A Vietnamese national has won the top prize of a photo contest organized by the Asian Development Bank to showcase the development progress in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

Anh Dung Kieu bagged the US$500 prize for his photo depicting early morning trading at a floating market in the southern Vietnamese province of Soc Trang, the ADB announced on Tuesday.

The second prize of $200 went to Pitchayawat Proongsak from Thailand, while his countryman Saravut Whanset won the special prize of $100 for the entry that garnered the most likes on social media.

These winners have beaten more than 1,200 entries from nonprofessional photographers from ADB member countries in the contest that ran from January 8 to February 9.

A bridge connecting Thailand and Lao PDR. Photo: Pitchayawat Proongsak

The event was held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ADB-backed GMS Program, with submitted entries, accessible via the hashtag #GMS25, showing how daily life in the Mekong subregion has changed in the last 25 years.

Countries under the GMS program, which focuses on increased regional cooperation and integration for inclusive and sustainable development, include Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Established in 1992 with support from ADB, the GMS program helps the implementation of prioritized subregional projects in transport, energy, telecommunications, the environment, human resource development, tourism, trade, private sector investment, and agriculture.

As of 2017, ADB had approved $8.2 billion for 87 GMS loans and grants, while GMS member countries and development partners provided $5.5 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively.

Vietnam is scheduled to host the Sixth GMS Summit, themed “Leveraging on 25 years of cooperation, and building a sustainable, integrated, and prosperous GMS,” from March 29 to 31, with GMS countries’ leaders expected to endorse the Hanoi Action Plan 2018-2022.

A fisherman works at sunrise along the Mekong River in Thailand. Photo: Saravut Whanset

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!