Ho Chi Minh City launches international photography contest with AI-generated images banned

Sponsored by the Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique (FIAP), the Photographic Society of America (PSA), and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), the competition will not accept AI-generated images, reinforcing its focus on authentic photography.

The contest is open to photographers from around the world.

Doan Hoai Trung, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association, said the contest aims to promote tourism images of Vietnam and the world, introduce the country and people of Vietnam, and spread awareness of Ho Chi Minh City's achievements on its path of integration, development, and entry into a new era.

According to the organizing committee, the contest accepts entries in four categories, all of which are digital photographs: open color (color photos only), open monochrome (monochrome photos only), portrait, and action (both accepting color photos only).

Each author may submit a maximum of four photos per category, with each photo eligible for only one category.

The organizing committee also noted that works created using AI prompts will not be accepted.

Entries must be submitted online at http://hopavnphotocontest.com before 11:59 pm on October 15, 2026.

The judging panel brings together numerous domestic and international photographic artists, including Bui Minh Son, Ly Hoang Long, Doan Thi Tho, Nguyen Minh Tan, Thigh Wanna (Singapore), Pia Jessen (Australia), Santos Moreno (Spain), and Lewis Ka Yin Choi (Hong Kong), among others.

The organizing committee will award 107 prizes, including the FIAP Blue Badge for the contest's most outstanding author.

In each category, the prize structure includes:

VAPA Awards: 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, 1 bronze medal, and 2 honorable mentions.

FIAP Awards: 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, 1 bronze medal, and 6 honorable mention certificates.

PSA Awards: 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, 1 bronze medal, and 4 honorable mention certificates.

Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association (HOPA) Awards: 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, 1 bronze medal, and 5 honorable mentions.

According to the plan, the awards ceremony and exhibition opening will take place as part of the Ho Chi Minh City International Photography Festival, expected to be held on November 22.