A ceremony was held in Hanoi on September 1 to award winners of the contest, which was co-organized by the Vietnam Photographic Artists’ Association and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The organizing board presented awards to 27 photographers and selected more than 300 photos from nearly 6,000 entries to showcase at an exhibition.

Vu Thi Tinh, a paparazzo from Central Highland Lam Dong province, won the gold medal at the contest with her photo entitled “Nu cuoi moi” (new smile).

Ms Tinh said she took the photo while visiting her friend in Lam Dong hospital and meeting a delegation of international medical workers who provided surgeries on harelip and cleft palate children. Her photo featured a small girl who was smiling with tears of joy after the successful operation.

According to Chairman of Vietnam Photographic Artists’ Association Chu Chi Thanh, who is also head of the jury, most entries expressed the theme of the contest i.e. people’s desire to live a better life.