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Singer Duc Phuc's historic victory at the Intervision 2025 international music competition in Moscow, Russia, has made a significant mark on the global music map. Overcoming 22 talented artists from many countries, Duc Phuc brilliantly won the championship, bringing glory not only to himself but also to Vietnamese music. His distinctive performance of the song "Phu Dong Thien Vuong" has become a brilliant symbol, affirming the strength and integration of Vietnamese culture on the international stage.
Vietnam's representative – singer Duc Phuc – brilliantly won the championship with his explosive performance of "Phu Dong Thien Vuong".
"Phu Dong Thien Vuong": A symphony of tradition and modernity
The Intervision 2025 final, held at the Live Arena in Moscow, brought together 23 representatives from various countries, including prominent names from Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Cuba, China, and India. However, all eyes were on Duc Phuc's 20th performance. With meticulous preparation, he presented a performance titled "Phu Dong Thien Vuong," composed by musician Ho Hoai Anh and inspired by the immortal poem "Vietnamese Bamboo" by poet Nguyen Duy.
Duc Phuc made history by winning a prize of over 9 billion VND in a music competition in Russia.
Duc Phuc's performance was a bold and sophisticated blend of traditional folk music and modern music like rap. Beginning with familiar verses about bamboo, a symbol of the nation's vitality and resilience, the performance led the international audience into a proud story about Saint Giong. The entire stage was meticulously set up with lighting effects, choreography, and props that were distinctly Vietnamese, such as conical hats and woven mats. In particular, the rap segment, performed in three languages—Vietnamese, English, and Russian—conveyed a powerful message: "Today we make history together," creating a deep connection with the global audience.
The song conveys a message about the vitality, willpower, and resilience of the Vietnamese people to international friends.
Russian commentator Yana Churikova didn't hesitate to say: "This is one of the most elaborate performances at Intervision this year. I'm impressed by Duc Phuc's discipline and dedication." The meticulous investment in music, visuals, and costumes helped the performance both honor traditional culture and be relatable and accessible to international audiences.
Duc Phuc and his dance troupe opened their performance with a poem titled "Vietnamese Bamboo" by poet Nguyen Duy: "Green bamboo, green since when?/ The story of the past already had a green bamboo grove..."
With his outstanding performance, Duc Phuc completely convinced the international judges. The final score was overwhelming when he achieved 422 points, far surpassing runner-up Nomad Trio (Kyrgyzstan) with 373 points and Dana Al Meer (Qatar) with 369 points. This victory earned Duc Phuc the prestigious crystal trophy and a cash prize of 30 million rubles (equivalent to 360,000 USD, over 9 billion Vietnamese dong), one of the largest prizes in the history of the competition.
From the image of the resilient bamboo tree, the performance leads the audience to the symbol of Saint Gióng riding his iron horse flying to heaven.
The moment Duc Phuc emotionally stated, "It's a great honor to be standing here," along with the image of the Vietnamese flag fluttering on the giant LED screen, became one of the most emotionally charged highlights of the final night. His victory was not only a source of personal pride but also a testament to the creativity, courage, and strong integration of Vietnamese music into the international arena.
A brilliant mark of Vietnam's foreign relations culture.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Duc Phuc's victory is not only a historic moment for contemporary music but also a brilliant mark of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong stated that the selection of Duc Phuc was based on strict criteria regarding performance experience, ability to inspire, and a song that embodies national identity while still aligning with international trends. Duc Phuc fully met these criteria.
Duc Phuc emotionally said: “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the team and to the audience who have accompanied and supported me throughout this journey. The moment I held the Intervision 2025 trophy and saw the Vietnamese flag flying, I felt incredibly proud and happy. This is the motivation for me to continue creating and contributing to the music of my country.”
Success at Intervision 2025 has proven the effectiveness of international cooperation, opening doors for Vietnamese music and identity to reach a global audience and contributing to the internationalization of Vietnamese culture. Building on his foundation as one of the most prominent young singers in Vietnamese showbiz, having won The Voice Vietnam 2015 under the guidance of singer My Tam, Duc Phuc has continuously strived, matured, and shone on the international stage.
Duc Phuc's victory is considered a significant milestone, affirming the position of Vietnamese music on the international stage.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin stated when welcoming the participating artists: "Culture and music know no borders." Duc Phuc's success has affirmed the talent of young Vietnamese artists, and moreover, it is proof of the unifying power of art. This serves as motivation for other young Vietnamese artists to continue creating and contributing, bringing the most beautiful aspects of the country to the world.
