A moving portrait of a Dao ethnic woman sewing beside her granddaughter inside a dimly lit, smoke-filled home in Lao Cai, Vietnam, has claimed the top prize in the 2025 National Geographic Traveller (UK) Photography Competition.
Photographer Justin Cliffe and his award-winning image. Screenshot: CNN Travel

Captured by British photographer Justin Cliffe during his travels in Vietnam, the image was selected from thousands of submissions. The judging panel praised it as “a moment between generations that captures both beauty and deep humanity.”

“The balance of color, light, and texture is beautifully composed,” judges added in the press release issued on May 29.

According to National Geographic, embroidery is a skill passed down through generations within the Red Dao community in Vietnam. The winning portrait is one of six awarded across different categories, including landscape, people, wildlife, food, urban life, and photo series.

“Our competition continues to grow in strength, and this year was truly one of the most impressive yet,” said Pat Riddell, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Two other winning photographs from the competition. Photo: CNN Travel

“From the dramatic landscapes of Iceland and Italy to gripping wildlife encounters in Spain and Canada, the 18 finalists - handpicked from thousands of entries - elevated the craft of travel photography with their creativity and skill,” Riddell added.

Other winning entries include a mesmerizing image of a geothermal lake in Iceland resembling an eye, a candid moment inside a Tibetan family-run eatery, and a dramatic encounter between a Bonelli’s eagle and a fox in Spain.

This annual competition celebrates outstanding travel photography from around the globe, featuring submissions by both amateur and professional photographers from the UK and Ireland.

Do An