The Results of Vietnam International Piano Competition & Festival (VIPCF) 2025
From April 3 to April 8, 2025, the Final Round of the Vietnam International Piano Competition & Festival (VIPCF) 2025 was successfully held at both the Grand Concert Hall and Chamber Music Hall of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, featuring an esteemed international panel of jury members.
The event was organized in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Poland, with the patronage and support of the Embassy of Poland, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Fryderyk Chopin Institute (Poland), and Bösendorfer Pianos. Under the slogan “A UNITED STAGE – MỘT SÂN KHẤU KẾT NỐI”, this inaugural edition named after Frédéric Chopin offered participants a unique opportunity to connect internationally and perform at the highest level of professionalism.
In the most prestigious category of the competition – the Concert Pianist Category – Toby Tan Kai Rong from Singapore was awarded First Prize, as well as the “Best Chopin Performance Award”, earning the opportunity to perform in Poland, sponsored by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute. In this highly competitive category, 17-year-old Vietnamese pianist Nguyễn Đức Kiên achieved an impressive Third Prize.
Across the other categories – Professional, Theme-based, and Open – top prizes were predominantly awarded to international contestants from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, China, and Thailand. Nevertheless, several Vietnamese contestants stood out, including Võ Giáp Phong (Second Prize – Chopin A Category) and Vũ Thái Minh (First Prize – Professional D Category). Two Vietnamese pianists, Nguyễn Đức Kiên and Đặng Bá Minh Quân, were honored with the “Best Vietnamese Contestant” award, along with an invitation for a fully sponsored performance opportunity in Vienna (Austria) by Bösendorfer.
The jury board consisted of highly respected artists and pedagogues from both Vietnam and abroad, including: People’s Artist Trần Thu Hà (Vietnam), Armen Babakhanian (Armenia), Johan Schmidt (Belgium), Daniel Rivera (Argentina – Italy), Kotaro Fukuma (Japan), Jian Liu (New Zealand), Đào Trọng Tuyên (Vietnam), Nguyễn Huy Phương (Vietnam), Rintaro Akamatsu (Japan), Anthony Yu Say (Philippines), Tianhong Yang (China – USA), Lưu Hồng Quang (Vietnam – Australia), Wilson Chu (Indonesia), Daniel Guas (Argentina – Sweden), Krit Niramitthan (Thailand), Luo Wei (Singapore), and Nguyễn Mỹ Dung (Vietnam).
Alongside the main competition, VIPCF supported contestants with a wide range of engaging and enriching side events, designed to enhance artistic growth and confidence. From the Trial Concert on the Bösendorfer 280VC concert grand piano to masterclasses, workshops, and artist talks, participants had the opportunity to learn directly from world-renowned performers and educators—valuable experiences that inspired and motivated them for the Final Round.
With over 500 contestants across diverse age groups from more than 10 countries and regions, the success of the Frédéric Chopin Edition marks a remarkable milestone for VIPCF. The festival aims to become one of the most significant annual classical music events in Vietnam.
Speaking at the Gala Concert, Ms. Joanna Skoczek, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hanoi, shared: “Remember, the love of music and the pursuit of artistic excellence are the true prizes, and I encourage you to continue nurturing this passion as you move forward.”
VIPCF looks forward to future editions of this “United Stage” and hopes to continue receiving the support and enthusiasm of the musical community in the years to come.
