HÀ NỘI — The winners of the environment-themed photo contest launched by the General Department of Environment and Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists were announced on December 19.

The first prize winner went to the photo Tea Farm by Nguyễn Thanh Hải in the central province of Hà Tĩnh and the second prize winners are Laboratory by Nguyễn Văn Mười from the northern province of Phú Thọ and Red-Shanked Douc Langur by Nguyễn Phan Vinh from the central city of Đà Nẵng. 

The contest, open from May to October, themed Khát Vọng Của Thiên Nhiên (Aspiration of Nature), attracted more than 2,600 entries and 19 won prizes.

“The contest aims to strengthen the creativity of the community and reflect the current state of environmental protection work throughout the country through the photographs,” said deputy head of the general department of environment Hoàng Văn Thức.

“The participants helped to give a new perspective on Việt Nam’s environment. This will serve as valuable material for the environment sector’s communication work,” he added.

Phạm Tiến Dũng, editor-in-chief of Việt Nam Photography Magazine, a judge of the contest, said: “The winners are all lively and artful with profound messages about environmental protection, helping to raise awareness about this issue.”

Nguyễn Văn Mười, a second prize winner with his work Laboratory said: “This is a meaningful platform for the photographers. Each photographer must travel to many places to have good shots. It is also a good chance for them to raise the awareness of themselves and the community about environmental protection.”

Nguyễn Phan Vinh, second prize winner with his work featuring the red-shanked douc langur, said he had to travel to Sơn Trà Peninsula, where this species lives, every day to catch the right picture. — VNS