Hanoi has been facing with environment pollution in general and air pollution in particular during its development process.

A "Cleaner air – better life" photo contest funded by Swiss-Vietnamese Clean Air Program (SVCAP) was presided by Vietnam Environment Protection Agency (VEPA), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The contest aimed at contributing to the mitigation of air pollution caused by human activities. The organizer’s intention is to make public aware of the air pollution problems so as to take practical actions to protect the ambient air. The contest has been being taken place in the period of three months from January to March 2007.

After more than 3 months from launching, there were 118 photographers participating with 511 photos reflecting truthfully negative and positive behaviors in regards to air pollution. Swiss-Vietnamese Clean Air Program (SVCAP) and Vietnam Environmental Protection Agency (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) announced and awarded prizes for the contest’s participants on 24 April, 2007.

The jury had selected the first prize winning photo taken by Mr. Tran Minh, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes and 8 consolation prizes. The organizer revealed that Swiss-Vietnamese Clean Air Program would fund for the first photo library on air pollution using those from the contest. These photos would be used in media campaign on ambient air protection.

Winners:

• Environmental pollution in Lang – Hoa Lac highway, by Tran Minh (The First Prize)
• Garbage burning, by Quang Phung (The Second Prize)
• Photo set on air pollution problems and solutions, by Mai Tuyet Lan (The Second Prize)
• Smoke from domestic briquette burning, by Trang Dung (The Third Prize)
• Going to school in an polluted air, by Thanh Thuy (The Third Prize)
• Fashion for the age of pollution, by Duy Tuong (The Third Prize)

Sources:

1. Minh Vien. For a cleaner air. Environmental Protection Magazine, 1/2007. http://www.nea.gov.vn/tapchi/sotc.asp?sotc=1/2007

2. "Cleaner air, better life" photo contest awarding. 24/04/2007. http://www.monre.gov.vn/MONRENET/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=25794

3. "Cleaner air, better life" winning photos. 26-04-2007. http://www.thiennhien.net/news/150/ARTICLE/1914/2007-04-26.html

Winning entries:

Environmental pollution in Lang – Hoa Lac highway, by Tran Minh (The First Prize)

Garbage burning, by Quang Phung (The Second Prize)

Photo set on air pollution problems and solutions, by Mai Tuyet Lan (The Second Prize)

Smoke from domestic briquette burning, by Trang Dung (The Third Prize)

Going to school in an polluted air, by Thanh Thuy (The Third Prize)

Fashion for the age of pollution, by Duy Tuong (The Third Prize)