Ms. Le Thi Hong Van (stage name: Le Van), a lecturer from the Faculty of Arts, DTU School of Engineering & Technology (SET), won the Gold prize in the Vocal Category D at the 2025 Crescendo International Music Festival & Competition.
The Crescendo 2025 competition was held in Vietnam by the Vecchi - Tonelli Conservatory, one of the prestigious conservatories under the Italian Government and Ministry of Culture on a worldwide scale. In its second season, the competition attracted over 800 contestants from Vietnam, Austria, France, South Korea, Malaysia, and Brunei. Contestants competed in various categories such as: Piano solo, ensemble, string instruments, guitar, and vocals. The event serves as a platform for young musical talents to showcase their skills and passion, while opening doors to the international music scene.
Le Van successfully advanced from the online preliminary rounds and certificate assessments to the Finals, outperforming many outstanding contestants. Her emotional voice, confident stage presence, and solid technique impressed the jury with her performance of Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye).
Ms. Le Thi Hong Van won the Gold prize at the Crescendo
International Music Festival & Competition 2025. Photo: DTU
Sharing her thoughts on choosing the song associated with Andrea Bocelli, Hong Van explained that the piece of song is not only beautiful but also a personal reflection on separation, hope, and the courage to step outside one’s comfort zone. “Every time I sing this song, I’m able to fully connect with my emotions -quiet yet surging, filled with longing and aspiration,” she said. “This song has been with me for a long time. It represents my journey of daring to leave my comfort zone and move forward -in both art and life.”
Rather than showcasing vocal prowess through technical flair, Hong Van chose to convey the song as a heartfelt story shaped by her personal experiences. This heartfelt sincerity captivated the judges. The Gold prize marks a significant milestone in her artistic journey, highlighting music as a powerful medium for emotional expression and soulful connection.
After the competition, Hong Van hopes to bring these valuable experiences back to her teaching at DTU, helping students balance their emotions and fully embrace their passion for music. She envisions her vocal classes at the Faculty of Arts as a place where students not only learn to sing properly but also develop the ability to listen, feel, and connect with music on a deeper level.
According to her, just a few moments of humming a favorite tune or quietly listening to music after a focused study session can help students relieve stress and restore balance. She believes music fosters positivity, sparks creativity, and plants the seeds of compassion in every individual.
Le Van performing “Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye)”. Photo: DTU
DTU is investing in training programs such as Vocal Performance, Traditional Instrument Performance, Western Instrument Performance, Music Composition, Music Theory and Criticism, and Musicology. The university aims to build an educational environment where students can explore themselves, nurture a love for music, and spread humanistic values to the community.
The Vocal Music major is a specialized program that focuses on professional singing techniques and the comprehensive development of vocal performance skills. It blends language, music, emotion, and stage artistry.
Major code: 7210205. Specialization: Vocal Performance (code 901). Admission requirements: Candidates are admitted based on a combination of subjects in group N00: Literature, Talent 1 (Professional Skill), and Talent
2 (Music Knowledge). Minimum scores: 20 points for the National high school graduation exam results; 21 points for 12th-grade academic records.
- Talent 1 (Professional skill): multiplied by 2. Candidates must perform two songs in different styles -one folk song and one a cappella piece.
- Talent 2 (Music knowledge): Assesses basic knowledge in music theory, including rhythm, pitch recognition, and basic music reading. This test is conducted exclusively by DTU.
Application and Exam schedule: Round 1: Applications accepted until August 1st, exams on August 17th. Round 2: Applications accepted until September 7th, exams on September 14th
(Media Center)