HÀ NỘI — A photo collection by Hoàng Thạch Vân vividly featuring the colourful Wa-ha ritual of the ethnic Chăm Bà Ni people in the south-central region has won the Special Award of the Heritage Photographic Contest.

Organised by the inflight magazine Heritage, the contest also granted another Special Award for the solo photo Hương Tết (The Scent of the Lunar New Year Festival) by Lê Việt Khánh. The photo, which depicts Vietnamese people wrapping their bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) for the Lunar New Year Featival, has been hailed for its meaning and perfect concept. It will also be used as a cover photo of the Heritage magazine.

The first prizes were given to the collection Cây Cột Thiêng Của Người Cơ Tu (The Holy Pillar of Ethnic Cơ Tu People) by Trần Tấn Vịnh, and the solo photo Nắng Sớm Làng Chài (Morning Sun in Fishing Village) by Nguyễn Phước Hoài.  

The organiser has also awarded prizes to the top five of both categories – collection and solo photo.

The prize, which is voted on by the public, was given to the collection Làng Ngũ Xã Nghề Xưa Ngày Mới (Ngũ Xã Village – Traditional Craft in Nowadays) by Nguyễn Phú Đức and the solo photo Bên Giếng Quê (By the Village’s Well) by Đinh Bảo Khánh.

Photographer Trần Tấn Vịnh has grabbed a prize given by sponsor Leica.

The annual awards, launched since 2013, draw hundreds of photographers to participate. Every year, the organiser also organises different trips with diversified routes for contestants to take photos.

In 2018, the organiser hosted three trips to the southern region of Laos, the Pù Luông Nature Reserve in the central province of Thanh Hóa, and to the southwest region of Việt Nam.

An on-going exhibition, entitled Journey of Heritage 2018, displays all the prize-winning photos, together with other 30 selected photos. The exhibition is taking place at Exhibition House 29 Hàng Bài Street until October 31. — VNS