The winners of the environment-themed photo contest launched by the General Department of Environment and Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists were announced on Tuesday.

Natural world: Nguyen Phan Vinh, second prize winner with his work featuring the red-shanked douc langur, said he had to travel to Son Tra Peninsula, where this species lives, every day to catch the right picture.

The first prize winner went to the photo Tea Farm by Nguyen Thanh Hai in Ha Tinh Province and the second prize winners are Laboratory by Nguyen Van Muoi from Phu Tho Province, and Red-Shanked Douc Langur by Nguyen Phan Vinh from Da Nang.

Pages: A photo of people drying textbooks after a flood by Tran Van An won third prize.

The contest, open from May to October, themed Khat Vong Cua Thien Nhien (Aspiration of Nature), attracted more than 2,600 entries and 19 won prizes.

Dirty work: A portrait of an environmental worker by Nguyen Viet Binh won third prize.

“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 Hoang Van Thuc.

Bright light: Second prize winner ’Laboratory’ by Nguyen Van Muoi.

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

Pham Tien Dung, Editor-in-Chief of Viet 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.”

From above: ’Tea Farm’ by Nguyen Thanh Hai won first prize at the photo contest themed Khat Vong Cua Thien Nhien (Aspiration of Nature). — Photos courtesy of Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists

Nguyen Van Muoi, 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.”

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

(Source: VNS)