The contest has officially ended, and we’re thrilled to announce the winners! Scroll down to see who took the top spots.
Community Choice Award Dates
Voting Timeline
Winner Announcement
Categories
Culture & Local Life
Architecture & Landscape
Hidden Gems
How to Enter
Submit Your Photos
- Each photographer can submit up to 5 photos for one category. Extras will not be reviewed.
- Include the information as to where, when and with what device the photo was taken with
- Photos should be sent as .jpg or .png files. They shouldn’t be larger than 10Mb.
- Tell us about your photo! All photos should include a relevant caption (less than 200 words)
Follow Us: Stay updated on contest details and announcements by following us on social media.
Share and Vote: Encourage friends and family to vote for your photo and share their favorites!
The contest closes on July 31st and winners will be announced and contacted the week after!
*Winners shall submit the raw files of the photos after announcement (can be more than 10Mb)
What are the prizes?
Azerai Can Tho
Azerai La Residence, Hue
Azerai Ke Ga Bay
Madame Lam
Ola Hale Restaurant & Bar
B3 Wine Bar & Grill
Photo Experience
3 Winner Prizes
Voted by our judges
Culture & Local Life
- 3 Day 2 Night Luxury Resort Stay in a Garden Room for 2 persons, including breakfast, at Azerai Can Tho Resort (Value 12,250,000 VND)
- A Voucher to B3 Wine Bar & Grill (Value 500,000 VND)
- Photography experience with Frederik Wissink of Secret Experiences (Value 1,600,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
Architecture & Landscape
- 3 Day 2 Night Luxury Resort Stay in a Superior Room for 2 persons, including breakfast, at Azerai La Residence, Hue (Value 11,330,000 VND)
- A Voucher to Madame Lam Restaurant (Value 500,000 VND)
- Photography experience with Frederik Wissink of Secret Experiences (Value 1,600,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
Hidden Gems
- 3 Day 2 Night Luxury Resort Stay in a Deluxe Suite for 2 persons, including breakfast, at Azerai Ke Ga Bay Resort (Value 13,300,000 VND)
- A Voucher to Ola Hale Restaurant & Bar (Value 500,000 VND)
- Photography experience with Frederik Wissink of Secret Experiences (Value 1,600,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
3 Runner-up Prizes
Voted by our judges
Culture & Local Life
- A Voucher to B3 Wine Bar & Grill (Value 500,000 VND)
- A Spa Session at Aman Spa (Value 500,000 VND)
- An experience with Jackfruit Adventure cycling tour (Value 1,150,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
Architecture & Landscape
- A Voucher to Madame Lam Restaurant (Value 500,000 VND)
- A Spa Session at Aman Spa (Value 500,000 VND)
- An experience with Jackfruit Adventure cycling tour (Value 1,150,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
Hidden Gems
- A Voucher to Ola Hale Restaurant & Bar (Value 500,000 VND)
- A Spa Session at Aman Spa (Value 500,000 VND)
- An experience with Jackfruit Adventure cycling tour (Value 1,150,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
Ola Hale Restaurant & Bar
Madame Lam
B3 Wine Bar & Grill
Aman Spa
Jackfruit Adventure
Meet The Judges
Gary Tyson (Mr.)
GM at Azerai Can Tho
Phan Trong Minh (Mr.)
GM at Azerai La Residence, Hue
Julian Moore (Mr.)
GM at Azerai Ke Ga Bay
Frederik Wissink (Mr.)
Professional Photographer at Secret Experiences
Vuong Quang Huynh (Mr.)
Founder & CEO at Chaovietnam, 12 years at Viet Nam News
Vivian Nguyen (Ms.)
GM at Ola Hale – Restaurant & Bar / B3 Wine Bar & Grill
Kevin Lee (Mr.)
Executive Producer, Founder at The CAKE Collective
Le Minh Hoang (Mr.)
ASEAN registered architect, researcher, professor, Founder at Le Studio Architects
Alex Sheal (Mr.)
Founder and CEO at Vietnam in Focus
Marcus Lacey (Mr.)
Photographer and creator of the Hanoi Photographic Collection.
Adrien Jean (Mr.)
Founder – Saigon Photography Tour
1 Community’s Choice Prize
Voted by Vietnam Is Awesome Community (photos that received the most votes will be the winner)
- Secret Cocktail Experience from Secret Experiences (can choose between Hoi An, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh) (Value 1,900,000 VND)
- An experience with Jackfruit Adventure cycling tour (Value 1,150,000 VND)
- 3-course lunch set from Barson at Le Meridien Saigon for 2 people
- A Voucher for SUP Paddle Station (Value 500,000 VND)
- Trophy from Vietnam Is Awesome
BARSON Saigon
Secret Cocktail Experience
Jackfruit Adventure
SUP Paddle Station
Main Sponsors
Azerai Ke Ga Bay located 2.5 hours east of Saigon along a five-kilometre white sand beach. Surrounded by Hon Ba Island’s lighthouse and dramatic sand dunes, the resort offers elegant private villas with garden terraces and soothing sand-inspired tones for ultimate relaxation.
Escape to Azerai Can Tho, a serene retreat on Con Au Islet in the Mekong Delta, accessible only by boat. Just 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, it offers 60 rooms & 5 pool villas amidst lush greenery and mature banyan trees, providing ultimate seclusion and privacy.
Azerai La Residence, Hue boasts stunning 1930s colonial mansion with art deco design and modern twists from a 2005 that echo this historic charm. Surrounded by tropical gardens and a saltwater pool, the resort blends classic elegance with contemporary luxury.
Co-Sponsors
Located in the heart of Saigon, BARSON is the ultimate destination for a vibrant dining experience. Enjoy a seamless fusion of inventive cuisine, exceptional cocktails, and energetic beats from our resident DJs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
Ola Hale is a vibrant gem in Ho Chi Minh City, where Vietnamese and Hawaiian cultures unite in a delightful fusion. This unique restaurant and bar serves up an exciting mix of local and international flavors, all in a warm, family-friendly setting.
Located in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Madame Lam blends Indochinese decor with modern touches. Its menu features traditional dishes from North, Central, and South Vietnam, crafted with premium local ingredients, respecting Vietnamese origins and evoking nostalgic memories.
B3 Wine Bar and Grill is a stylish hotspot in Ho Chi Minh City, seamlessly merging gourmet cuisine with an exceptional selection of fine wines. With its sophisticated ambiance, B3 is the ultimate destination for indulging in exquisite food and drink.
Premium Traditional Oriental Medicine Spa in the heart of District 1 – Specializing in therapeutic massages for neck and shoulder pain, back pain, and leg varicose veins with a team of highly skilled technicians.
Since launching in late 2018, Secret Experiences has distinguished itself in Vietnam with its unique, exclusive events, including personalized cocktail classes and private gatherings, and has been featured in top media outlets.
Looking for an authentic adventure? Jackfruit Adventure offers bike and walking tours that stand out from the typical tourist spots. Jackfruit Adventure is driven by a passion for creating unique travel experiences and showcasing the essence of Vietnam.
Established in 2018 by Odyssey Travel and outdoor sports veterans, Saigon Paddle Station (SPS) is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences. Embracing the motto “More Than Just Adventure,” SPS offers thrilling activities while prioritizing health and well-being.
Media Partners
Collective Design Agency is a branding & digital experience agency specializing in human-centered design, transformative technology, and digital storytelling.
Their team of international experts, spanning Hanoi, Saigon, and New York, brings together diverse perspectives and deep expertise to create compelling brand narratives. With a focus on co-creation and collaboration, CDA crafts experiences that resonate across cultures and drive meaningful engagement. Their commitment to innovation and strategic design ensures that each project results in impactful and enduring brand experiences.
Vietnam In Focus offers private and small-group photo tours across Vietnam, catering to all photography levels.
Recommended by Lonely Planet, The Guardian, and Le Petit Fute, and holding a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for over a decade, they are licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and have led groups from National Geographic and the Travel Channel.
They also work with local NGOs like Peace House Shelter, Change, and the Centre for Women and Development to raise awareness about social and environmental issues in Vietnam.
For over a decade, the Travel Massive community has connected thousands of tourism professionals, travel media, creators and startups from around the world to meet, connect and share ideas — to help shape the future of travel. Bravo!
They’ve welcomed over 80,000 attendees to more than 2,300 events in over 100 cities to share new ideas in travel – including NYC, London, Toronto, Berlin, Dublin, Cape Town, Bangkok and Saigon.
Viet Kieu is your trusted partner for connecting with the global Vietnamese community.
They offer essential services like visa exemptions, passport renewals, and travel assistance. Additionally, they provide expert advice on healthcare, hotel bookings, and airport transfers in Vietnam. Engage with a vibrant community, stay informed with the latest news, and explore cultural insights.
Join Viet Kieu today and enjoy tailored benefits for Vietnamese expatriates and their families.
Things you may want to know
By submitting your entry on vietnamisawesome.com you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- You must be at least 18 years of age to submit your entry on vietnamisawesome.com.
- You will not post any photographs or content that are obscene, vulgar, pornographic, hateful, threatening, racist, sexist, discriminatory, or otherwise violate any local or international laws.
- You are the only author of your work and it is your original work
- You are the sole copyright holder
- You have not licensed any rights in the work that will conflict with the usage rights required by vietnamisawesome.com
- You have the permission of any persons in the work, or if they are under 16, the consent of their parent or guardian to grant the usage rights required by vietnamisawesome.com
- You have permission from the owners of the property shown in the work to grant the usage rights required by vietnamisawesome.com
- If your image is selected as a winner for its category you must also submit the original file
Vietnamisawesome.com reserves the right to cancel or amend the contest or the terms at any time without prior notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you stay informed and up to date with our terms so you are advised to read this page before entering this and or future contests.
Vietnamisawesome.com reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry that does not comply with any of the above, even after the entry is submitted on the competition website.
Vietnamisawesome.com respects photographers’ rights and does not claim copyright over images submitted to this contest, you the author retain full copyright in each entry. Whenever your image is published by vietnamisawesome.com or our partners you will be credited. Failure to publish a credit due to error or oversight shall not be deemed a breach of this condition.
By entering this contest, you agree that any images you submit may be used by vietnamisawesome.com or our partners solely for marketing and promotional purposes related to this contest or future contests. This includes displaying entries on the contest website, promoting the contests and the photographers, and cropping or resizing images as necessary to fit pre-defined formats.
Photos can be used online for marketing purposes with full credits (no commercial use). Printing of photos must be agreed upon with the photographers. The judge’s decision is final and they will not engage in communication regarding entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
All members of the Vietnam Is Awesome Private Community will have the chance to select one winner by an online vote at Vietnam Is Awesome Community. The Community Choice winner will be announced along with the category winners.
Each photographer can submit up to 5 photos for one category. Extras will not be reviewed.
Yes, basic editing is allowed, but over-manipulated images may be disqualified.
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Winners will be notified via email and announced on our website and social media channels.
No. Due to the large number of submissions, only the winners and runners-up of each category will be notified by email.
The timeline for photo submissions has passed.
Meet the Winners of the Vietnam Is Awesome Photo Contest 2024!
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Vietnam is Awesome Photo Contest 2024!
This year, we received an overwhelming number of stunning entries that truly captured the beauty and essence of Vietnam. Our judges had a challenging time selecting the best among the best, but we are excited to present the top photos and their talented photographers.
Our Winners
Winner of Architecture & Landscape
Nguyen Van Hai
- Photo Title: Preserving the Traditional Roof
- Date Taken: September 10, 2023
- Location: Hà Giang
- Equipment Type: Eos R6m2
The yin-yang tiled roof is one of the prominent features of the traditional architecture of the Hmong people in Hà Giang. When you set foot in the new rural villages, the two-layer yin-yang tiled roofs will catch your eye. This is an indispensable part of preserving and promoting the beauty of the traditional house.
The yin-yang tiles are arranged around the wooden columned house, creating a cozy and unique space. They are not only a protective covering against rain and sun but also a symbol of the connection between the inhabitants and nature.
When you visit Pả Vi commune or other areas in Hà Giang, pay attention to the beautiful yin-yang tiled roofs, rich in the culture of the Hmong people. They are a special mark, telling the story of the life and soul of the local community.
Winner of Hidden Gems
Pham Quoc Dat
- Photo Title: One Foot in the Grave
- Date taken: May 17, 2019
- Equipment Type: Canon EOS 5D, taken in Mai Dich, Hanoi
If you ask me what the hidden beauty is until the end of my life, I believe it is the features of the old lady. The gray hair, wrinkled skin, and age spots on her face show the respectable life of a person, a grandmother, a mother, a Vietnamese woman. Remembering the summer days, she waited for me to come home for dinner after school, that was a peaceful time and she loved me a lot.”
Winner of Culture & Local Life
Shibasish Saha
- Date taken: October 1, 2023
- Location: Hanoi
This photo, taken on October 1, 2023, in a vibrant area of Hanoi, Vietnam, features a flower seller riding her bicycle adorned with flowers. The colourful graffiti on the wall creates the illusion that the flowers are spilling out from it.
Our Runners-up
Winner of Architecture & Landscape
Vali Constantinescu
- Date Taken: December 28, 2022
- Location: Ho Chi Minh City
- Equipment Type: Samsung Mobile Phone
I took this photo at dawn in Ho Chi Minh City, from my balcony. I felt it symbolizes the fast development of this country but I also felt it looked so cute – like a family of cranes, just waking up in the morning. Ho Chi Minh City, Samsung mobile phone, 28.12.2022.
Winner of Hidden Gems
Chris Zhu
- Date taken: June 29, 2024
- Location: Nguyen Cong Tru street, District 1, HCM City
- Equipment Type: Iphone 13 Pro
The old and the new. In the background, an apartment building stands as a pre-war relic from the 50s, a testament to post-modernist design with brutalist Soviet influences blended with Vietnamese practicality. In front, the sleek offices of a modern bank sit, a fusion of concrete and marble. This juxtaposition captures the seamless blend of history and progress, where past and present coexist in striking harmony in Vietnam.
Winner of Culture & Local Life
Linh Nguyen
This photo was taken during my trip to Binh Thuan, South Central Vietnam. In addition to Hon Rom and Mui Ne, is so beautiful with sandy areas, coconut trees and rich seafood sources, there is also a specialty dish that if you haven’t enjoyed it, it’s considered as if you haven’t come to it yet, the soft thin vermicelli noodles. Not only is it a delicious dish, this is also a place that has preserved traditional baking methods over the years.
The soft thin vermicelli noodles oven of Mr. Le Van Chuong’s family, Phu Thinh neighborhood, Phu Long town, Ham Thuan Bac district, produces an average of 200kg – 250kg per day (from pure rice and without preservative additives), per day. The steps are very meticulous: choose good rice to soak overnight, wash it and then puree it. The dough is steamed for an hour, rolled into a cylindrical shape, then put into a press to form fibers, spread out on round bamboo trays and then steamed for 20 minutes.
