The class has celebrated a proud milestone that all four students competing in the final round of the National Piano Talent Festival 2026 have won prizes.
This marked the second time its students joined the national finals in Hanoi, organized by the Institute for Development of Vietnamese Education and Culture with support from the Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
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Non-commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Ho Truc Truong and his students Cai Thi Thanh Hang and Thieu Dinh Nguyen |
This year’s competition drew over 2,000 contestants nationwide. All four of Truong’s students won awards: Thieu Dinh Nguyen (born in 2017) and Cai Thi Thanh Hang (2016) won the silver medal, Duong Thanh Phuong (2014) the bronze medal, and Nguyen Binh Nguyen (2016) the consolation prize.
For a remote border area, this achievement is truly remarkable, reflecting not only the students’ efforts but also the teacher-soldier’s dedication in nurturing their talent.
Born in Hung Chau, Nghe An province, and trained in music education at Hanoi National University of Education and with many years of experience in youth and mass mobilization work, Ho Truc Truong understands local children’s limited access to arts. Therefore, he founded the class to help them approach Western instruments, especially piano which remains unfamiliar to many families in border areas.
The class faced early disruption due to COVID-19 and later resumed with four students, sometimes just one. Despite this, he persisted, even offering free lessons and encouraging families to support their children’s passion for music.
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At the Melody music class |
Though modest in space (nearly 20sq.m) and equipment (an old unbranded piano and a few simple electronic keyboards), the class is full of energy with the teacher’s enthusiasm and the students’ passion. It has gradually attracted more students from distant areas. Truong hoped to bring recognition to Duc Co through national piano competitions.
In 2025, his students won four bronze medals at the festival. Moved by their story, organizers presented a new piano worth VND 30 million to the class, providing both material support and encouragement for the teacher, his students, and other music-lovers.
The medals were testament to the students’ great efforts, overcoming pressure in a major competition, rigorous training, and long travel to Hue city for the semi-finals before reaching Hanoi.
Dang Thi Huong Giang, mother of Thieu Dinh Nguyen, shared her joy: “Seeing my child confidently step onto the stage and perform with passion made me very happy. The prize is not the most important thing. I want my child to experience growth, build perseverance and concentrate, express emotions through music, and gain confidence.”
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Non-commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Ho Truc Truong receives a piano worth VND 30 million for the Melody music class at the award gala 2025. |
Student Duong Thanh Phuong said emotionally: “This is my first major music competition and my first award. I will practice harder to achieve a higher result next year.” Their joy grew further when, in late April, Thieu Dinh Nguyen from Duc Co commune and Duong Thanh Phuong from Ia Krel commune received certificates of merit from the commune People’s Committees, reflecting local authorities’ attention to nurturing talent and promoting culture and arts.
From a simple dream, teacher-soldier Ho Truc Truong continues to nurture young talents, aiming to expand opportunities, especially for ethnic children. From this small class at the frontier, musical talents are expected to shine in the near future.
Translated by Mai Huong