Master Le Thi Hong Van (Le Van), lecturer atDTU(DTU), winGold Award in the Vocal Category of Group Dat the Crescendo International Music Competition 2025.

The Crescendo 2025 International Music Competition is organized by the Vecchi - Tonelli Conservatory, the Government and the Italian Ministry of Culture, in Vietnam. The second season attracted more than 800 contestants from Vietnam, Austria, France, Korea, Malaysia, and Brunei to compete in many contents: solo piano, ensemble, string instruments, guitar and vocals. This is a playground for young musical talents to show their ability and passion for art, and at the same time, open up opportunities to access the international music environment.

Participating in the contest, Le Van overcame many excellent contestants from the online qualifying round to the certification round to enter the Finals. She has an inspiring voice, poise and solid technique, convincing the judges with the song Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye)

ThS. Lê Thị Hồng Vân giành giải Vàng tại Crescendo International Music Festival & Competition 2025. Ảnh: DTU
MSc. Le Thi Hong Van won the Gold Award at the Crescendo International Music Festival & Competition 2025. Photo: DTU

Sharing about the reason for choosing the song associated with the famous singer Andrea Bocelli, a female lecturer at  the Faculty of Arts, School of Technology and Engineering (SET), DTU said that this is not only a beautiful song, but also a narrative about separation, hope and the journey beyond the comfort zone. Every time she sings this song, she is able to live true to her emotions, quietly, surging but full of aspiration.

"This is a song that has stuck with me for a long time, representing the journey of daring to leave my comfort zone to move forward in art and life," she said.

Le Van's performance. Video: DTU

Instead of showing off her technique, Hong Van chooses to tell music stories with pure emotions from her own experience. That sincerity helped the performance convince the judges. The Gold Award marks an important step in the artistic journey of a young female lecturer at DTU, showing that music is a journey that spreads emotions and connects the soul.

After the competition, Hong Van wants to bring those experiences back to the DTU lecture hall, helping students balance their emotions and live their passions to the fullest. She hopes vocal lessons at the university's Faculty of Arts will help students learn to sing properly, to listen, feel and connect with music.

According to her, after every hour of concentrated study, just a few minutes of humming their favorite melody or quietly listening to the music, students can relieve their psychology and regain balance. She believes that music nurtures positivity, sparks creativity and sows the seeds of humanity in each person.

Le Van performed the song Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye). Photo: DTU

With the desire to bring music to lecture halls, DTU is investing in majors 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 that helps students discover themselves, nurture a love of music, and spread human values to the community.

Vocal Music is an in-depth art discipline, focusing on training vocal performance techniques and comprehensively developing professional singing abilities. This is a combination of language, music, emotions and performance skills.

Vocal Music (code: 7210205), Vocal Performance (code: 901), admission according to the N00 subject combination including Literature, Gifted 1 and Gifted 2. The admission score is 20 points for high school graduation exam results and 21 points for grade 12 transcripts.

In which, Aptitude 1 (professional) is multiplied by a factor of 2, contestants present two elective songs in two different styles, including a folk song and a song without accompaniment.

Aptitude 2 (knowledge) tests basic knowledge of music theory including rhythm, pitch listening, and basic note reading. This competition is organized exclusively by DTU.

Candidates can register and participate in the entrance exam in two batches. In the 1st phase, the school accepts applications until the end of August 10 and organizes the entrance exam on August 17; Phase 2, receive applications until the end of September 7 and take the entrance exam on September 14.