HA NOI (VNS) ? All professional photographers, both Vietnamese and foreigners, living in Viet Nam or abroad, are invited to join the seventh Viet Nam International Artistic Photo Contest 2013.

Hosted by the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), the biennial event has expanded globally to strengthen the exchange between Vietnamese and foreign photographers.

Apart from the opportunity to enjoy art produced by some of the world's leading photographers, the competition also promotes Viet Nam's image, culture, and people internationally.

Unlike previous seasons that featured freestyle categories for colour and black-and-white, this year's contest consists of four categories namely freestyle, nature, tourism and portraiture.

All entries must be original and cannot have won any other photo contests. They must be submitted by August 31 to contestvn2013@gmail.com, or by uploading to the contest's website www.contestvn2013.com (activated from July 1).

The results will be announced in October. Prize-winning photos will be on display at an open-air exhibition at the Temple of Literature in November.

In 2011, the contest attracted 1,600 photographers including 300 foreigners to send more than 11,000 image files to vie.

VAPA also has launched a contest titled Sac Mau Dan Toc Viet Nam (Colour of Viet Nam's Ethnic Groups).

Open to all Vietnamese photographers, the contest will close on July 30 next year. ? VNS