A collection of photos by Hanoi photojournalist Trinh Thong Thien wonthe first prize in the sixth Vietnam – Country – People photo contest.
Theimages depict a Dao ethnic minority "maturity ceremony" in the northernprovince of Lai Chau. This nine-day ritual marks the moment when ateenaged boy becomes a man.
"We came across the ceremony bychance during a business trip to Lai Chau," the Vietnam Pictorialmagazine photojournalist said. "We had to ask for permission from thehead of the village and the boys' families to take photos during theevent."
Thien took more than 1,000 photos and chose the best nineto enter in the contest. All are original photos without any technicalinterference such as computer processing.
"I'm happy to havegotten the chance to witness and capture on film the most beautifulmoments in local boys' lives," he said. "The ceremony confirms the roleof local men in the community. It's a priceless custom of the group thatneeds to be handed down."
Thien beat more than 790 other photographers, who submitted more than 12,300 entries including 478 groups of photos.
PhotographerKieu Tan from the southern province of Dong Nai sent the most photos(328), followed by Hanoi photographer Hoang Minh (197), according toNguyen Thang, the magazine's editor-in-chief and head of the contestorganising board.
"This was the most comprehensive collection ofphoto contest entries ever in the country. It reflects the best imagesof the country's landscapes, people and cultural customs," said NguyenKhanh, head of the jury.
In addition to the first prize, the jury awarded two second prizes, three third prizes and seven encouragement prizes.
Thecontest was co-organised by Vietnam Pictorial in co-ordination with theVietnam Artistic Photographers Association to celebrate the 60thanniversary of the magazine.
More than 100 photos from this year's contest are on display at the Vietnam News Agency headquarters at 5 Ly Thuong Kiet street.
Theexhibited photos will also be printed in the magazine's English,Chinese, Spanish and Lao print editions, and posted on the magazine'swebsite in Vietnamese, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese,Spanish, Lao and Khmer.-VNA
Theimages depict a Dao ethnic minority "maturity ceremony" in the northernprovince of Lai Chau. This nine-day ritual marks the moment when ateenaged boy becomes a man.
"We came across the ceremony bychance during a business trip to Lai Chau," the Vietnam Pictorialmagazine photojournalist said. "We had to ask for permission from thehead of the village and the boys' families to take photos during theevent."
Thien took more than 1,000 photos and chose the best nineto enter in the contest. All are original photos without any technicalinterference such as computer processing.
"I'm happy to havegotten the chance to witness and capture on film the most beautifulmoments in local boys' lives," he said. "The ceremony confirms the roleof local men in the community. It's a priceless custom of the group thatneeds to be handed down."
Thien beat more than 790 other photographers, who submitted more than 12,300 entries including 478 groups of photos.
PhotographerKieu Tan from the southern province of Dong Nai sent the most photos(328), followed by Hanoi photographer Hoang Minh (197), according toNguyen Thang, the magazine's editor-in-chief and head of the contestorganising board.
"This was the most comprehensive collection ofphoto contest entries ever in the country. It reflects the best imagesof the country's landscapes, people and cultural customs," said NguyenKhanh, head of the jury.
In addition to the first prize, the jury awarded two second prizes, three third prizes and seven encouragement prizes.
Thecontest was co-organised by Vietnam Pictorial in co-ordination with theVietnam Artistic Photographers Association to celebrate the 60thanniversary of the magazine.
More than 100 photos from this year's contest are on display at the Vietnam News Agency headquarters at 5 Ly Thuong Kiet street.
Theexhibited photos will also be printed in the magazine's English,Chinese, Spanish and Lao print editions, and posted on the magazine'swebsite in Vietnamese, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese,Spanish, Lao and Khmer.-VNA
