When the lens touches the breath of the sea

With each passing season, "Homeland on the Edge of the Waves" leaves a special emotional impact on the art community and the public. More than just a competition, it's a journey of artists quietly searching for the beauty of their homeland in every drop of salty sweat, every white-capped wave, and every smile of fishermen at sea.

This year's first prize in the photo series category went to photographer Nguyen Khac Hao (Hung Yen) for his work "The Bustling Anchovy Season". At 70 years old, he still diligently travels across the country, from cloud-covered borders to windswept seas and islands, meticulously capturing images of the gentle yet resilient Vietnamese people. In 2022, while visiting Ninh Thuan , he was captivated by the sight of fishing boats returning amidst the salty scent of the wind and the pungent aroma of anchovies – small fish but the "soul" of the Vietnamese sea. From that, "The Bustling Anchovy Season" was born as a harmonious blend of man and sea, perfectly recreating the entire process from fishing and drying to processing, closely linked to the culture and lifestyle of coastal fishermen.

The artwork was displayed at the competition's exhibition. Photo: VIET TRUNG

In October 2024, he went to Ca Na port (Khanh Hoa province) to complete his work. For a week, he immersed himself in the bustling life of the fishermen: Basket boats coming and going constantly, smoke from wet fish baskets swirling like mist, fishermen busily carrying and washing fish, others drying them under the bright sun. In each frame, he conveyed the image of optimistic, cheerful, and proud Vietnamese people under the fluttering red flag with a yellow star at the bow of the boat. In June 2025, he continued to Hon Yen, Phu Yen province (now Dak Lak province) to go out to sea with fishermen in basket boats, flying a drone over the vast ocean. During the process, one of his drones fell after colliding with a seabird, but when talking to us, he still smiled: "I don't regret the equipment, I'm just happy to see my country so beautiful, and its people so kind and hospitable."

For photographer Nguyen Khac Hao, the greatest reward is not a medal or title, but the moment when viewers pause for a long time before the photograph to feel the love for their homeland through each wave, each smile of the fishermen.

In the single photo category, first prize went to "Under the National Flag," taken in October 2024 by Nguyen Viet Hoang Long, capturing the sacred moment when the red flag with a yellow star flutters in the vast expanse of Ha Long Bay in the early morning. The sunlight blends with the morning mist, creating a hazy background that highlights the vibrant, soft yet majestic flag against the boundless sea and sky. In the distance, fishing boats cut through the waves, some heading out to sea, others returning, evoking a sense of peace and warmth. "I tried hundreds of times to capture the perfect moment of wind, light, and mist blending together. When the boats return after their long voyages, the flag acts like a sturdy shield, reminding them that they are always safe in the embrace of the Fatherland," shared Nguyen Viet Hoang Long.

Winning second prize in the photo series category, Nguyen Van Khoi's work, "Dance of the Sea," is the result of days spent traveling from dawn to dusk during the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province Tourism Week at the end of 2024. With only two cameras and a lens, he captured precious moments, from boats cutting through the waves carrying the national flag fluttering in the wind to the radiant smiles of tourists bathed in golden sunlight. Khoi said: "Sometimes it was just an instinctive reaction; when the boat suddenly changed direction, I only had time to turn the drone, press the shutter, and as soon as I reviewed it, I knew I had captured the heartbeat of the sea."

The artists participating in the competition come from many generations, yet share a common heartbeat. Some quietly gather the soul of Vietnam in each frame, while others break free to capture fleeting moments. But all of them share a passion, a love for their country, and a desire to use photography to preserve the beauty of their homeland.

Spreading love and contributing to affirming sovereignty over the sea and islands.

Launched in 2021, the competition attracted nearly 6,000 entries, rising to 9,595 in the second season of 2023, and reaching over 15,770 entries from 3,514 authors by 2025. These impressive figures demonstrate the competition's strong vitality. Mr. Ma The Anh, Director of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions, commented: “The authors' love for the sea, islands, and the homeland is clearly evident. It is this dedication that has created works rich in emotion and high artistic value.”

Each photograph tells a story, about the salty sweat of laborers, the innocent smiles of children, or the steadfast gaze of soldiers at the forefront of the waves. It's not just art, but a collection of emotions about the homeland in the new era. Photographer Ho Sy Minh, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, affirmed: “The third competition has achieved both quantity, quality, and widespread impact. This is a solid foundation for the ‘Homeland on the Edge of the Waves’ competition to grow stronger.”

Transcending the boundaries of an art competition, "Homeland on the Shore of Waves" has become a symbol of the Vietnamese spirit reaching out to the vast ocean. In it, each photograph is a song, each frame a piece of the nation's soul. Like waves relentlessly crashing against the shore, this journey continues, ensuring that love for the sea and islands, and national pride, shine brightly in every glance, every frame, every wave of Vietnam.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/bien-dao-to-quoc-an-tuong-trong-tung-khung-hinh-912999