A beautiful photo of a Vietnamese grandmother sewing next to her great-grandchild has won a top prize in the 2025 National Geographic Traveller (UK) Photo Contest.
The photo was taken in Lào Cai, Vietnam. It shows a Red Dao woman working on embroidery under a small lamp. Her little great-granddaughter sits quietly beside her. The moment is full of love and peace.
This photo won first place in the People category. The photographer is Justin Cliffe from the UK. He took the picture during his trip to a Red Dao village in Vietnam.
The judges said: “Embroidery is a tradition in the Red Dao community. This photo shows the strong bond between old and young. The light and colors are soft and full of feeling.”
The contest is held every year. It is now in its 12th year. Many photographers from the UK and Ireland joined the competition. There were six categories: People, Landscape, Wildlife, Food, Urban Life, and Portfolio.
This photo helps people around the world see the beauty of Vietnamese culture. It also shows how important family and tradition are.
The National Geographic Traveller (UK) Photo Contest is one of the most prestigious travel photography competitions in the UK. Each year, it celebrates the power of storytelling through imagery, offering glimpses into diverse lives and landscapes around the globe. Both professional and amateur photographers are encouraged to share personal perspectives on culture, nature, and daily life.
In the Landscape category, an aerial image of a geothermal lake in Iceland stood out for its surreal beauty. The deep blue water, encircled by rings of colorful minerals, resembled a dragon’s eye. Judges described it as “mesmerizing and thought-provoking.”
In the Wildlife category, a rare and powerful photo captured a dramatic encounter between a fox and a Bonelli’s eagle in Toledo, Spain. The moment of confrontation, with its striking composition and intense energy, was praised for its perfect timing and emotional depth.
In the Portfolio category, two projects left a lasting impression. One, by photographer Joshua, takes viewers on a visual journey from the dense jungles of Nepal to the tidal landscapes surrounding Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, and finally to the quiet streets of a historic town. Each frame evokes a sense of time pausing, inviting reflection and stillness.
Together, these winning entries go beyond technical mastery—they reflect sensitivity, storytelling, and a profound connection to the subject. They remind us that some of the most powerful stories are told through quiet imagery, where beauty, tradition, and humanity converge in every frame.
Source: National Geographic Traveller
