The event, a regional final, witnessed a spectacular display of talent from nearly 300 contestants across Australia, South Korea, China, the United States, and host country Vietnam.
In the amateur category, nine-year-old guitar prodigy Nguyen Lee Hieu claimed first place, while 12-year-old violinist Wang Shang En and 13-year-old drummer Le Ha Linh Chi secured second and third prizes, respectively.
Moving on to the professional category, the first prize was awarded to 22-year-old Giang A Hang, an ethnic H’Mong man from Sa Pa town. They were closely followed by 17-year-old pianist Tran Nhat Minh and 18-year-old guitarist Duong Anh Duc, who took home second and third prizes.
The top three students, Giang A Hang, Tran Nhat Minh, and Duong Anh Duc, will now advance to the HKIMF final in Hong Kong, China. There, they will showcase their talents on Chinese woodwinds, piano, and guitar, respectively, from August 15 to 21.
First held in 2013, HKIMF has become a celebrated event, attracting approximately 3,000 participants. This year marks the festival’s 11th edition, and it continues to be a platform for discovering exceptional musical talent and fostering cultural exchange within the Asian region.