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| Cong Minh (the third from right) and his co-performers |
Patiently pursuing his passion
Nguyen Cong Minh (Minh Zo as his stage name) was born in 2002 in Ky Anh Commune, Ha Tinh Province. He took up the flute by accident after hearing a flute melody on television. With no textbooks, nor an instructor, Minh taught himself by watching video clips to learn finger placement and breathing techniques. He started with simple melodies until he felt confident to perform at school.
After graduating from high school, Minh spent two years studying at an intermediate-level music college, then took the entrance exam to Hue Academy of Music. In 2022, with the score of 26.5, he became the top scorer in the entrance exam. At the academy, he learned how to control his breathing, to process a piece of music, to perform, and to play with vibrato. Performances and musical exchange events at school help him get used to the stage, lighting, the way to perform and to process a piece of music.
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| The bamboo flute accompanies Cong Minh throughout his musical journey |
Throughout his three years at school, he studied very well, practiced regularly and mastered bamboo flute techniques. He now feel more confident on big stages. “Minh has solid foundation and a clear sense of discipline. He always maintains stability in each music piece and knows how to prepare for his performance. Minh’s always aware of finding and correcting his mistakes, which makes him progress over time,” said Tran Huu Quang, Vice-Dean of the Traditional Music Department.
On big stages
The expanded National Music Festival 2025 took place at the Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together more than 50 solo vocal and instrumental performances with 135 newly composed works. Of the 89 performances selected for awards by the Judging Panel, 15 received Gold Medals.
In the instrumental solo category, Minh entered with the piece “Remembering the River” by composer Đinh Ha Linh. That is a challenging piece because it requires stable breathing and numerous difficult techniques. Minh’s performance was praised by the judges for his expression and his complete and refined interpretation.
“I didn’t mean to win. I just wanted to challenge myself on such a big stage. For a young person like me, just standing there was already an honor. When my name was called for Gold Medal, I felt astonished and proud because I hadn’t thought about that,” said Minh.
Returning to Hue, Minh continues to study and practice. Along with traditional pieces, he tried ballads and modern arrangements for young audiences. In addition to live performances, Minh also posts his video clips on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to reach more audiences. This helps him connect with those young people who share his passion while also giving him more motivation to continue exploring new directions for his flute.