Vietnamese author wins international ocean photo award

Nguyen Ngoc Thien is the only Vietnamese author to win the "2023 International Ocean Photography" contest, categories Coral reefs around the world and Portraits of marine animals.

Hon Yen Coral Garden - second prize in the Coral Reefs in the World category. (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien).

The results of the contest were announced in early June by the ocean conservation organization Ocean Geographic Society (OGS) and Oceanography magazine Ocean Geographic (OG). Accordingly, photographer Nguyen Ngoc Thien is the only Vietnamese author with Photos won prizes, including second prize in the category "Coral reefs in the world" , with the work "Hon Yen Coral Garden" taken in Phu Yen waters and consolation prize in the category "Animal portrait" with The work "Puffer fish and plastic cup" was taken during a scuba diving trip to Nam Du archipelago, Kien Giang.

Vietnam currently has over 1,100km2 ^of coral reefs. Hon Yen is also home to a rich ecosystem both underwater and on land with high biodiversity. Research results in 2022 of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center (Ministry of Defense) recorded 22 species of coral belonging to 7 families at Hon Yen, many species were only recorded in the waters of Phu Yen province, typically are soft corals of the family Alcyoniidae and foraminiferal corals (genus Lobophytum).

"Coral photos become more impressive when capturing ocean waves that uniquely separate the landscape between two worlds - above water and underwater at the same time in the same frame, using the underwater split-shots technique" , Mr. Thien described the technique of taking the second prize-winning photo.

The work "Puffer fish and plastic cup" received a consolation prize in the Animal Portrait category. (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien)

The International Ocean Photography Contest is held annually, honoring the most impressive works related to the ocean, thereby conveying knowledge and spreading the message of preserving the ocean environment and ecosystem.

2023 is the 10th year the contest is held, including 17 photo categories: coral reefs around the world, marine animal behavior, portraits of marine animals or the relationship between humans and the ocean. Total The prize is worth 90,000 USD.