Colors of Vietnam on the shores of Nha Trang Bay

200 outstanding works selected from the 2026 Vietnam Art Photo Contest are on display at Nha Trang seaside park from October 20 to 29. Visiting the exhibition, the public can admire the vibrant colors of the country, showcasing its beautiful nature, rich cultural identity, and dynamic economy.

On the morning of October 20, in Nha Trang Ward, the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in coordination with the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists held the opening ceremony of the exhibition and the award ceremony for the 2026 Vietnam Art Photo Contest. Attending the event were comrades: Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Long Bien - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions, the Department of Culture and Arts (Central Propaganda Department), the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, along with numerous photographic artists across the country.

Honoring aesthetic and humanistic values

Established in 2000, the Vietnam art photo contest and exhibition has become a meaningful artistic event. Held biennially, the event contributes to fostering a professional, healthy creative environment, while discovering and honoring works rich in aesthetic and humanistic values.

In this year's contest, the organizing committee received 9,291 works (7,756 single photos and 1,535 photo series) from 1,263 authors across 34 provinces and cities. From these, the organizers selected 200 works by 166 authors, including 156 single photos and 44 photo series, for display at Nha Trang seaside park.

Delivering the opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong emphasized that the award-winning and exhibited works are rich in themes and diverse in approaches and modes of expression, demonstrating ideological and artistic values as well as the artists' creativity. Through an expressive photographic language, the works vividly and authentically reflect the beauty of the nation's people, culture, and nature... They are not merely the results of a contest, but also slices of life captured by artists through their love, observation, and unique perceptions. The Deputy Minister also expressed hope that the Vietnam Art Photography Contest and Exhibition would continue to receive keen interest from the general public and greater participation from photography artists. This will serve as a forum connecting the Vietnamese photography community, where new ideas and perspectives are showcased, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam's country and people and fostering the development of the nation's cultural industry.

​​​​​Telling the nation's story through every frame

Stepping into the exhibition space, visitors feel as if they are journeying along the length of the country. The journey begins with spring atop Lung Cung peak (Lao Cai) and a new day over Bac Son valley (Lang Son). Viewers wander through the scenic landscape of Tam Coc - Bich Dong (Ninh Binh), immerse themselves in the cultural flow of Kinh Bac (Bac Ninh), then arrive at contemplative Hue, shimmering and colorful Nha Trang, and dynamic Ho Chi Minh City. Along that journey, cultural wellsprings emerge in every frame. They showcase the custom of worshiping the Hung Kings in the ancestral land of Phu Tho; the story of the brocade weaving craft in Lung Tam (Tuyen Quang) passed down through generations, where artisans infuse into every fabric pattern stories of the land and its people. Viewers also encounter the undulating rhythm of ca tru clappers and the Ramuwan festival of the Cham people in Khanh Hoa.

Interspersed among those images is the rhythm of simple, everyday life. There is the innocent face of a child during the ripe persimmon season; the radiant smile of fishermen after a bumper catch; and the diligent figure of a farmer sowing seeds in the field. There are quiet stories that touch the heart, such as the faith in the sacred forest of the Co Tu people amidst the vast Truong Son mountains. There are also stories of willpower and vitality: the valiant spirit of Vietnamese athletes on their journey to conquer the Southeast Asian championship, and the tireless efforts of the medical team at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, where fragile lives are revived.

Photographic artists have also devoted great effort and passion to recording the nation's major events. Many viewers were deeply moved by images capturing the heroic atmosphere of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification; the marching troops and the teary-eyed gazes of the people during the 80th Anniversary of National Day on September 2; and the brilliant bursts of fireworks celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City being honored to bear the name of Uncle Ho.

Beyond its artistic value, photography is increasingly asserting its role in promoting the country's culture and image. Winning a gold medal with the photo series “Ritual of Offering Banh Chung and Banh Giay in the Worship of Hung Kings”, photographer Nguyen Khac Hao (Hung Yen) shared: “Through this photo collection, I want to promote and honor the heritage of the Hung King worship tradition, sending a message about the need to preserve, protect, and promote the values of Vietnamese culture for generations to come.” According to him, Nha Trang is a major tourism hub, and hosting the exhibition here will attract the interest of both local residents and international tourists, contributing to promoting Vietnamese culture to the world. Also winning a gold medal, photographer Tran Thu An said that out of his love for the beauty of Nha Trang, he spent a week creating the photo series “Colors of Nha Trang”. The collection captures the bay in the morning, at sunset, and at night. These shimmering frames have been warmly received and loved by many viewers.

Right after the opening, the photo exhibition attracted the interest of a large number of local residents and tourists. Many people were delighted to explore stunning frames of today's Vietnam, a country rich in cultural identity yet extremely dynamic. “Through the exhibition, I see that Vietnam has so many beautiful landscapes and unique traditional cultural festivals. I especially like the images of ethnic people in the Northwest highlands, where traditional crafts are still preserved,” shared Do Thi Diem Huong, a student from Khanh Hoa University.