Vietnamese singer, Duc Phuc, won the grand prize at the inaugural Intervision Song Contest. The competition was held in Live Arena, Moscow on September 20, 2025.
Out of all the participating countries from around the globe, Phuc finished first with 422 points, ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Qatar in second and third place respectively.
According to CNN, the singer told reporters after the event that he had not expected to win. He said, “It’s a surprise to me that I’ve gained so many fans here … I’m very grateful to all the viewers.”
An Explosive Performance
Duc Phuc sang “Phu Dong Thien Vuong”, a blend of Viet Nam’s traditional culture and energetic, modern Asian pop sound.
The song, which translates to “Heavenly Prince of Phu Dong”, is composed by Ho Hoai Anh. It was inspired by the poem “Tre Viet Nam” by Nguyen Duy and the legend of Thanh Giong, a folktale about a king who repelled invaders with bamboo plants.
Duc Phuc’s stage performance involved choreography with backup dancers, a rap segment, and a colorful green and red projection of a giant solar eclipse.
Speaking to Steve Rosenberg, BBC’s editor in Moscow, Duc Phuc said that his song was his way to express Viet Nam’s culture to everyone.
"I need to share the culture of Vietnam with everyone," he said.
Who Is Duc Phuc?
Nguyen Duc Phuc, age 28, is one of the most popular musicians in Viet Nam. He debuted as the winner of the country’s The Voice competition in 2015, attracting the hearts of a new large fanbase.
Duc Phuc’s career has risen rapidly over the past few years. He has made record-breaking hits that topped national charts and earned millions of views on YouTube, such as “Hon Ca Yeu” and “Het Thuong Can Nho”.
In 2023, he released the English-Vietnamese bilingual single “Em Dong (I Do)”, where he collaborated with the legendary British pop group 911.
Although he is mostly notable for his emotive ballads, Duc Phuc has a diverse musical style that also covers pop, R&B, and EDM.
On July 14, Duc Phuc was announced as Viet Nam’s representative for Intervision. He was chosen by the Ministry of Culture after a strict selection that considered the candidates’ staging experiences, international musical trends, artistic achievements, and professional qualifications.
What Is The Intervision Song Contest?
The Intervision Song Contest was originally initiated by the International Organization of Radio and Television (OIRT). The show was held from 1965 to 1968, and from 1977 to 1980 before it was discontinued.
Intervision was revived on February 3 by the decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The revamped contest was directed to foster cooperation and promote traditional family values.
In an introductory video during the live show, Putin stated he confidently believed that the contest will be one of the most recognizable and beloved event globally. “… Through dialogue, mutual respect, and the strengthening of trust between cultures, we become spiritually richer,” he said.
This year’s edition featured entrants from 23 countries, including other main members of BRICS group: Brazil, India, China, and South Africa, as well as other invitees like Egypt, Venezuela and Cuba.
A Major Achievement for Southeast Asia’s Music Industry
Duc Phuc’s triumph was yet another milestone for the musical scene in Southeast Asia. The victory has opened opportunities for other artists of the region to promote local culture and to gain recognition at the global stage.
Read Also: Southeast Asian Musicians Who Are Conquering the World Stage.
References:
BBC. Russia's answer to Eurovision is less kitsch, more Kremlin. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cre5vv0x31po
CNN. Vietnam's Duc Phuc wins Intervision, Russia's Eurovision rival that promotes 'family values'. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/20/world/duc-phuc-intervision-russian-song-contest-latam-intl
intervision.world/en/
