After a month chasing whales off the coast of Gia Lai, photographer Nguyen Ngoc Thien captured a breathtaking moment that won him the top prize in the 2025 Heritage Journey photo contest.

Every year, Bryde’s whales return to the waters off Quy Nhon, offering unforgettable experiences for nature lovers and photographers alike.

According to young photographer Nguyen Ngoc Thien, just a few months ago, a rare event occurred when a pod of whales ventured unusually close to shore and lingered for a week. Along with several other photographers, he took weekend trips out to sea to capture these elusive moments.

To secure the perfect shot, Thien made multiple journeys over the span of a month. Some days were plagued by rough seas and bad weather, while others offered radiant sunrises. On one spectacular day, the conditions aligned and Thien captured a stunning series of images. He submitted the photo set to the "Heritage - Journey of the Legacy 2025" contest and won the Special Prize in the Travel - Landscape category.

After more than four months of submissions, the awards ceremony and final exhibition for the "Heritage - Journey of the Legacy 2025" photography contest took place on the afternoon of September 26 at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

This marks the 11th season of the contest, organized by Heritage magazine. This year’s edition drew participation from 180 photographers who submitted 445 photo sets  -  an increase of 34 sets (or 108.3%) compared to the 2024 competition.

Entries focused on themes such as nature, tangible and intangible heritage, traditional customs, and contemporary life, all captured through creative perspectives.

The photo series “Following the trail of Bryde’s whales off the coast of Nhon Ly” by Nguyen Ngoc Thien won the Special Prize in the Travel - Landscape category.

Though photography is only a side passion for Thien, who works as an engineer, his underwater shots have earned him national acclaim. At last year’s contest in 2024, his work Emerald gem in the ocean won in the Special Techniques category.

Thien explained that he’s long been fascinated by underwater photography, and this recent whale encounter in Nhon Ly, Gia Lai, was his most striking yet. A similar whale sighting happened in 2022, but this one drew even more attention  -  not just from photographers, but also from journalists who accompanied boats out to sea.

To capture the exact moment a whale surfaced, Thien used a Sony camera equipped with two super-telephoto lenses  -  one with a focal length of 100-400mm and another reaching up to 800mm. Thanks to his gear, he secured high-quality images that hold both scientific and artistic value.

In addition to Thien’s winning entry, the jury selected nine other outstanding photo sets for awards. According to Nguyen Xuan Chinh, newsworthiness, technical effort, and artistic merit were the key judging criteria.

In the Special Techniques category, Moment of a kingfisher hunting by Bui Trong Nghia won the VAPA Bronze Medal, impressing the jury with its macro photography and vibrant action.

Other categories  -  Culture and Heritage, and Lifestyle and Portraiture  -  were marked by meticulously composed entries that showcased cultural depth and traditional customs. These visual journeys not only tested photographers’ skills but also promoted the beauty of Vietnam’s wilderness and raised awareness about ocean conservation.

The "Heritage - Journey of the Legacy 2025" contest celebrates the beauty of Vietnam’s land and people through artistic imagery. It features four main categories: Culture - Heritage, Travel - Landscape, Lifestyle - Portraiture, and Special Techniques.

The final judging round was held in early August 2025. The jury included Tran Thi Thu Dong, President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists; representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and renowned photographers Nguyen Xuan Chinh, Pham Van Ty, and Ly Hoang Long.

The exhibition runs until October 6, 2025, at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

Some awarded works from the contest:

Hoang Ha