On April 28 The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Vietnam announced the winning entries for the Vietnam Earth Hour Photo Contest 2009.

The first-prize winning photo by Nguyen Thanh Ha.

“Earth Hour” photo contest launched in Vietnam

The organizing board received 600 photos from professional and amateur photographers around the country.

First prize was presented to Nguyen Thanh Ha, who submitted a picture of thousands of students who lit candles at the August Revolution Square in Hanoi on the night of March 28. The photo clearly illustrates the main message of the Earth Hour campaign: the unity among people in the fight against climate change.

Second prizes were awarded to four photographers: Nguyen Trang Dung, who submitted a photo depicting two young people who lit candles in response to the Earth Hour programme; Huynh Pham Anh Dung, for his photo of Hoi An ancient city during Earth Hour; Dzung Nguyen_E.fiat_A. Vapa, for a photo of three kids lighting candels; and Bui Hoang Hai for a picture of the Turtle Tower in Hanoi during Earth Hour.

Twenty other photographers received the consolation prizes.

All winning photos will be used to promote the Earth Hour program.

Six cities in Vietnam joined the Earth Hour 2009, namely Hanoi, HCM City, Hue city, Hoi An, Can Tho, and Nha Trang. During the first Earth Hour, the country saved around 140,000kWh of electricity.

The Earth Hour campaign in Vietnam was co-organized by the WWF, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the local authorities of the six participating cities.

VG