Clinton photo epitomises 20 years of US-VN ties

A photo of former President Bill Clinton shaking hands with Vietnamese people taken by Tran Viet Dung has won the first prize at a contest.

An exhibition of all the excellent photos selected in the contest, entitled Viet Nam-US Relations and the US through the Lens of Vietnamese Photographers, was held in Ha Noi yesterday, drawing the participation of former President Clinton and the representatives of the Vietnamese and US governments.

The photo contest and exhibition have been part of activities held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Viet Nam-US Diplomatic Relations (July 12, 1995 to July 12, 2015).

Launched in October last year, the organising committee received more than 2,000 photos from 82 domestic and foreign photographers.

While Dung's photo won in the first category, Nguyen Vinh Hien and Nguyen Ngoc Bao emerged as winners in the second and third categories, respectively.

"The photos, especially those that have been awarded, are beautiful and typical pictures, both in terms of photography and in conveying the message of the peace and friendship between the two countries," said Huynh Vinh Ai, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The jury consisted of seven members who came from different walks of life such as experienced diplomats, historians, journalists, and photographers, including Nguyen Viet Thanh from Viet Nam News. They reviewed all the entries and awarded excellent works, in addition to selecting the best works for display at the exhibition that was inaugurated yesterday.

Meanwhile, more than 100 best works have been selected for a photo book entitled Viet Nam-US Relations: History-Present-Future, which will be of high artistic value and describe the development of the Viet Nam-US relationship. The exhibition will run until July 7 at Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) in Ha Noi.

The US Consulate General in HCM City has also launched an essay writing contest in English for students aged 15-22 to celebrate this 20th anniversary.

Two Vietnamese farmers' films go to global competition

Two out of four short films made by Vietnamese farmers have been chosen to be part of a list of 30 films in the global YouFarm competition, an international video competition on the internet.

Bayer Viet Nam on Friday awarded the four farmers who made the films -- File photo

Organised by Bayer CropScience, the annual competition is for farmers worldwide or their families and friends. Farmers can shoot and submit short videos about life on the farm.

This year, the competition's topic is Farm and Family. The best videos will be announced in August.

In Viet Nam, four films were made under the support of Bayer Viet Nam and May Cong May Communication Company.

Bayer Viet Nam on Friday awarded the four farmers who made the films.

The four Vietnamese films included "The Father and His Son", "Develop Father's Rice and Homeland", "Technology and Farming" and "My Farming My Family".

The first two were chosen to join the global competition.

Writing contest features personal relationships

The website phunuvagiadinh.vn in HCM City has launched a writing contest Ky Niem Kho Quen (Unforgettable Memories) for Vietnamese people in and outside the country.

The contest encourages participants of any age and background to write about their personal and professional experiences that have influenced their relationship with others.

Participants can share their happiness, difficulties, challenges and other issues that may have changed their life, the organiser said.

Contestants can send an essay of no more than 1,000 words to phunuvagiadinh.vn before August 26.

Readers will vote for the top prizes, worth a total of VND15 million (US$700). The best essays will be published on the website and in local media.

Source: VNS