VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam will send two entries to an international photo and poster contest on environmental protection, launched by United Nations in Vienna.

Tran Hong Thien pictured with her work inspired by her literature teacher. — VNS Photo Bich Huong

The entries were chosen from among 2,500 other entries in a similar national contest launched in June by the General Department of Environment under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Global Environment Fund.

The national contest aimed to portray the environmental pollution in Viet Nam and seek reasonable and prompt solutions for protecting the environment.

It is also expected to contribute to raising public awareness, particularly among the younger generation, of environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.

In the photo category, themed "Open burning – Impact on health and environment," the national winner was Dao Xuan Duc, a high school student from Ha Noi’s Xuan Mai High School, who presented a piece featuring smoke from a burnt rice field after harvesting.

In the poster drawing category, themed "3R – For a brighter future," the winner was Tran Hong Thien, an eighth grader from Ben Tre City Secondary School in southern Ben Tre Province, with a poster depicting children, 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recyle) and a happy green globe.

Thien said the poster was inspired by her literature teacher, who told her class that when the earth is green and clean, people are happy.

Together with Duc and Thien, 30 young people were awarded second, third and consolation prizes and two prizes for the most popular works.

The organising board presented two first, four second, six third and 20 consolation prizes, worth VND10 million (US$440), VND5 million, VND3 million and VND1 million each, respectively, for the most outstanding entries.

Vice head of the General Department of Environment Hoang Van Thuc said at the award ceremony, “Photography and art can bring us shades of emotions and feelings. A photo, a picture, a sound, a single action, if combined together, could make a great difference in awareness and actions.”

He called on people, particularly young people, to join the movement to improve awareness of environmental pollution and ways to protect the environment.

VNS