USSH Student makes the top 10 of ASEAN Photo Competition
A photo of Đray H’linh Hydropower Plant by Võ Minh Thắng on renewable energy.
Minh Thắng’s project, “Greenting from Vietnam”, aims to promote the values of renewable energy sources while calling for cooperation from Southeast Asian countries to utilize this energy resource.
Missions of the youth
In his presentation, Minh Thắng expressed the significance of renewable energy sources in creating a smart and green ASEAN community. Vietnam has attracted a good amount of investment in mass-installing solar panels, and at this pace, Vietnam’s renewable energy can contribute up to 23% of ASEAN’s total energy sources by 2025.
However, he believes implementing a renewable power plant requires a large amount of land and forests, which would have a huge impact on its biodiversity and inhabitants. On the other hand, regional trade barriers are inhibiting the transfer of technology. ASEAN is still facing challenges like disparities in expertise, funds, and level of technologies between its member countries.
To back up his argument, he took photos of three renewable energy works, including Binh Thanh Wind Power Plant (Binh Thuan Province), Dray H’linh Hydropower plant (partly located in Dak Lak province, partly located in Dak Nong province), and Solar street lights at Dorm B – VNU-HCM (Binh Duong province).
However, he keeps wondering whether renewable energy sources can outweigh fossil energy sources in terms of economic efficiency, and would these projects be able to survive climate changes.
Vietnam youth and ASEAN, in his opinion, should join hands in this matter by spreading knowledge about the significance of renewable energy sources (e.g., hydro, wind, or solar energy) to the public, as well as calling for people’s participation.
“We have sufficient manpower, now we need to raise the awareness of renewable energy; that is an honorable mission of our youth,” he further commented.
Solar street lights at Dorm B - Vietnam National University, HCM City.
Stepping outside the comfort zone
It was not until the last two weeks of the submission phase when Minh Thắng learned of this contest. When reading the themes, he came up with keywords like “renewable energy”, “the youth” and “Vietnam”, so he prepared three presentations and some photoshoots. But something still felt missing. He decided to start over and shoot three renewable power plants at three different locations.
It was his first solo trip, and thanks to his friends, he overcame many difficulties to complete the photoshoot. He considered that trip an opportunity to finally step outside his comfort zone.
And when the results came in, he was astonished since he made it in the top 10.
Frederic Lezmi, a judge at the finale, commented that his concept and layout are beautifully-executed, while the message conveyed is quite thought-provoking.
Minh Thắng shared that while he couldn’t make the top 3, he had memorable experiences with ASEAN Photo Competition 2021 and it fueled his motivation to spread Greenting from Vietnam’s message to the public.
He also encouraged young people to step outside their own comfort zone and participate in large competitions to learn and level up. Starting with spreading meaningful messages, the youth can step by step become the change for a better society.
ASEAN Photo Competition is an international contest by the ASEAN Foundation to help raise awareness of social issues, such as population, environment, and education.
This year’s theme is “ASEANYouth Shaping the Vision of Sustainable Energy as the New Normal”. The three most excellent candidates were given the opportunity to join the 39th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting 2021.
Source: Tuoi Tre
Translator: Như Quỳnh Lý
