A photo competition organised by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA) is causing a public stir because the winners were unspectacular.

An exhibition of the photos for “TPHCM, 40 nam doi moi” or “HCM City – 40 years of renovation” opens on August 8. But the photos have fallen flat in the view of critics.

The contest attracted 100 entrants submitting more than 600 images. “Pho di bo” or “Walking street” by Nguyen Thi Thu Ba won gold medal, but it failed to stir the acclaim of either early public viewers or other photographers.

Photographer Ngo Dinh Hoang said that, apart from “Walking street”, several other winning works had little connection with the contest’s theme.

Hoang Thach Van, vice chairman of the HCM City Photographic Association (HOPA), a member of the judging panel, said the contest featured HCM City’s 40 years of renovation and the work “Walking street” deserved to win as it features the city’s most modern work, and the photographer showed great skill in using light, technique and composition.

“I do think that no photos in the contest are better than 'Walking street'," Van said.

Many members of the public were also disappointed when the work “Ben Nha Rong hom nay” or “Nha Rong port nowadays” which won noble prize for quality.

The work “Hon ngoc Vien Dong” or “Far East Pearl” by Nguyen Anh An, which was highly appreciated by artistic photographers, won no prize.

“I just want to show off my work to the public but was displeased by the quality of winning photos,” An said.

“Walking street” by Nguyen Thi Thu Ba won the gold medal.

“Nha Rong port nowaday” won a special prize at the contest.

“Far East Pearl” by Nguyen Anh An won no prize despite being highly appreciated.