photographers,” said Siêu.

The photographers put Vietnamese tourism in the spotlight and depict the unforgettable moments tourists experience when they travel to Việt Nam. In these photos, foreigners not only enjoy the pulchritude of nature, but also participate in locals’ daily lives and cultural activities.

The exhibition of photos selected from the contest will run until Saturday at the Exhibition House, 29 Hàng Bài Street, Hà Nội. — VNS