HÀ NỘI — Photojournalist Phạm Bằng’s two days with locals and soldiers repairing the damage caused by Typhoon Nida in Bát Xát District in northern Lào Cai Province., left him feeling emotional, with the memories of those days playing on his mind.

Titled "After the Flood," the journalist’s collection of photos of the disaster asite in August won gold medal at the journalism photography contest, titled Khoảnh Khắc Vàng (Golden Moment).

The award ceremony took place this morning at the headquarters of the Vietnam News Agency.

In the two months since the contest was launched, the organiser received 6,343 photos sent by entrants nationwide.

Bằng received the highest prize in the category of photo collections. In the single photo category, no entry met the criteria to win the gold medal. Phạm Hoài Nam from Hà Nội and Kiều Anh Dũng won silver medals for their photos of Tây Khe Sim Mine Tunnel, Cẩm Phả, Quảng Ninh and Selfie at Colour Me Run, respectively.

Bát Xát District is 24km away from Lào Cai City. Bằng rode a motorbike for the first 12km and travelled by boat and walked the rest of way. 

Typhoon Nida brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to northern Việt Nam. Eleven people were killed or went missing in floods in Lào Cai Province. Bát Xát District was severely affected. The flood washed away the bridge to Sủng Hoảng Village, leaving 16 households isolated.

Photojournalist Bằng joined a group of authorities who tried to reach the Sủng Hoảng villagers. He clicked pictures and immediately sent them to the Lào Cai Newspaper to report the aftermath of the typhoon.

“During those two days, I witnessed firsthand the difficulties the local faced and could especially sense their loss,” Bằng said.

“The photo I will remember forever is the one of Tẩn A Mẩy, who lost three members of her family, it was very touching.”

The fourth Golden Moments contest was co-organised by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA).

A large number of journalists, reporters, and photographers from around the country and overseas gathered to present their points of view while reflecting on all aspects of politics, economics, culture and society, as well as science, technology, sports and other burning issues, Nguyễn Hoài Dương, deputy general director of the VNA, said.

“The contest offers us a chance to look back and highlight events that took place in the year,” he said. “It also honours the contribution of the journalists who portray truthfully and steadily the events to the readers.”

Vũ Quốc Khánh, chairman of VAPA and a member of the judging panel, said the contest comprised photos that influence society.

“The entries are of high quality, reflecting significant events that hit the headlines, such as the Formosa case and Hoàng Xuân Vinh’s success. However, there are some photos which had to be ruled out because the photographers retouched the photos, which is not allowed in photojournalism.”

Some 71 outstanding photos are on display at the Vietnam News Agency headquarters on 5 Lý Thường Kiệt Street in Hà Nội. — VNS