Phuong My Chi only made it to the Top 3 in the international competition, but now she has defeated the champion Duc Phuc.

Recently, the Green Wave Awards announced the top 5 nominees in key categories, quickly attracting the attention of music lovers.

In particular, the Breakthrough Singer category became the focus of discussion when Phuong My Chi was named in the top 5, while Duc Phuc was absent.

This contrast has sparked much debate on social media, especially given that both artists have recently participated in international music competitions and achieved notable successes.

Many have questioned why Phuong My Chi, despite only finishing third in an international competition, was still highly regarded in the Breakthrough Singer category, while Duc Phuc, who won the championship, was not included in the nominations. In response to these questions, Ms. Dieu Minh, editor of the Green Wave Awards, shared some information to clarify the selection criteria for the award.

According to Ms. Dieu Minh, the criteria for the Breakthrough Singer category are not based on a single achievement, but focus on the strong transformation and remarkable progress of the artist throughout the year. "The criteria for the Breakthrough Singer category are for artists who have made remarkable progress professionally during the year. Phuong My Chi won the championship of the 'Em xinh say hi' program, then continued to 'take her talent abroad' and achieved success. Notably, Phuong My Chi not only has one song on the chart but as many as 13 songs, showing the diversity in her musical style," Ms. Dieu Minh stated.

In fact, the past year has been a significant breakthrough for Phuong My Chi. Having grown up in the folk music genre, the singer was once associated with a simple, innocent image. However, at the Sing! Asia 2025 program, she surprised Asian audiences with a spectacular transformation. Phuong My Chi delivered meticulously produced performances, harmoniously combining traditional and modern elements, thereby demonstrating her adaptability in a highly competitive international arena.

What was particularly impressive was Phuong My Chi's constant transformation throughout each round of the competition. Sometimes she appeared gentle in traditional costumes, performing emotionally rich ballads, while other times she exploded with a youthful, vibrant style and modern arrangements. This constant change helped Phuong My Chi create her own unique mark and kept her name consistently on online trending charts in many Asian countries.

Conversely, Duc Phuc also had a memorable year with a historic milestone: winning Intervision 2025, the international music competition that returned after a 40-year hiatus. His performance of "Phu Dong Thien Vuong" made a strong impression thanks to his powerful, emotional vocals and strong Vietnamese identity. This victory not only holds personal significance but is also considered an important step forward for Vpop on the global music map, following the milestone set by artist Ai Van in 1981.

However, from the organizers' perspective, outstanding international achievements are not the only factor in considering the Breakthrough Singer category. This category requires a significant change in image, style, and level of activity throughout the year. From that perspective, Phuong My Chi's inclusion in the top 5 reflects a comprehensive transformation, while Duc Phuc's absence shows that each category has its own distinct criteria.

Duc Phuc competes in Intervision 2025: Doing something subtle like Phuong My Chi Hoàng Phúc11:49:58 15/09/2025The male singer chose a new song called Phu Dong Thien Vuong, inspired by the legend of Thanh Giong and the image of the bamboo tree, a symbol closely associated with the history and life of the Vietnamese people.