An awards ceremony and exhibition of the Vietnam Photo Expression 2020 contest got underway in Hanoi on November 25, with the event running with the theme of “Showing we care, Sharing our vision on Culture Diversity”. 

The occasion was jointly held by UNESCO in partnership with the German Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam Today Magazine, the publication for the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, and TOONG, the first chain of co-working spaces to flourish in the Indochina region.

The photo exhibition is being held with the aim of highlighting the beauty of various aspects of cultural heritage and cultural creativity nationwide.

Individuals were invited to submit a maximum of five photos each that have been taken in the country in various categories, such as heritage sites and monuments, cultural transmission from generation to generation, arts and creativity, and harmony of people and nature.

Applicants were encouraged to consider the core principles of the UN with regard to aspects including cultural sensitivity, diversity, gender equality, human rights, and environment sustainability.

The awards ceremony and exhibition involved the participation of Pham Thi Thanh Huong, programme specialist and chief culture unit at UNESCO’s Hanoi Office, Dr. Guido Hildner, German Ambassador to Vietnam, and Nguyen Hung Son, deputy editor-in-chief of the Vietnam Today Magazine.

The winners of the various categories will receive awards equivalent to US$1,000, while organisers will also present a total of 10 consolation prizes valued at VND5 million (approx. US$22). In addition, the ceremony will see participations share stories behind the competition’s leading photos.

The winners will have their photos exhibited at relevant key UNESCO events and functions. They will also have their photos published in relevant UNESCO outlets in Vietnam with full credit being given to the author.

The exhibition is scheduled to last from November 25 to December 2.