APEC 2017 Photo Contest winners announced

11/9/2017 - 9:55:41 AM

The APEC Photo Contest 2017 winners were announced at the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting by Dr. Alan Bollard, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat’s Executive Director, on November 7, in the central city of Da Nang.

First-prize winning photo 'Sunset Life' by Kieu Anh Dung from Vietnam

The first prize was awarded to the photo "Sunset Life” by Kieu Anh Dung from Vietnam, while "The Sea Flower” by Truong Vinh and "Building the Flower Industry” by Tran Dinh Thuong, both also from the host country, received second and third prizes, respectively.

The Popular Choice Award went to "Up and Forward” by Yu-Han Kung from the Republic of Korea and "Harvest Time” by Oki Arisandi from Indonesia received the Influencer Award.

The APEC Photo Contest is an annual initiative of the APEC Secretariat to collect stakeholders’ views on APEC’s messages and priorities. The contest seeks the public’s visual interpretation of APEC’s priorities for 2017, including promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, deepening regional economic integration, strengthening the competitiveness of small businesses and enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture.

The winners were evaluated by a judging panel consisting of world renowned photojournalists, industry experts and senior public officials, such as APEC Executive Director Alan Bollard, Agence France-Presse Photo Editor for North America Eric Baradat, award-winning photographer Palani Mohan, APEC Photo Contest multi-year winner and photographer Truong Huu Hung, and Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister and Chair of APEC 2017 Senior Officials Bui Thanh Son.

In its seventh year, the APEC Photo Contest 2017 received 2,126 entries from various APEC member economies including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In order to reach a wider audience, this year, for the first time, the contest welcomed entries from Instagram through the APEC Secretariat’s official account.

To honour the Instagram entries, the special "Influencer Award” was introduced and the winner was selected by the number of likes the photo received on this channel. The first winner of the award this year is Oky Arisandi from Indonesia whose photo received nearly 3,000 likes.

Source: NDO

The Festival of Sim Pagoda in At Ty Spring, 2025

On February 12th (i.e. Lunar January 15), the People's Committee of Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district organized the Festival of Sim Pagoda Festival in At Ty Spring, 2025. The festival welcomed many people and tourists to visit the pagoda and enjoy the scenery. The palanquin procession to Sim Pagoda.

Hoa Binh ensures safety for spring festivals

As Hoa Binh province is set to host 115 spring festivals, local departments, sectors and localities are joining hands to ensure safety for the events.

Sound of Muong gongs echoes in Hanoi

In many major cultural events in Hanoi, the sound of the Muong people's gongs has become a special tone, contributing to the unique harmony that praises the cultural values accumulated over thousands of years along with the sacred soul of the capital city.

Promoting traditional attire of Muong people

On the first day back to work and school after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of female officials, civil servants, and students from grade nine and above in Lac Son district proudly wore the traditional Muong attire. The vibrant brocade patterns created a striking cultural display, reinforcing the community's commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage.

Hoa Binh hosts Muong ethnic minority group's Khai Ha festival

The provincial-level Khai Ha festival 2025 of the Muong ethnic minority group took place at Phong Phu commune’s stadium in Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province on the morning of February 5 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).

Vibrant celebrations of traditional festivals in Yen Phu, Vu Binh communes

"Xuong Dong” (going to the field) festival opened in Yen Phu commune of Hoa Binh’s Lac Son district on February 5, or the eighth day of the Year of the Snake, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to partake in a variety of activities.