The 9th national tourism photo contest themed "Explore Vietnam" was organized by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Travel Magazine and Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.
In six months (January-June), the organizers received 15,610 entries from 1,118 Vietnamese and 14 foreign contestants.
The first prize went to "Flower Boats" by Tran Minh Luong, taken in the ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam, which captures in vivid colors boats on the Hoai River.