Vietnamese artists' reputation in the international music arena
From Duc Phuc's historic victory at the recent Intervision Song Contest 2025, reflecting on the brilliant marks of many young artists in the past 5 years, we not only witnessed the success of a few individuals but also clearly saw the breakthrough prospects of Vietnamese music, carrying with it national identity and the desire to integrate to affirm its position on the world music map.
Artistic imprintyoung officer
In just a few short years, Vietnamese music has had memorable moments on the international stage. Most recently, on September 20, young singer Duc Phuc won the championship at the Intervision Song Contest 2025 in the Russian Federation. With the song "Phu Dong Thien Vuong" (composed by musician Ho Hoai Anh, inspired by the poem "Vietnamese Bamboo" by author Nguyen Duy and the legend of Thanh Giong), he not only conquered the judges with his voice and technique, but also impressed international audiences with the images of Vietnamese culture: green bamboo, conical hats, the legend of Thanh Giong... All were vividly recreated in a performance that was both modern and imbued with national spirit.
The moment Duc Phuc won the championship was not only the joy of a singer but also a source of pride for all, as written in the congratulatory and commendation letter that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent to the male singer, because "Vietnam's participation for the first time at the Intervision 2025 international music competition, which returned after more than 40 years of interruption, conveyed the message of solidarity and friendship when "music overcomes all disagreements to unite peoples around the world". That victory is like an affirmation that Vietnamese music is no longer on the sidelines, but is stepping into the center of the global art flow.
Before Duc Phuc, many Vietnamese artists also gradually expanded their influence. Chi Pu appeared on the show.Sister Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves 2023in China. Although controversial, her presence in a popular entertainment show in the region shows her spirit of dedication and desire to go beyond her comfort zone. Chi Pu's training efforts and adaptability have helped her gradually make her mark, so that international audiences have begun to recognize a V-pop face full of personality.
Next, Phuong My Chi, from the image of a "folk girl" emerging from a talent search contest on television, has also had a remarkable journey. In recent years, she has brought folk music mixed with pop and R&B to small international stages and Vietnamese communities abroad. At the end of July, the young and dynamic singer also tried her best to compete and won third place in the final round of the Asian music competition "Sing! Asia". At the age of twenty, Phuong My Chi's choice to retain the Southern folk music in composing and performing, combined with a modern breath, shows a progressive musical mindset, not losing her roots, but also not closed to global trends.
Not only on famous competition stages, but also on the internet, with Spotify, YouTube platforms... many Vietnamese artists have also made remarkable achievements. In previous years, Son Tung M-TP continuously "made waves" on online platforms with MVs reaching tens of millions of views, bringing V-pop closer to regional audiences. Singers Vu, Vu Cat Tuong, HIEUTHUHAI, Duong Domic... appeared in the official rankings announced by IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). And Hoa Minzy, a female artist who won the hearts of many fans, also reached the top 1 of YouTube trending globally with the MV Bac Bling...
Those achievements, if viewed separately, may just be individual highlights, but placed in the overall picture, they show an important shift in which Vietnamese music has begun to have a position, a voice, and is mentioned on the "big stages" of the world.
Tradition and Modernity: The Key to Success
What has helped Vietnamese artists make an impression? The answer lies in the subtle blend of traditional identity and modern musical language.
The recent case of Duc Phuc is a clear example. If he had only sung a pure pop song, he could have blended in with many other performances; but when he put the story of Saint Giong into a contemporary musical structure, combining Vietnamese cultural images with modern stage effects, he created a difference. It is this combination that helps international audiences feel the freshness, curiosity, and admiration for a Vietnam rich in identity.
Not only Duc Phuc, many other artists also follow this direction. Phuong My Chi is a prominent name for her persistent choice to combine folk and modern materials in her performances. Similarly, Hoa Minzy also tirelessly experiments and creates on the basis of distilling the quintessence of traditional culture and art. These efforts show that identity is not a barrier, but on the contrary, it is the "identity card" that helps Vietnamese music stand out in the vast ocean of global music.
In addition to the identity factor, the meticulous investment of the artists is also what makes the overall strength of the performance on stage. Vietnamese artists today have a production team, stylist, stage director, lighting technician... accompanying them. Each performance is prepared as a complete work of art, comparable to international standards. This is a big difference compared to many decades ago, when Vietnamese artists still faced many limitations in terms of funding and technology, often "single-handedly" "bringing the bell to strike foreign lands".
If we analyze the “key” to the success of Vietnamese artists in recent times, we cannot help but mention their national pride. When carrying the flag and colors of Vietnam to the world, Vietnamese artists do not only compete for themselves, but also realize that they represent the whole country. Perhaps, that creates a strong source of energy, making each performance contain a profound and explosive spirit?
That success also stems from the courage of the young generation. Without artists who dare to experiment and break out of their comfort zone, it would be difficult to have any mark that is powerful enough to spread. It is the desire to conquer and the spirit of constant creativity that has created the momentum for Vietnamese music in the context of integration.
Today's success is not the final destination, but only the beginning, but it is enough to ignite the belief that Vietnamese music can go further, more firmly in the global flow. In the context of digital technology breaking down border barriers, a Vietnamese song can be heard in many countries overnight, if it is of sufficient quality and different. The victories on stages like Intervision, millions of views on YouTube, appearances on international charts... are all the first bricks that build the image of Vietnamese music on the world map. The important thing now is that each artist must always be aware of maintaining their identity, continuing to create and improve the quality of their products.
If we consider the victories of Duc Phuc, Phuong My Chi, Hoa Minzy… as just a temporary phenomenon, Vietnamese music will soon be forgotten; but if we turn them into motivation for a whole generation of artists to follow, for producers to boldly invest, for management agencies to have long-term strategies, then the path to integration of Vietnamese music will become increasingly open.
And on that path, the young generation of artists - those who are not afraid to experiment, are ready to create, and are brave enough to break through - are the vanguard. They carry not only personal aspirations, but also a common dream: Bringing Vietnamese music to sing loudly, in harmony with the world while still preserving the national soul. It is possible to imagine a not-too-distant future, when in major music festivals, international audiences not only listen to K-pop or J-pop, but also wait for the appearance of V-pop. At that time, every Vietnamese melody that rings out will not only be music, but also a greeting from a country proud of its identity.