"Promoting Hanoi's check-in map" from the Check in Vietnam tourism ecosystem gained the most voted entry in the video category of the 'Happy Vietnam 2024' photo and video competition.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital (October 10, 1954-2024), Check in Vietnam launched a campaign to draw a star-shaped "Check in Hanoi Map" at five famous landmarks in the capital: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Dau Tower, Hoa Lo Prison Relic, Chuong Duong Bridge and Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The campaign has received the response and participation of many young people in the capital, with more than 600 Tiktok videos shared with nearly 70 million views, reaching more than 11 million young people. The initiative was joined by a number of KOLs and celebrities, which helped boost travel to the capital.

A scene from the video "Promotion of Hanoi's check-in map".

The video "Gia Lai - Epic Land" by author Nguyen Van Hoan won the gold medal.

Speaking about the work, Hoan said: "Every step you take in this land brings you closer to a rich epic culture, where the echoes of gong beats still reverberate in space, reviving legendary stories and the pride of local ethnic groups. Gia Lai is an ideal destination for those who love exploration and adventure. It's also a place to learn deeply about traditional cultural values that have been preserved through many generations."

In the photo category, the gold medal was won by the work "Sweet Happiness" by the author Vu Dieu Hoa. The photo shines with the smiles of a disabled couple participating in the race with their young son.

The silver medal goes to Tran Huy Hung for the photo series "Racing at the construction site of the 500kV line circuit 3" and Duong Giang for the work "Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte cycling around Hanoi."

The most voted work is "Fellowship of young H'mong men in Ha Giang" by author Meynardo LB. Montealegre, Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam.

Ambassador Montealegre said the photo was taken in Lung Cam Cultural Village, Meo Vac, Ha Giang in the spring of 2024. Upon entering the village, he happened to see H'mong boys playing, each holding a musical instrument like a real band. They were resting after hours of work, catering to tourists visiting the village.

"Fellowship of Young H'mong Men in Ha Giang" by author Meynardo LB. Montealegre, Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam.

"What caught my attention was their relaxed demeanor, their lively conversations, their carefree laughter, and the stories that these friends shared with each other, which shone on their faces with innocent smiles," said Ambassador Montealegre.

This is the second year the "Happy Vietnam" Photo and Video Contest has been held online on the Vietnam promotion platform at: https://vietnam.vn.

Speaking at the award ceremony held on December 11, Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Manh Hung said that this is an important event to honor people all over the country, overseas Vietnamese and international friends who use digital technology to create photos and videos about the country and people of Vietnam.

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, many authors have perspectives that are not professional, but vivid and very close to real life, reflecting the many aspects of the concept of happiness. Although the videos are very short and the photos are taken by phone, the authors tell a vivid story about the life around them.

"Digital technology helps people capture, preserve and share the happy moments they see. Happiness is a big thing, but it is right inside us. Happiness is familiar and easy. Sometimes we have happiness but forget or pass by without knowing it. The 'Happy Vietnam' photo and video contest conveys the message of capturing happy and sad moments, which all lead to a better life," said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Manh Hung (left) visits the exhibition of outstanding photos from the competition. Photo: VNA

Open to participants from around the world, this year's competition attracted 10,327 entries from 6,863 participants. Among them were 581 international artists and 265 overseas Vietnamese, many of whom have already taken part in the 2023 competition.

After months of evaluation, the judges selected 210 outstanding works, 60 videos, and 150 photos to be displayed in the exhibition. Of these, 34 received prestigious awards, including gold, silver, bronze medals and consolation prizes, with the prize pool reaching more than VND400 million (US$15,756).

After the ceremony, the winning works will be exhibited in Vietnam and abroad to promote the country's rich culture, vibrant people and collective aspiration for a prosperous and happy future.