The United Nations in Viet Nam Launches UN75 Photo Exhibition – The Future I Want Illustrating the Challenges and Hopes of Vietnamese People

In 2020, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations launched UN75 Initiative with a goal to seize 2020 as a momentum to listen closer to people’s voices and wants regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or background and to shape together the future we want. The UN75 Photo Contest was part of UN75 Initiative activities in Viet Nam to encourage photographers to show the future they want in the format of photography.

“The UN75 Photo Contest is the highlight of this year’s UN75 commemorations in Viet Nam especially when Viet Nam is also celebrating its 75th anniversary of independence. The photos remind us on the role of the United Nations to convene discussions, advocate for policies and bring communities together for a better future that is equal, just and inclusive for people in Viet Nam.” said Mr. Kamal Malhotra, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Viet Nam.

Launched in July 2020, the UN75 Photo Contest called for submissions on 6 themes: inclusive education, climate change and environment, gender equality, good health and healthy life, decent work, and youth engagement for meaningful activities while encouraging photos of COVID-19 in Viet Nam. Within one month, the UN received nearly 1,000 photo submissions from across Viet Nam and from photographers of all ages among which 49 photos will be exhibited at Vietnam Women’s Museum.

Ms. Elisa Fernandez Saenz, Representative of UN Women Viet Nam, a member of the judging panel said “It’s always enlightening and refreshing to engage with photographers to learn more about the challenges they see and aspirations they have for the future. The photo contest is a fantastic opportunity to visualize perspectives of Vietnamese people on their needs and dreams for the future they want.”

Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu, the winner of the People’s Choice Award, shared the story behind his photo "Drawing Dream": "My work 'Drawing dream' captures the moment of a boy and his father with both arms amputated trying to draw pictures of hands - which is also his dream. People are born to live, to rise up and to engage with the community. Each of us has a dream and a desire. There are many people with disabilities in Vietnam, but due to stereotypes and stigma, they are often not valued as ordinary people. Through my camera lens, I want to show that everyone deserves to dream. That is the purpose of life and also the future that I want.”

The exhibition is open for public from 14 until 22 October 2020 at Vietnam Women’s Museum (36 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi) and on Online Exhibition corner on the website of Vietnam Women’s Museum. The museum is open from 8am until 5pm every day.

Note to editors

The winners of the UN75 Photo Contest – The Future I Want

1st Place Winner: Nguyễn Thanh Cường

Continuing the dream: The father made a football goal post to train his son to continue the dream that he couldn't achieve.

2nd Place Winner: Hồ Anh Tiến

Happy old age: This elderly couple is over 80 years old but still healthy and lucid thanks to a very moderate and hygienic life.

3rd Place Winner: Phạm Quốc Hưng

Father's joy in the vaccination day: Equality - Share family responsibilities with women. Men are becoming more aware of the time they spend sharing responsibilities and health care work during the day of vaccination. They build happiness through work that are shared with the woman in the family. The woman's happiness was multiplied many times when she saw her husband, the father, proudly holding their baby in public.

People’s Choice Award Winner: Nguyễn Trung Hiếu

Drawing Dream: An amputated Father is drawing his hands – which is also his dream.