Taking pictures of Hanoi's 'beautiful lights' is easy, finding other angles is difficult

The topic of Hanoi is always a challenge for photography lovers, not only because there are many contests, but also because the image of the city is familiar to everyone so it is not easy to find different ways to take photos.

Nguyen Duc Toan's photo series about ancient architecture and famous landscapes of Hanoi was awarded a gold medal.

This is the assessment of the jury of the Hanoi Regional Art Photography Festival 2025 at the award ceremony and exhibition at the Hoan Kiem Ward Culture, Information and Sports Center - Hang Trong flower garden space (42 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) on September 25.

The festival is an annual activity organized by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, the Hanoi Association of Literature and Arts, and the Hanoi Association of Art Photography. This year's theme is "Hanoi - Forever with time".

Afternoon at Truc Bach Lake by Nguyen Thi Minh Hai - silver medal

Many photo contests about Hanoi have very similar results.

According to the festival jury, the theme of Hanoi is always a challenge for photographers. The beautiful and vibrant city, with its rich culture, scenery and weather, is very “suitable” for photography, but is also a “difficult point” for photographers.

Because Hanoi has long been a favorite subject of many professional and amateur photographers, both domestic and international. Therefore, finding new perspectives on Hanoi is not easy.

Many photo contests and festivals on the theme of Hanoi have been held. Looking at the results of these contests and festivals, it can be seen that finding new perspectives on Hanoi through the art of photography is not easy.

The exhibitions almost all cover the same topics such as traditional festivals, street activities, Hanoi autumn, street vendors, modern cities...

The work Nghiem Quan ritual, recreating the battle of General Ly Phuc Man by Duong Thi Ngoc Chien, won a bronze medal.

Recreating Hanoi at many different levels

However, the jury of the 2025 Hanoi Regional Art Photography Festival was quite surprised when among the photos exhibited and won prizes in this contest, many authors had new discoveries and expressions about Hanoi.

For example, the work Urban Heartbeat by Nguyen Ton Hoan brings a profound meaning about the heart of the city, with the lines of vehicles like "blood" circulating from the ramp to the elevated highway into the city.

The photo "Afternoon at Truc Bach Lake" by Nguyen Thi Minh Hai was taken by flycam, allowing viewers to see Hanoi from above in the vivid afternoon sun. The dots of pedal boats on the lake create a peaceful scene of the capital.

In the development of the capital city, which is increasingly civilized and modern, integrating with the world , the photo series of the incense offering ceremony according to traditional rituals at the Temple of Literature by Phan Huy Thiep gives us a sense of the cultural depth of our ancestors that is still preserved and passed down to future generations.

Most prominent is the photo collection Traditional ancient architecture of Thang Long - Hanoi by Nguyen Duc Toan.

The author cleverly gathered single photos of familiar landmarks of the capital into groups that closely followed the theme of the contest, with reasonable post-processing to create a soft, muted color tone for the photos, helping the photo series exude a gentle yet profound beauty.

Photo series of traditional incense offering ceremony at Temple of Literature by Phan Huy Thiep - bronze medal

The work Dawn on the ancient bridge of the capital by author Nguyen Thi Minh Hai - encouragement prize

Photographer Ho Sy Minh - Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists - assessed that the highlight of this festival is the richness in artistic perspectives.

The entries recreated Hanoi at many different levels, from ancient heritages to modern buildings, carrying the breath of a dynamic city.

Many simple yet touching photos capture everyday moments of Hanoians in a bustling life but still imbued with humanity, elegance and sophistication.

A notable point is that this year's Hanoi Regional Art Photography Festival has many photos and photo collections "following the current events", reflecting the vibrant contemporary life of the city.

Such as the photo series about the two-level government welcoming the new era, the photo series of Hanoi people cleaning up after typhoon Yagi, the photo series of Hanoi celebrating football victory, the photo series of neighborly love during the historic flood season last year...

Visiting Hanoi National University building by Le Phu Son

The work Fatherland in the Heart by Cao Khac Viet

The work Nhat Tan in Spring by Do Thi Bich Hai

From nearly 1,000 entries to the festival, the organizing committee selected 67 entries (18 photo series and 49 single entries) by 44 authors to exhibit and enter the award round. The 11 best entries to the award round included 1 gold medal, 2 silver medals, 3 bronze medals and 5 consolation prizes.

67 works, including 11 winning works, will be introduced to the public until October 2.

BIRD OF PARADISE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chup-ha-noi-dem-dep-thi-de-tim-nhung-goc-khac-di-thi-kho-20250925210213268.htm