Students take the metro, capture 'city portrait' through the lens

Instead of 'working' in the school yard or familiar locations, students in Ho Chi Minh City experienced the metro in the final round of the Tuoi Xanh 2025 photo contest.

Students create photos from metro - Photo: NGUYEN CONG THANH

This morning, March 28, more than 200 middle and high school students from all districts entered the final round of the Youth Photo Contest 2025.

This year's theme is "Portrait of my city - from a young perspective", with a special highlight being the journey to experience metro line 1 in the final round.

The journey starts from Ben Thanh station and ends at Thao Dien station, where children are free to move, observe, and record scenes depicting modern urban life.

"This is my first time taking the metro. Everything is so new, from the light inside the train to the way people interact with the space. I like the moment when the train leaves the station the most, the light from the window passes by creating a very cinematic effect," said Tran Ngoc Minh Dat, a student at Tri Duc Secondary and High School (Tan Phu).

Students working from Ben Thanh station to Thao Dien station - Photo: NGUYEN CONG THANH

The atmosphere at Thao Dien station in the morning was filled with energy. Many groups of students discussed camera angles, selected subjects, and adjusted the lighting... with the spirit of enthusiastic young photographers. Although the shooting time was not long, each contestant tried to quickly capture each unique moment.

"I chose to take a photo of an old lady sitting and waiting on the sidewalk near the station, with a high-rise apartment building in the background. I wanted to show the intersection between old and new, traditional and modern in the city I live in. Taking photos makes me observe more closely, see the things I used to miss every day," said Thien Khoa, a student at Nguyen Thi Huong Secondary School (Nha Be).

According to the organizers, the contest is not only an opportunity for students to express their passion for photography, but also an opportunity for students to practice their ability to perceive space, tell stories through images, as well as learn how to become more attached to the city they are growing up in.

"Today's trip helped me change my perspective on the city. There are ordinary things like pedestrians, buses, and signs that become special when placed in the frame. I didn't think taking photos would make me observe life so closely," said Thanh Long, a student at Nguyen Hue Secondary School (District 11).

Students seek new perspectives of Ho Chi Minh City from metro experience - Photo: TRONG NHAN

More than 200 students compete in the Youth Green photo contest

This year, the Youth Photography Contest recorded a record number of entries in the preliminary round, up to 17,271 works from thousands of middle and high school students, an increase of nearly 40% compared to last year.

The judges commented that many works not only had good compositions but also clearly demonstrated the spirit of exploration, creativity and genuine emotions of young people towards the city.

More than 200 students have been selected to enter the final round, held today, March 28.

The final round results and awards ceremony are expected to be held in April 2025.

Outstanding works will be exhibited in public places to spread students' fresh, humane and lively perspectives on Ho Chi Minh City - a city that is transforming strongly in the era of smart urban areas.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-sinh-di-metro-ghi-lai-chan-dung-thanh-pho-qua-ong-kinh-20250328114045498.htm