Vietnamese photographers have won 17 prizes in 10 out of 12 categories at the International Exhibition of Art Photography - Contrast 2020 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Vietnam Artistic Photographers' Association announced on April 2.

Gold medal-winning photo "Maternal Love # 2" by Vu Duy Thong
Vu Duy Thong brought home two gold medals for his works entitled "Maternal love 2” and "The last wharf” in the categories of birds and life, respectively.
Meanwhile, photographer Duong Van Nhi bagged the salon silver medal for his photo "Small and Big” in the Monochrome and Colour category.
Many photos by Vietnamese photographers were selected to be displayed at the exhibition.
The International Exhibition of Art Photography - Contrast 2020 was held by the photo club Infinity from Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The organising board received 4,897 entries, featuring 181 photographers from 47 countries and territories around the world. Two hundred outstanding photos in 12 categories were honoured.
Source: NDO
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.