The 29^th edition of the South Central Region and Highlands Artistic Photography Festival 2024 officially kicked off at Da Nang’s APEC Sculpture Park on Friday.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Council Nguyen Thi Anh Thi (left) and President of the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists Tran Thi Thu Dong presenting the first prize to Nguyen Ngoc Hoa from Gia Lai province for his set of photos entitled ‘Vietnamese Coffee’. Photo: X.D

This is the third time Da Nang has hosted the festival which aims at creating a playground for professional and amateur photographers from 10 provinces and cities in the south central and central highlands regions, namely Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai.

Themed "Country and People of the South Central and Central Highlands regions", this year’s festival received a total of 2,032 entries (166 sets of photos and 1,866 single photos) from 277 entrants.

President of the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists Tran Thi Thu Dong (middle) awarding a medal for the cause of photography to Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong (2nd, left) and delegates. Photo: X.D

After many preliminary rounds, 41 sets of photos and 121 single photos, captured by 104 photographers, were selected to display at the park from now until May 2.

The jury selected 15 excellent works to award prizes. In particular, the gold medal of the festival was awarded to photographer Nguyen Ngoc Hoa from Gia Lai Province for his set of photos entitled ‘Vietnamese Coffee’.

Three Silver medals went to photographer Truong Cong Minh from Da Nang for his set of photos entitled ‘Conquering Dream’, Tran Hung Dao from Binh Dinh Province for his set of photos entitled ‘In the heart of the firestorm’, and Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc from Gia Lai Province for his photo ‘Bamboo roofing protects the roof of a communal house’.

An exhibition featuring outstanding photos at South Central Region and Highlands Artistic Photography Festival 2024 is taking place at Da Nang’s APEC Sculpture Park until May 2.

Also, photographers from Da Nang won 4 Bronze medals and Consolation prizes for their outstanding photos. They were Nguyen Anh Cuong with ‘Performances of Coracles’, Huynh Van Truyen with ‘Stars on the Truong Sa Islands’, Nguyen Duc Hoang with ‘The art of Ancient Tuong Singing’, and Nguyen Thanh Hiep with ‘Ba Na Hills - a Fairyland on the Earth’.

In addition, the organisers presented ‘Teamwork’ Awards to the Unions of Literary and Arts Associations in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Gia Lai.

Besides, prizes were given to top 6 most excellent works in the marathon photo contest themed "Da Nang’s festival season".

Specifically, photographer Phan Cong Chanh from Quang Nam Province took the first prize with his photo ‘Sparkling Marble Mountains’. Two second prizes went to ‘Understanding and Loving’ by Pham Thi Thanh Thuy from Da Nang, and ‘Releasing Flower Lanterns to Pray for Peace’ by Phan Dinh Trung from Binh Dinh Province. Three third prizes were shared by photographers from Da Nang.

Reporting by X.DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG