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Craft Photography
Craft Photography

The Convergence of Heritage and Art

Behind every crafted artifact lies not merely technique, but the rhythm of a heartbeat and countless untold stories. With the desire to discover authentic and artistic perspectives, we invite you to join a journey to record and honor traditional techniques passed down through generations, and to celebrate the talented hands industriously breathing soul into every creation with all the passion and creativity of artisans around the world.

We believe that every photograph is not just a frame, but a bridge connecting the past and the future. Our vision extends beyond static images to seek the point of convergence between Heritage and Art, to find the pulse of life—where the artisan's soul and the essence of heaven and earth meet. Let your lens become the voice of heritage.

Eligibility: Open to both amateur and professional photographers globally.

Submission Period: January 1st – june 1st, 2026.

Exhibitions: August 28th - September 2nd 2026

Announcement of Winners: September 2nd , 2026.

The Vision: Beyond the Lens

Our mission is to document the intimate connection between the creator and the creation. We seek imagery that reveals the aesthetic beauty, cultural significance, and emotional resonance of global crafts. Whether it is a quiet moment in a mountain village or the vibrant energy of a modern workshop, your lens is the bridge between heritage and the world.

Photographers are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives through the following lenses:

The Rhythm of Creation
The Rhythm of Creation
Capturing the artistic labor journey—from the glow of the forge fire to the finest details in the workshop.
The Breath of the Craft Village
The Breath of the Craft Village
A panoramic view of the heritage space, where architecture and nature blend to nurture the craft villages.
The Human Soul of Craft
The Human Soul of Craft
Humanistic moments behind the scenes: a moment of rest, a smile while passing down the trade, or the contemplative gaze of the artisan.
The Soul of the Object
The Soul of the Object
Artistic still-life photography, depicting the quintessential beauty of the finished product.
The Cultural Bridge
The Cultural Bridge
Capturing the exchange, sharing of culture and techniques between craftsmen worldwide, where heritage becomes the common language of humanity.
The Artisan’s Hands
The Artisan’s Hands
Close-ups of time-worn calluses and the extraordinary dexterity as hands "breathe soul" into raw materials.

Awards & Prizes

Dedicated to the most outstanding work that fully depicts the spirit of "The Convergence of Heritage and Art" and the harmony of nature's essence.

  • Official Certificate of Merit from the Organizing Committee and international partners.
  • 01 International round-trip flight ticket to Vietnam.
  • 30-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and professional creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Featured in the special photobook "Beyond the Lens."
  • Online promotion for 01 year.

Honoring the work with the most excellent technical quality, lighting, and detail regarding the crafting process and the act of creation.

  • Official Certificate of Merit and feature in the "Beyond the Lens" photobook.
  • 10-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Equipment gifts from sponsoring camera brands and online promotion for 01 year.

(Sponsored by Camera Brand) Dedicated to the most impressive artisan portrait, capturing the charisma, passion, and the rhythm of the craftsman's soul.

  • Official Certificate of Merit and feature in the "Beyond the Lens" photobook.
  • 10-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Equipment gifts from sponsoring camera brands and online promotion for 01 year.

Honoring the work (or photo series) that most deeply portrays the connection between people, daily life in the craft village, and the continuation of heritage across generations.

  • Official Certificate of Merit and feature in the "Beyond the Lens" photobook.
  • 10-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Equipment gifts from sponsoring camera brands and online promotion for 01 year.

Dedicated to the best work depicting the exchange, sharing of skills, and cultural diversity among artisans worldwide.

  • Official Certificate of Merit and feature in the "Beyond the Lens" photobook.
  • 10-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Equipment gifts from sponsoring camera brands and online promotion for 01 year.

Encouraging young photographers (under 25 years old) to explore fresh, modern perspectives on traditional craft values.

  • Official Certificate of Merit and feature in the "Beyond the Lens" photobook.
  • 10-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Equipment gifts from sponsoring camera brands and online promotion for 01 year.

The work receiving the most love and viral spread on the official media platforms of the competition.

  • Official Certificate of Merit and feature in the "Beyond the Lens" photobook.
  • 10-Day Photography Residency Program: Covers all accommodation, travel, and creative support costs at Vietnamese craft villages.
  • Equipment gifts from sponsoring camera brands and online promotion for 01 year.

Competition Rules & Guides

Storytelling: Priority is given to documentary photography with an artistic perspective. Tell an authentic story, not just a product advertisement.

Authenticity: Respect the actual context of the workshop. AI-generated images or staged setups that distort the value of the heritage are not accepted

Post-processing: Basic adjustments (brightness, contrast, color) are permitted, but adding or removing objects that alter the original content is prohibited.

Entries will be evaluated by a Jury Panel consisting of cultural curators, elite artisans, and world-class photographers based on the following criteria:

Visual Storytelling (40%): Depth of content, ability to inspire, and depiction of the vivid "heartbeat" of the craft.

Composition and Originality (30%): Fresh, unique, and artistic perspectives on traditional themes.

Technical Excellence (20%): Mastery of lighting, focus, and professional post-processing skills while respecting image authenticity.

Authenticity and Cultural Sensitivity (10%): Sophistication and respect for heritage values as well as the artisan community being filmed (aligned with the UNESCO spirit).
 

The judging process consists of 03 rounds:

Preliminary Round: The Technical Committee checks the validity of the dossier, EXIF information, and compliance with post-processing/AI regulations.

Semi-Final Round: The Jury scores independently based on anonymous files (Blind Judging) to select the works for the Top 200 Exhibition.

Final Round: The Jury Panel holds focused discussions to select the winning works based on consensus and in-depth criteria.

Ownership: The author retains full copyright of the submitted work. The entrant must pledge that they are the sole owner of the work and bear legal responsibility for any disputes related to copyright, intellectual property rights, as well as personal rights regarding the subjects in the photo.

Organizer’s Usage Rights: By participating in the competition, entrants agree to grant the Organizing Committee the right to use the works in non-commercial activities to promote the competition and craft heritage. This includes, but is not limited to, display at exhibitions within the framework of the Global Craft Festival; posting on the website, social media channels, and media publications (online & offline) of the Organizing Committee; and use in press releases sent to domestic and foreign media agencies.

Special Publication: Winning and shortlisted works will be used for printing in the "Beyond the Lens" heritage photobook.

Other Uses: In the event that the Organizing Committee or partners wish to use the work for commercial purposes outside the scope of the competition, the Organizing Committee will contact the author directly to negotiate copyright and remuneration under a separate contract.

Photography Ethics: Entrants must ensure that photographing artisans and craft villages is conducted with consent, respecting dignity and local cultural ethical standards.

Entrants are requested to send their profiles to the Organizing Committee's portal, including:

  • Application Form (Online and PDF): According to the attached template.
  • Competition Entries: JPEG/TIFF format, minimum resolution of 300dpi.
  • Caption/Description: A short paragraph (maximum 150 words) telling the story or describing the artisan in the photo.
  • Photographer Profile: Short introduction (Bio) and link to Portfolio/CV..

Craft Photography

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