Photographer Nguyen Dang Viet Cuong's photo of the Saigon River and nightlife in HCM City won first prize in the Amazing Vietnam online photo contest organized by Tourism Magazine and the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Two second prizes went to Dang Thi Phuong Lan from the northern province of Yen Bai and Vu Van Lam from Hai Phong City for Sunlight on Sang Nhu and Starry Night, respectively.

The photo Saigon Night by Nguyen Dang Viet Cuong won the first prize. (Ho Chi Minh City).

The jury also awarded prizes to the photo that received the most likes and heart icons, titled Season of Inundated Terrace Rice Field by Duong Hoai An, and the most shared photo, titled Foggy Ta Pa by Nguyen Dong Xuan.

The award ceremony was held in Hanoi on August 25.

According to Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration and head of the jury, the contest has received 13,279 entries from 1,032 authors from 63 provinces and cities across the country in the nearly six months since its launch.

Dang Thi Phuong Lan's photo "Sunlight on Sang Nhu" won the second prize.

Khanh noted that all the entries submitted to the contest are of good quality and adhere to the theme of tourism with many new perspectives. The photos will be stored in a data system to promote Vietnam's tourism industry. At the same time, the contest encourages artists and the public to participate in taking photos of tourism activities.

"The photos vividly show the beauty of the country, life and people of today's Vietnam; images of tourists discovering and experiencing tourism products and immersing themselves in local life throughout the country," said Khanh.

The photo "Explore Cloud Cave" by author Vu Bao Ngoc, Hanoi, won the third prize.

Nguyen Duc Xuyen, Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Magazine and deputy head of the organizing committee, said the photo met all the jury's requirements in terms of art and message. The development of night tourism and water tourism are the guidelines of the organizers.

"These photos send clear messages and bring fresh and unique visions," Xuyen said. "The photos reflect the beauty of Vietnam's landscapes, life and people. Many photos show tourists exploring and experiencing tourism products and participating in local life in destinations across the country."

The exhibition of outstanding photos will run until September 31 at the Vietnam Culture Arts Exhibition Center, 2 Hoa Lu Street, Hanoi.