Viet Nam waterways: Over 100 photos of different subjects about rivers of Viet Nam are being displayed at the exhibition. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

HA NOI  (VNS) — A photo exhibition entitled Doi Thoai voi Dong Song (Dialogue with Rivers) has been held at the Temple of Literature in downtown Ha Noi.

Over 100 photos of rivers from all over Viet Nam were on display, showing different artistic styles of contestants, and highlighting the amazing scenes of rivers, the livelihood of people living by the rivers, the pollution they have caused to the rivers and their activities to fix it.

The exhibition is also the opening ceremony for the contest with the same theme, which has been launched by Viet Nam River Network, with the aim of creating opportunities for professional and amateur photographers to share their viewpoints and awareness over the issues relating to the rivers.

Over the past five months since the contest was launched, 130 contestants have submitted 593 works, including 884 photos, both in black and white and colour, to the organisers.

Nguyen Minh Son from Northern Province of Ha Tinh, who won the first prize with his work, Ben Hen (Mussel Wharf), said he felt honoured at receiving the news.

"I took a random picture when I visited Hen Wharf, and was invited to try the delicious mussel with rice pancake by local people. When I went to the wharf to buy some mussel, I saw such a beautiful scene of people raking the ground to catch mussels on the river. I hope to preserve this moment forever, as due to industrialisation, this scene may not last long," he said.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, a visitor to the exhibition, excitedly admires photo Gian Nan Tim Chu (The Struggling Road to Find Education), by Tran Phuong Lan, an amateur photographer.

"Most of selected photos this year are so unique. Thanks to the contestant, I know more about the pollution in the rivers caused by people, not only in Viet Nam but in the world," she said.

Nguyen Quy Hoai, a member of the organising board, said this is the first photo contest on rivers to be held on Facebook.

"Rivers all around the world are dying. We are also paying for what we had done to nature. Thanks to the contest, we are receiving sponsorship from NGOs and other organisations to help save the rivers before it is too late. This is also a chance for us to create a collection of database of rivers for researchers and students in Viet Nam," he adds.

The exhibition is open till Sunday. All winners and entries can be seen at this link: www.facebook.com/events/854630221284165/. — VNS