HÀ NỘI — A vertical photo depicting a papaya tree rising from a narrow gap between  residential buildings in HCM City, taken by Trần Vũ Quang Duy, won first prize at a photo contest for young Vietnamese artists.

Titled Tư Duy Trẻ, Góc Nhìn Trẻ (Young Thoughts, Young Views), the contest is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism every two years. The first iteration took place in 2015.

During the three-month submission period, the organisers received more than 3,200 entries from 658 photographers between ages 18 and 35. After an initial round in which submissions were evaluated online, a jury of seven evaluated 180 finalists. The winning photo, titled Mầm Sống (Living Sprout), won the unanimous support of the jury members The winner walked away with VNĐ30 million (US$1,300) in cash.

 “It’s really different from traditional angle that photographers have held,” veteran photographer and jury Nguyễn Việt Thanh, said of the first-prize photo. “It illustrates a desire for green colour in the middle of a busy city. It reflects the fact that we lack public green space for relaxation. It’s also beautiful in terms of light and layout.”

Capital art: Foreign visitors at Hà Nội in My Heart 2017 exhibition in the Temple Literature. VNS Photo Minh Tuấn

The jury also awarded two second prizes, four third and 19 encouragement prizes.

 “We were astonished at the young artists’ different views,” said chairman of the jury Mã Thế Anh, deputy head of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition Department of the culture ministry. “They express fresh views on life from the topics selected, the layout and use of light to the content of the photos.”

Life in colour: Sắc Màu Tam Thanh (Colours in Tam Thanh Village) by Lê Trọng Khang won the second prize at the Young Thoughts, Young Views festival.

Deputy Culture Minister Vương Duy Biên said he saw the artful photos expressing in a creative and vivid way messages about the diversity of life experiences in the country today.

“They also provide us a general view and realistic judgement on the activities of young photography fans,” he said, “From that the culture management agencies can better understand, encourage and facilitate them to develop their capabilities.”

Urban nature: Mầm Sống (Living Sprout) by Trần Vũ Quang Duy won the first prize at the Young Thoughts, Young Views festival.

Nguyễn Quang Huy, a photographer from Đà Nẵng, said he greatly appreciated the event.

“I have used my camera just for few months and I need such a festival to sharpen my skills and knowledge of the field,” he said.

The final 180 photos are on display at Exhibition House at 29 Hàng Bài Street until October 16.

New perspective: Bóng Kể (Speaking Shadow) by Nguyễn Quốc Ái won the second prize at the Young Thoughts, Young Views festival.

Exhibition celebrates Hà Nội

Another exhibition aiming to celebrate the Liberation of Hà Nội from French invaders (October 10, 1954) is ongoing at the Temple of Literature in downtown Hà Nôi.

Titled Hà Nội Trong Tôi 2017 (Hà Nội In My Heart 2017), the event gathers 80 photos by 37 members of the Club of Elder Photographers and journalists and correspondents from the Kinh Tế Đô Thị (Urban Economy) newspaper.

Themed “Capital’s Living Rhythm”, the photos at the exhibition are divided into four main subjects: Landscapes, Culture, Life and Handicraft Villages.

This is the 12th annual event by the club and the newspaper to celebrate the liberation of Hà Nội.

It runs until October 13 at 58 Quốc Tử Giám Street. — VNS