adminOn the morning of November 23, 2025, at the Ton Duc Thang Museum (Ho Chi Minh City), the Award Ceremony of the Vietnam Heritage Photo Competition 2025 – Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards (VNHPA) was held in a solemn atmosphere to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005 – November 23, 2025).
The event brought together heritage experts, professional photographers, representatives of cultural organizations, and a large audience who share a passion for Vietnam’s heritage.
The program was jointly organized by Vietnam Heritage, the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Cultural Heritage, and Gen Zi Sản – a media group from FPT University, with the aim of honoring Vietnam’s natural and cultural heritage while spreading the spirit of heritage preservation in contemporary life.
Heritage – A Bridge Connecting the Past and the Younger Generation
At the ceremony, Jury member Mr. Hoang Trung Thuy shared:
“The Heritage Photo Competition serves as a bridge – especially one that connects young people with the past and with history. I firmly believe that the competition will bring many meaningful values to the community, particularly in preserving and promoting Vietnam’s cultural heritage.”
This message also reflects the overarching spirit of this year’s competition, where photography goes beyond merely capturing beauty to become a medium that connects modern society with the deep historical and cultural layers of the nation.
Preserving Heritage Is an Action, Not Just Words
Also speaking at the event, Ms. Lê Tú Cẩm – Standing Committee Member of the Vietnam Association of Cultural Heritage and President of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Cultural Heritage – emphasized:
“Preserving and promoting heritage is by no means easy. To truly protect heritage, we cannot rely on words alone – we must take action. Everyone can contribute to heritage preservation in their own way, through language, personal perspectives, and individual feelings.”
This message resonated strongly with attendees, especially young photographers who are approaching heritage through fresh perspectives and new ways of storytelling.
Gen Z and the Journey of Bringing Heritage Back into Everyday Life
A notable highlight of the program was the sharing session by Nguyen Hong Duong, Head of Gen Zi Sản, who spoke about the journey behind the theme “Touching Heritage, Feeling Its Essence.” (Chạm di sản, Cảm chất riêng)
In today’s fast-paced modern life, as young people are increasingly occupied with new trends, cultural and historical heritage can sometimes feel distant – existing only as old textbook pages or silent monuments frozen in time.
From this concern, the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2025 was created with the aspiration of turning heritage photo collections and the Vietnam Heritage Photo Competition into a vivid bridge, allowing young people (aged 18–24) to connect with the nation’s enduring values through genuine emotions and real experiences.
Each photograph is not merely a frozen moment, but a reflection of Vietnam’s natural breath, community life, architecture, and people. Through every frame, the competition hopes that young audiences will rediscover pride in their roots, thereby nurturing an awareness of preserving and promoting heritage as a natural part of everyday life.
A Space for Honor and Community Engagement
In addition to the award presentations, the ceremony featured traditional art performances by the Tinh Nguoi Quan Ho Cultural Heritage Club and the Bac Song Cau Cultural Heritage Club, contributing to a culturally rich and distinctive atmosphere.
Alongside the award ceremony, an exhibition showcasing 81 outstanding works was held over two days (November 22–23) at the Ton Duc Thang Museum. The exhibition attracted a large number of visitors and became a meaningful cultural destination, serving community activities in celebration of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day.
Although the award ceremony has concluded, the journey of spreading heritage values continues – through photographs, personal stories, and, most importantly, through the awareness and actions of individuals in preserving Vietnam’s cultural heritage today.