The ceremony, held by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), the Vietnam News Agency and the Vietnam Journalists Association, was also a chance for photographers to meet previous winners of the Ho Chi Minh Awards and the State Awards for Culture and Arts, which recognise lifetime achievements.

At the ceremony, officials praised the contributions of the photographers, including renowned masters such as Vo An Ninh, Vu Nang An, Nguyen Ba Khoan and Dinh Dang Dinh.

On this occasion, the photographers received for the first time the titles “Photographic Artists who have Excellent Contributions.”

The photos that took home awards highlighted important historical moments, said VAPA Chairman Chu Chi Thanh who called the shots “authentic photographic masterpieces.”

The Ho Chi Minh Awards and the State Awards for Culture and Arts have been presented for three times since 1996. A total of five Ho Chi Minh awards and 19 State honours were doled out to photographers.

Photographers from the Vietnam News Agency received 11 awards, including one Ho Chi Minh Award and 10 State Awards.