Vietnam’s Duc Phuc made history this past Saturday night, winning the revived Intervision Song Contest in Moscow with his captivating performance of ‘Phu Dong Thien Vuong’. The song, a unique blend of rap and traditional Vietnamese folk music, tells the legendary tale of the mythical hero Thanh Giong. Its powerful message and innovative sound clearly resonated with the judges and audience alike.
Phuc’s victory was a resounding one, earning him a remarkable 422 points, significantly ahead of the second-place finishers, the Nomad Trio from Kyrgyzstan (373 points), and Qatar’s Dana Al Meer (369 points). In a surprising turn of events, Russia’s representative, Shaman (Yaroslav Dronov), unusually requested that the jury not vote for him, stating that Russia’s hosting of the event itself was a victory. The competition, held at Moscow’s Live Arena, featured 22 countries from across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, showcasing a truly global celebration of music and culture.
Following his triumph, Phuc shared his plans to donate a portion of his 30 million-ruble prize (approximately $358,000) to charitable causes in Russia. The 28-year-old artist, currently learning Russian, also expressed his desire to collaborate with Russian musicians in the future, highlighting the unifying power of music across borders.
Phuc’s journey to the top of the Intervision stage is an inspiring one. He rose to fame after winning the Vietnamese version of The Voice in 2015 and has since established himself as a leading artist in his home country. The Intervision Song Contest itself holds a significant historical context, having been a popular competition during the Soviet era (1965-1968 and 1977-1980). Its revival this year comes after Russia’s ban from the Eurovision Song Contest, underscoring the importance of providing alternative platforms for international musical collaboration.
President Vladimir Putin’s message to the participants emphasized the borderless nature of culture and music, celebrating the event’s unifying power. Looking ahead, the organizers have announced that next year’s Intervision Song Contest will be held in Saudi Arabia, promising continued global reach and exciting musical collaborations for years to come.
