The Intervision Song Contest 2025, a revived international music competition, culminated in a historic win for Vietnam, represented by pop star Duc Phuc. His triumph not only earned him the prestigious title but also cemented his status as a leading figure in Vietnamese music on the global stage.
The Road to Intervision Victory
Pre-Intervision: The Voice Champion
Nguyen Duc Phuc (born October 15, 1996) was already a major figure in V-pop (Vietnamese Pop) before heading to Moscow. His career launched in September 2015, when he won the third season of The Voice of Vietnam (Giọng hát Việt), coached by legendary singer My Tam. This marked his first major victory on an international format, and incredibly, the Intervision win happened exactly ten years to the day after his The Voice victory (September 20, 2015 vs. September 20, 2025).
The Transformation: Early in his career, Phuc received criticism regarding his appearance. In 2017, he underwent plastic surgery, a widely publicized event that transformed his image and was seen as a move to better align his visual presence with his powerful vocal talent.
Commercial Success: Post-transformation, Duc Phuc released a string of chart-topping hits and viral music videos, most notably the ballad "Hết Thương Cạn Nhớ" (More Than Love), with the MV becoming known for its beautiful depiction of a gay love story.
2. The Winning Strategy: "Phù Đổng Thiên Vương"
Duc Phuc's performance of "Phù Đổng Thiên Vương" (The Celestial King of Phù Đổng) secured the decisive victory.
A National Epic: The song is a theatrical and powerful blend of V-Pop, traditional Vietnamese folk music, and modern rap, inspired by the myth of Saint Giong, one of Vietnam's Four Immortals and a symbol of national resilience.
The Performance: The three-minute routine was a masterclass in stagecraft, featuring traditional Vietnamese elements like conical hats (nón lá) and a dramatic visual sequence climaxing with the image of Saint Giong ascending to the heavens. The rap verse was delivered in three languages: Vietnamese, English, and Russian, creating an immediate connection with the diverse international audience and jury.
The Score: Phuc's performance was overwhelmingly strong, earning him a final score of 422 points, an impressive 49 points ahead of the runner-up from Kyrgyzstan (373 points).
Life and Legacy After Intervision
A High-Value Victory
The win was significant both artistically and financially. Duc Phuc was awarded a crystal trophy and a prize of 30 million Russian Rubles, equivalent to approximately $360,000 USD.
Official Recognition: Upon his return to Vietnam, he was personally honored with a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Vietnam, who praised the win as a source of "collective pride for contemporary Vietnamese music and culture."
Spreading Vietnamese Culture
Duc Phuc embraced his role as a cultural ambassador.
Gifts of Friendship: He prepared 23 personalized conical hats for his fellow contestants, each featuring their national flag, as a gesture of Vietnamese hospitality and cultural exchange.
Charity: He immediately announced plans to donate a portion of his winnings to charity in both Russia and Vietnam (reportedly 1 billion VND domestically).
Current and Future Career Plans
The Intervision victory has fundamentally elevated his career:
International Collaborations: He has been approached by the Intervision organizers and other contestants to discuss potential concert tours across Russia and future musical collaborations.
New Album: Phuc is planning to release his first-ever studio album in 2026, marking his 10th anniversary in the music industry, with a focus on groundbreaking new compositions.
Role Model Status: Having achieved a major win on the global stage as an openly gay artist, his victory garnered significant international attention, especially given the contest's host country's political stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Duc Phuc now views his role as an artist as extending beyond music, focusing on being a positive role model and source of inspiration for the younger generation.
0 Comments