The Vietnam Discovery photo contest exhibition held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism highlighted the country’s best landscapes and cuisine to viewers on January 6.

The contest is part of the tourism promotion programme held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition. The contest is intended to promote the undiscovered beauty of Vietnam to visitors, from lesser-known landscapes to cultural features or cuisine.

Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said, "The photos on display show some unique aspect of the country, people, lifestyle and culture."

4,000 works by 962 photographers from across the country were submitted during the two-month contest. The judges selected 100 most outstanding photos from 11 artists to display.

The first prize went to Coral Reef Discovery and Protection by Pham Van Thanh. "I want to tell everyone that we should protect the environment, especially the seas, to fight against climate change," Thanh said.

Coral Reef Discovery and Protection

The second places went to Trang An Festival by Tran Bao Hoa and Trying to Make Rice Crackers by Pham Huy Dang.

Trang An Festival

Trying to Make Rice Crackers

On Homeland River by Dang Ke Cuong, Researching by Ngo Duc Can and Sea Flower by Vu Ngoc Hoang were given third places.

On Homeland River

Researching

Sea Flower

The exhibition will run until January 11 at Centre for Fine Arts and Photography, 29 Hang Bai Street, Hanoi.

Night in Ha Long Bay by Le Viet Khanh

Dirt Ball Wrestling Contest by Duong Duy Khang

Tan Lap, the floating eco-tourism village by Tran Thi Kieu Oanh