Two of the winners (C) of the photo contest honoring Vietnam's sea and islands.

The contest, which received nearly 6,000 entries, was organized to promote the aspiration of developing a prosperous, happy country, and affirm Vietnam's determination to defend its independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education, said that agencies need to guide artistic activities in line with the Party's guidelines and the State’s policies.

"We need to encourage artists to produce more valuable works  serving the nation’s political goals. Marine research should create a foundation for the efficient exploitation of marine resources," he said.

The photo contest, hosted by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education, and open to amateur and professional photographers throughout the country, takes place every two years.