At the ceremony, a total of 21 prizes were presented to best entries of the photo contest, which was launched in May by the Party Commission for Communication and Education, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

The contest was open to Vietnamese people at home and abroad as well as to foreigners who are living and working in Vietnam. The organising board received nearly 7,000 entries, including around 4,100 single photos and roughly 400 photo collections by 745 entrants, reported Nhan Dan newspaper.

The entries vividly capture the landscape and life of ethnic groups in Vietnam’s border areas as well as the armed forces who are working days and nights there to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and border security.

Two first prizes, three second, six third and 10 consolation prizes were awarded to the most excellent entries at the event. The organising board also selected 196 outstanding photos to exhibit on the occasion.

Addressing the award ceremony, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich hailed the organisers for hosting the event, which he said was a practical way to popularise information on border demarcation and marker planting as well as border gate management.

He also said that the results of the contest is a vivid illustration of public attention, particularly of photographers, in the protection of the national sovereignty and territorial borders./.

BTA