VietNamNet Bridge - Passing more than 15,000 competitors in a nearly six-month long singing contest, Tran Quoc Thien became the second Vietnam Idol in a gala at the Hoa Binh Theatre, HCM City last night. The runner-up was Pham Tran Thanh Duy.

Vietnam Idol 2008 Quoc Thien.

Quoc Thien, 21, comes from the southern province of Dong Nai. Before testing himself with Vietnam Idol 2008, Thien was a member of N9 band and participated in some small singing contests.

In the first rounds of Vietnam Idol 2008, Quoc Thien impressed the Jury and the audience with his voice. His appearance and style changed very quickly and impressively in final rounds. Quoc Thien obtained the highest number of votes from the audience through text messages to become the new Vietnam Idol.

“Winning the Vietnam Idol 2008 title is a great and impressive turning-point in my life. I would like to send my thanks to anybody who helped me have this valuable opportunity,” Quoc Thien said.

Quoc Thien will represent Vietnam at ASEAN Idol. His bonus will be a big recording contract and be admitted as a member of Music Faces Company with Ho Ngoc Ha, Phuong Vy, Anh Khoa and Le Hieu.

The top ten contestants of Vietnam Idol 2008: Nguyen Thi Cam Tu, 22, from Hanoi; Nguyen Thi Duyen Anh from Soc Trang; Nguyen Vo Lan Trinh, 21, from HCM City; Nguyen Thi Minh Chuyen, 22; Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, 24, from Vinh Phuc; Pham Tran Thanh Duy, 22, from Tra Vinh; Tran Quoc Thien, 20, from Dong Nai; Dinh Ung Phi Truong, 24; Giap Le Tuan, 20, from Bac Giang; and Tran Hoang Anh.

Vinh Khang