The contest was organized by the Resource and Environment Magazine in collaboration with the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, as part of the Project on Reducing Marine Plastic Waste in Vietnam, with sponsorship from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Vietnam.

Dr. Dao Xuan Hung – Editor-in-Chief of Resource and Environment Magazine delivering a speech at the awards ceremony

The awards ceremony was attended by Mr. Trinh Xuan Quang, Deputy Chief of Office at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE); Dr. Pham Thi My, Editor-in-Chief of Health and Environment Magazine; Ms. Hoang Thi Hue, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Seas Magazine; Mr. Nguyen Van Luong, Deputy Chief of Office of the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands (VASI); Ms. Ngo Lan Phuong, Expert at the Project Management Board for Reducing Marine Plastic Waste in Vietnam; Ms. Nguyen Trang Nguyen, representative of WWF Vietnam; representatives from the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists; various government agencies under MONRE; a broad range of media outlets; and numerous award-winning photographers and photography groups.

Representing the Resource and Environment Magazine were Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief and Head of the Organizing Committee; Ms. Tran Thi Cam Thuy, and Mr. Kieu Dang Tuyet, Deputy Editors-in-Chief.

Singer Cao Phu Quy performing impressive ocean-themed acts at the event

In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Dao Xuan Hung said: “This contest offers individuals, organizations, and communities a platform to express their aspirations through photography, delivering powerful messages about the ocean. The contest highlights beautiful moments in life and actions that protect the marine environment, underscoring our responsibility to future generations and the sustainable blue of our oceans."

International photographer Pham Cong Thang, Chairman of the final judging panel, speaking at the awards ceremony

He added that the contest aims to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution and to encourage the community, as well as individuals, to take practical steps in protecting the marine environment. This includes changing behaviors and reducing the use of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags, which are harmful to the oceans. Despite being a community-driven initiative, many of the entries have high artistic value and serve as a powerful call to action for marine environmental protection.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Quang, Deputy Chief of Office at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, presenting the first prize of the contest

Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief of Resource and Environment Magazine, and international photographer Pham Cong Thang presenting the second prize to the winning authors.

Mr. Kieu Dang Tuyet, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Resource and Environment Magazine, and Ms. Ngo Thi Lan Phuong, expert from the Project Management Board for Reducing Marine Plastic Waste, presenting the third prize to the winning authors.

Ms. Tran Thi Cam Thuy, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Resource and Environment Magazine, and Ms. Nguyen Trang Nguyen, representative of WWF Vietnam, presenting the consolation prize to the winning authors

Attendees, members of the Organizing Committee, and prize-winning authors posing for a commemorative photo

Award-winning photos in the contest:

The photo "Catching crown-of-thorns starfish and collecting trash" by Tran Thi Phuong Thao, which won first prize.

The photo "Humans hindered by their own waste" by Nguyen Trang Kim Cuong, which won second prize.

The photo "Recycling household waste from the island" by Nguyen Ngoc Son, which won second prize.

The photo "Mother's scrap carrying" by Le Anh Thi from Ha Tinh city, which won third prize.

The photo "Sunrise on Da Nang beach" by Pham Huy Dang, which won third prize.

The photo "United in pulling ashore a large load of trash" by Nguyen Thanh Phong, which won third prize.

The photo "Guiding trash sorting before cleaning Mui Ne beach" by Nguyen Ngoc Anh, which won a consolation prize.

The photo "Action for a green Truong Sa" by Vu Minh Ly, which won a consolation prize.

The photo "Transporting recycled waste from the island to the mainland at Hon Ro port" by Nguyen Trang Kim Cuong, which won a consolation prize.

The photo "Parents joining the group" by Nguyen Thanh Phong, which won a consolation prize.

Delegates and guests attending the event:

Sy Tung