MOSCOW − Vietnam was crowned teh winner of the Russian-hosted intervision song contest in the early hours of Sunday morning, a competition backed by President Vladimir Putin and conceived as a geopolitical and socially conservative rival to Eurovision.
In February, Putin ordered the revival of Intervision, a Soviet-era regional musical contest based on “traditional family values,” after Moscow was excluded from the Eurovision Song contest in 2022 following Putin’s decision to send tens of thousands of troops into ukraine.
Kyiv,a city in Ukraine,has described the event as “an instrument of hostile propaganda.”
Shown live on Russian TV and broadcast across parts of Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, Intervision was held at an arena outside Moscow with singers hailing from more than 20 countries accounting for 4 billion peopel, half the world’s population, including China, India and Brazil.
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Vietnam’s Duc Phuc, whose song was based on a folktale about a king famous for repelling an enemy army, was crowned the strongest act by a jury made up of participating countries.
Duc Phuc, who represents Vietnam, performs during the Intervision International Music Contest 2025 in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 20, 2025. (Evgenia Novozhenina,REUTERS)
Vietnamese Singer Duc Phuc Wins Intervision Song Contest,Makes Dig at Eurovision
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Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc has won the Intervision International music Contest 2025,held in Moscow,Russia on September 21,2025. The win has been accompanied by controversy, as Phuc made a pointed remark about Eurovision, referencing Conchita Wurst, the winner of the 2014 contest.
Image of Duc Phuc with trophy
Credit: Evgenia Novozhenina, REUTERS
Caption: Duc Phuc, who represents Vietnam, holds the trophy after winning the Intervision International Music Contest 2025 in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2025.
Context of the Intervision Contest and Phuc’s Remarks
The Intervision Song Contest is a relatively new international music competition, positioned as an alternative to the more established Eurovision Song Contest.While details about the contest’s founding and rules are still emerging, it appears to be gaining traction with participation from a growing number of countries.
Following his victory, Duc Phuc reportedly took a swipe at Eurovision, stating that it had once been won by “a bearded man in a dress.” This was widely understood as a reference to Conchita Wurst, the Austrian drag queen who won Eurovision in 2014 with the song “Rise Like a Phoenix.” https://www.eurovision.tv/history/conchita-wurst-rise-like-a-phoenix
Russia’s Stance on LGBTQ+ Rights and the Contest
Phuc’s comment takes on added significance given the political climate in Russia. Russia has enacted stringent laws restricting expressions of LGBTQ+ rights, including a ban on any actions deemed to promote “homosexuality.” Furthermore, the “international LGBT public movement” has been officially branded as an extremist institution by Russian authorities. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-labels-international-lgbt-movement-extremist-2023-11-24/ This context suggests Phuc’s remarks may have been deliberately provocative,or at least aligned with the host country’s political stance.
Reactions and Future Implications
The reaction to Phuc’s comments has been mixed. While some have criticized the remarks as insensitive and discriminatory, others have defended them as a harmless jab at a rival competition. the incident has sparked debate about the role of politics in international music contests and the importance of inclusivity.
It remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the future of the Intervision Song Contest and Duc Phuc’s career.However, the incident highlights the increasing intersection of music, politics, and social issues on the global stage.
Key Takeaways:
* Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc won the Intervision Song Contest 2025 in Moscow.
* Phuc made a controversial remark about Eurovision and its 2014 winner, Conchita Wurst.
* The incident occurs within the context of Russia’s restrictive laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
* The controversy raises questions about the role of politics in international music competitions.