The third time the contest is held, it is open to all Vietnamese citizens aged 15 and over, both domestic and foreign, and foreigners working and living in Vietnam. The time for receiving entries is from March 10 to July 10, 2025. In Gia Lai , photography artists (NSNA) said they would not miss the opportunity to participate in this meaningful, attractive and prestigious playground.

After two national art photography contests and exhibitions "Fatherland on the Shore" held in 2021 and 2023, a number of photographers in Gia Lai won prizes or had their photos selected for exhibition.

Photographer Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc said: He has 1 work that won the consolation prize in 2021. That is the photo "Artisan making bamboo shrimp" capturing artisan Nguyen Minh Chau (An Nhon town, Binh Dinh province) meticulously making lobster from bamboo - a unique and sophisticated tourist product.

“As a photographer, I am very interested in competitions that promote and disseminate national sovereignty . Although this is a difficult field, I want to try it,” Quoc said.

Over the years, the contest has been launched to diversify the methods of propaganda and foreign information on sea and island sovereignty; affirm the correct policies and guidelines of the Party and State, and the efforts of localities in implementing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018 on the strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045; promote the potential and beauty of nature and people of Vietnam's seas and islands to a wide audience at home and abroad.

The contest calls for and encourages the participation and response of all classes of people, especially artists, to create many new works with valuable content and art, effectively serving propaganda work as well as the cultural and spiritual life of the people, promoting the movement of creating artistic photos about the sea and islands, creating a strong spread in the community.

According to Artist Nguyen Ngoc Son - Head of the Vietnam Artists Association in the province, in addition to the above-mentioned award-winning work by Artist Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc, members of the association also had works selected for exhibition at the contest. In 2021, Artist Nhat Hanh had 2 photos participating in the exhibition after a field trip to Truong Sa in 2020, including: "Youth Club for the Homeland's Sea and Islands seeing off soldiers to Truong Sa to perform their duties" and "Spring gifts from the mainland to children on Sinh Ton Island".

Artist Nguyen Ngoc Son himself also has a photo exhibited in 2023, which is the work "Gift of the Sea" taken in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. "The works are both artistic and political, contributing to conveying the message of protecting Vietnam's sea and island sovereignty to the audience" - Artist Nguyen Ngoc Son shared.

The head of the Vietnam Association of Photographers in the province said: Creations about the sea and islands always bring strong creative inspiration to photographers from the highlands. One of the major obstacles is that there are not many opportunities to approach the sea and island environment for a long time to watch every angle, capture every beautiful moment or ideal light direction.

Meanwhile, NSNA Nhat Hanh told the story of “overcoming difficulties” in age when he participated in a visit to Truong Sa cadres and soldiers at the time… nearly 70 years old. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he rushed to every island to record as many works as possible because he determined that it would be difficult to return again to access this valuable source of documents.

This year, photographers in Gia Lai continue to submit photos to the national art photography contest and exhibition “Fatherland on the Shore”, especially when the Organizing Committee gives close suggestions on the topic. It could be the natural beauty of Vietnam’s seas and islands; the daily life and production of fishermen at sea; activities to protect sovereignty over seas and islands; and socio-economic and cultural works on seas and islands.

Photographers can also promote images of marine tourism and sustainable development; typical and advanced examples in socio-economic development and protection of the country's sea and island sovereignty; application of science and technology in marine economic development and protection of ocean ecosystems; and international cooperation activities on marine and island development.

Along with that, it reflects important steps in the strategy of developing the marine economy associated with international integration, exploiting sustainable marine resources and affirming the position of a strong maritime nation; the socio-economic development achievements of coastal localities after nearly 40 years of the country's renovation; the composition time is from 2023 to present.

Having participated in a creative camp organized by the Vietnam Association of Fine Arts in Nha Trang City in 2023, Artist Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc has “a little capital” to participate in this year’s competition. However, he suggested: “I hope the Association of Literature and Arts or provincial leaders will pay attention to organizing more creative trips to some coastal provinces to create conditions for artists to create more beautiful works about the country’s sea and islands.”

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/to-quoc-ben-bo-song-post315965.html