Nine-year-old boy wins Vietnam’s Got Talent

By Nine-year-old boy Nguyen Duc Vinh from the northern province of Bac Ninh performs a tuong (Vietnamese classical drama) act on the coronation night of Vietnam’s Got Talent - PHOTO: COURTESY OF VTV

Vinh was born and raised in the land of the world intangible heritage quan ho (love duet) in Bac Ninh. During the eight-month-long contest, the boy showed his aspiration and great talent in performing the country’s traditional folk music.

He convinced the judging panel and audiences with a typical piece of tuong (Vietnamese classical drama) entitled Ong gia cong vo di xem hoi (an old man carrying his wife on the back to a festival).

Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc, a jury member, commented that Vinh was performing as if he were entranced. Judge Thuy Hanh, TV host/former model, said Vinh was a phenomenon on the folk music scene in Vietnam and it was not an exaggeration to say that Vinh is a prodigy.

Previously, Vinh made a strong impression by playing Thi Mau in a cheo (northern opera singing) extract of Thi Mau len chua (Ms. Mau going to the pagoda) at the qualification round. Then he entered the semi-final round where he sang and danced in a chau van (a traditional ritual singing) act called Co Doi Thuong Ngan.

This year, the organizers chose the best four out of 14 performances on the final round night. They were of Nguyen Duc Vinh, child singer Ngo Phuong Bich Ngoc, Chuon Chuon Giay drama group, and child dance duo Hoang Gia Linh – Hoang Gia Bao.

Apart from the grand prize of VND500 million, Vinh received VND100 million from the sponsor OMO brand. After the coronation night, he and his mother departed from HCMC to Bac Binh to celebrate the victory with his family.

Vietnam’s Got Talent was organized by Vietnam Television, BHD Company and OMO brand of Unilever Vietnam. The winners of the previous editions were opera singer Tran Huu Kien in 2013 and child dance duo Dang Quan-Bao Ngoc in 2012.