East photo competition #1: Staff favourites •1 min read Image If you follow our blogs on Japan and Burma, you might remember seeing posts about our favourite entries to our first-ever photo competition. The theme was "water", and we received all kinds of wonderful submissions from across Asia, ranging from lakes and paddy fields to water fights and festivals. The lucky winner was Adrian Furner, whose image of cormorant fishermen on the Katsura River won him a free luxury holiday to Japan!Of course there can only ever be one winner, and there were lots of beautiful photos that didn't make the final cut. Below are some of our favourites, taken across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Scroll to the bottom of the page for details of our current competition and how you can enter!Image Thomas Taylor | Rice field workers in Hoi An, VietnamImage Joanne Marson| A romantic moment on the river in Hoi AnImage Nick Board | A long series of bamboo pipes provide water and power from the adjacent Cat Cat river, Sapa, Vietnam.Image Judith Hutcheson | Children playing in the water at dusk at Srah Srang, CambodiaImage Joanne Marson | Peek-a-boo! Hoi AnImage Nick Stefanelli | A blessing taking place at a Buddhist Monastery in Siem Reap, CambodiaImage Nick Board | People shelter from the rain in Hue. Vietnam.Image Judith Hutcheson | A friendly wave in the rain from the children of a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia.Image Joanne Marson | Traditional musicians crossing the river in My Son, VietnamImage Nadir Ahmed | Pi Mai/Songkran (New Year) celebrations in Luang Prabang, Laos. A young girl throws water at passers-by. The pouring of water represents the washing away of the previous year's sins.Interested in entering one of our competitions? If you're a budding poet, you'll love our current haiku competition, which could win you a fantastic set of high-quality Japanese cooking goodies from Japan Centre. Just click here to download our free magazine for details of how to enter. Speak with a destination specialistFriendly, dedicated people who care as much about your trip as you do.Get in touchDownload a brochure Share thisfacebooktwitterlinkedinemail You may also like Vietnam Field notes: From Pu Bin to Pu Luong – Vietnam’s rural reaches Travel writer Dan Stables recounts his recent trip to Pu Bin and Pu Luong, in the Mai Chau hills of Vietnam. Vietnam Field notes: A visit to the Con Dao islands By Lorna Parkes – executive editor, National Geographic Traveller While the southern island of Phu Quoc has become a regular feature on Vietnam itineraries, there’s an archipelago even further south that still hardly gets a look in: Con Dao. There are 16 islands in this small group, but only one that’s inhabited... South Korea Four destinations to visit in 2025 if you’re looking for a cultural adventure Looking for inspiration for your next cultural adventure? Our team of travel experts have rounded up four destinations we’re excited about in 2025. Places alive with energy, culture, and slices of local life you should experience this year if, for you, time away from the norm is not an option, but a necessity...