‘Buddha Amid the Clouds Atop Indochina’ wins top prize at Vietnam photo contest

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on Saturday, alongside the opening of an exhibition showcasing selected works.

Organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Executive Board in Quang Ninh City, the contest received 2,288 photographs from 344 photographers across 31 provinces and cities.

The competition featured two themes, 'Buddhism in Everyday Life' and 'Ngoa Van,' highlighting Buddhist traditions, monastic life, cultural heritage, and contributions to local communities.

The judging panel selected 107 photographs for exhibition and presented 15 awards.

Second prize went to Nguyen Manh Cuong, also from Ho Chi Minh City, for 'Admiration for Dedication to Buddhism,' while three third prizes and 10 consolation prizes were also awarded.

The winning entries and other selected photographs are on display at Quan Su Pagoda, offering glimpses into Buddhist traditions, monastic life, and the religion's cultural significance in contemporary Vietnam.

The exhibition features scenes of monks planting rice, tending flowers, sweeping temple courtyards, teaching Khmer children their traditional script, and studying Buddhist scriptures.

Several photographs also highlight the cultural and architectural heritage of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Vietnam.

Images of 'Ngoa Van,' a site associated with the spiritual journey and enlightenment of Buddhist king Tran Nhan Tong, reflect the legacy of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist school and its emphasis on engagement with everyday life.

Beyond the award-winning entries, several photographs stand out for their intimate portrayal of monastic life.

'In A Life of Abundance,' photographer Nguyen Doan Ket captures two young novice monks carefully raking golden rice grains spread across a temple courtyard to dry.

Their long shadows create a striking contrast against the sunlit rice, evoking the simplicity and tranquility of monastic life.

Another photograph, 'Morning Sutra Recitation' by Cao Thi Thanh Ha, depicts a young monk reading Buddhist scriptures as early sunlight streams through an intricately carved window.

Meanwhile, 'Ta Pa Pagoda – Stairway to Serenity' by Nguyen Minh Tan showcases a golden-roofed Khmer temple nestled amid dense greenery, with a winding red staircase connecting it to the surrounding landscape.

Together, the photographs offer a vivid portrait of Buddhism beyond religious rituals, highlighting its connections to daily life, cultural preservation, and local communities across Vietnam.

About the contest and exhibition

The third 'Buddhism in Everyday Life' photography contest was organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Executive Board in Quang Ninh City to highlight Buddhist traditions, cultural heritage, and the role of Buddhism in contemporary Vietnamese society.

The exhibition runs at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi from October 31 to November 7, before moving to Ngoa Van Zen Village in Quang Ninh from December 8 to 19 as part of Ngoa Van Cultural Heritage Week 2026.