Ha Giang's vibrant photos won 2020 photo contest

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Ha Giang tourism photo contest took place since August 2020 and has received 1,595 photos from 256 photographers nationwide. Recently, in the sixth Buckwheat Flower Festival, the contest organizers chose 81 works for exhibition, said Ha Giang government's newspaper.

The province has greeted more than 1.1 million visitors since the beginning of this year. The figure has been continuing to increase over the past several years, marking an encouraging signal for the local hospitality sector, particularly amidst the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Nhan Dan.

Below are distinguished and prized photos in the contest.

Portrait of two traditionally dressed H'mong children won first prize. (Photo: Vn Express)

The portrait of two traditionally dressed H'mong children in Van Chai Commune by Le Viet Khanh won first prize at the contest. "The colorful brocade and innocence of the children urged me to capture this moment. I learned that the meticulousness of the embroidery could indicate the success of H'mong women in nurturing family happiness,” Khanh said.

He also won the third prize with his photo set "Spring in Lao Xa," depicting scenes in the village filled with cherry and plum blossoms.

“The Beauty of Remote Borders” by Pham Hoai Nam. (Photo: VN Express)

“The Beauty of Remote Borders” by Pham Hoai Nam, taken in Lung Tao Commune, Dong Van District, was also awarded first prize.

"When I spotted these ethnic children carrying herbs against the backdrop of majestic mountains, I hurriedly parked my car and reached for my camera," Nam recalled.

Contest jury head Trieu Thi Tinh, deputy director of Ha Giang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the two first prizes displayed a harmony between landscapes and people, which is imbued with the rich culture of the northern province.

“Sacred Lung Cu Flag Tower” by Nguyen Minh Tan. (Photo: VN Express)

The photo set of "Fire Dancing Rituals" by Nguyen Thanh Son. (Photo: Ha Giang Tourism Photo Contest)

The photo set of "Fire Dancing Rituals" by Nguyen Thanh Son won one of the second prizes in the photo contest.

Fire dancing festival is a special cultural activity of the Pa Then ethnic group at Hong Quang commune, Lam Binh district, Tuyen Quang province, showing the spirit of daring to cope with danger, and dispelling diseases. According to the Pa Then people's concept, fire is considered as a supreme god, who is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Normally, the festival is usually held at the end of the year in October to December.

“The Road I Traveled On” by Vu Ngoc Tuan. (Photo: VN Express)

“The Road I Traveled On” by Vu Ngoc Tuan also won second prize. It was taken on the way to Dong Van District at 6 a.m. in March last year.

“Coming to the Highlands”, taken by Phan Quoc Bao. (Photo: VN Express)

“Coming to the Highlands”, taken by Phan Quoc Bao, shows a British tourist conquering the Ma Pi Leng Pass by bicycle.

Ma Pi Leng Pass belongs to Ha Giang province; it is a dangerous road with 20 kilometers in length. Over the Ma Pi Leng, there has a mountain with 2.000 meters in height located on the 'Happiness' road connecting Ha Giang, Dong Van, and Meo Vac town. Ma Pi Leng began building from the 60s of the 20th century by workers who almost are the H'mong. Ma Pi Leng Pass is located in the Dong Van Geoparks which is recognized as the global geoparks. The road along the mountainside has romantic, spectacular scenery that is an ideal destination for tourists, according to Tours in Vietnam.

"Spring in Lao Xa" by Le Viet Khanh (Photo: Ha Giang Tourism Photo Contest)

The photo set of "Spring in Lao Xa" taken by Le Viet Khanh - a photographer from Hanoi won the third prize in Ha Giang Tourism Photo Contest.

The set was highly appreciated as it captured the wild and bold beauty of Lao Xa - a small and remote village in Ha Giang, in the wild cherry blossom season of spring. Though little-known by tourists, Lao Xa has the undeniable charm of a peaceful and untouched mountainous local village.

“A Photo to Remember” by Bui Van Son. (Photo: VN Express)

“A Photo to Remember” by Bui Van Son won third prize. "Vietnam is beautiful everywhere, but Ha Giang always brings a different feeling, with fields of buckwheat flowers stretching across the valley," the author said.

“House with Moss Roof in Khuoi My”, taken by Ngo Chi Thanh. (Photo: VN Express)

Another third prize winner is “House with Moss Roof in Khuoi My”, taken by Ngo Chi Thanh in Khuoi My Village, home to ethnic Dao people.

"The Highland Child”, taken by Nguyen Thi Ly Giang. (Photo: Ha Giang Tourism Photo Contest)

Third prize winner “The Highland Child”, photographed in Ta Su Choong Commune, Hoang Su Phi District, depicts Giang Thi Nu, a H'mong child cuddling her rhizomyinae (a kind of mountain rat). Author Nguyen Thi Ly Giang compared the rocky highland to a love song that keeps you wanting to return.

“Khau Vai Love Market” by Bui Viet Duc. (Photo: VN Express)

Another third prize winner is called “Khau Vai Love Market” by Bui Viet Duc. He took this photo in December last year in Meo Vac District.

“Snub-nosed Langur, the Pride of Ha Giang” by Le Khac Quyet. (Photo: VN Express)

“Snub-nosed Langur, the Pride of Ha Giang” by Le Khac Quyet won third prize. This is a black-haired, white-faced primate that often lives in isolated forests in the high mountains of northern Vietnam. Ha Giang has about 60 individuals in its Khau Ca Nature Reserve.

“Simple Happiness”, Le Hong Duc. (Photo: VN Express)

“Simple Happiness” won the consolation prize. Le Hong Duc took the photo of a H'mong family in Lao Xa Village, Sung La Commune, Dong Van District. "The family is gathered together in a simple life, not noisy, not rich but still full of joy and laughter. That’s simple happiness," Duc said.

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