The 2014 Canon Photo Marathon Vietnam – Asia’s largest of its kind – took place in Hanoi on Saturday and will be brought to Ho Chi Minh City next weekend.

A photography competition first started by Canon Singapore in 2003, its edition in Vietnam welcomes all local and expat photographers, whether professional or not.

It is a whole-day contest meant to nurture passion for photography in all camera users who are required to take theme-based photos during the day.

The first leg of the competition, in its 9th year in Vietnam, was held on Friday at the capital city’s Quan Ngua Stadium.

The second is set to take place at the southern city’s Military Zone 7 Stadium at 202 Hoang Van Thu Street, Phu Nhuan District on October 4.

On the competition day, contestants will each receive three assignments and have three hours to complete each of them.

They have to hand in their works in each assignment to the organizer right after finishing them, before receiving the next assignment.

Artworks most indicative of creativity and closeness to the topics will win prizes.

This year’s competition, which aims to accentuate Vietnam’s natural and cultural charm, is expected to draw 10,000 contestants, the largest number so far.

The jury includes three internationally-wining photographers, including local photography artist Maika Elan, who won a prize from the World Press Photo Foundation in 2012.

The winner will be awarded an EOS 700D kit 18-55, Canon Pixma MG2570 Photo Printer, and a free trip to Japan.

The runner-up and certificate of merit recipients will be presented with an EOS kit and Canon photo printer of other lines.

The 2014 Canon Photo Marathon Vietnam is the largest of such a contest in Asia, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

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