Hanoi's beauty highighted in photo contest

Sixteen authors of excellent photographic works depicting the beauty of Hanoi at night have just been honored at an award ceremony recently held as part of the "Get on Hanoi 2024" Tourism Festival.

Award ceremony of the tourism photo contest "Welcome Hanoi City 2023". Photo: Hanoi Tourism Department

They are among 419 authors from 44 provinces and cities submitting nearly 1,400 photographic works.

The entries are stunning and perfectly capture the beauty of Hanoi at night, according to the organizing committee.

In contrast to the bustle of the city during the day, Hanoi at night, when the street lights are on and everyone is asleep, radiates a peaceful and charismatic charm, with many interesting things for everyone to explore.

The Hanoi Opera House is especially magnificent at night, thanks to its elaborate lighting design. The magnificent old French architecture resembles a giant fantasy castle.

Meanwhile, other famous destinations in the capital, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge, St Joseph's Cathedral, and the Old Quarter, all sparkle as the night falls.

One award-winning photo shows locals and international tourists enjoying a "street party" on Ta Hien Street with draught beer and snacks.

The prize-winning photos from the competition.

Located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market is not only a place for normal trading activities but also a place for cultural exchange, preserving many unique features of the 36 old streets that are a tourist magnet.

The corner of Dinh Tien Hoang Street along the shore of the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake is lit up with fanciful colors, and people admire the rushing stream of vehicles.

The first prize in the single photo category went to Tran Thu Ha's 'Christmas Vibrant', while the second prize went to "Tourists Enjoy Egg Coffee in Hanoi" (Nguyen Duc Toan) and "Shimmering Hoan Kiem" (Le Ngoc Huy).

In the photo set category, the first prize went to Pham Quoc Dung's "Quintessential Academic Traditions - The Night Tour at the Temple of Literature"; the second prize went to Phan Huy Thie's "Night Market"; and the two third prizes were awarded to Hoang Van Duong's "Son Tay Ancient Citadel at the Mid-Autumn Festival" and Kieu Anh Dung's "Thang Long Water Puppet Show".

Launched by the Hanoi Tourism Department in November 2023, the "Welcome Ha Noi City" photo contest is aimed at young people and international tourists, who are encouraged to post photos of Hanoi at night on their profiles on social platforms using the contest hashtags.

This is one of Hanoi's initiatives to spread the beautiful and vibrant image of the capital around the world.

The familiar images of Hanoi are perfectly captured in the photo competition.