Filipino singer wins Vietnam Idol competition

03 October, 2016 | Vietnam News
Janice Phuong sings. (Photo courtesy: Petro Times)

A Filipino singer has become the first foreigner to win the popular singing competition Vietnam Idol.

Janice Phuong was crowned the reality TV’s season seven winner after receiving over 54 percent of the viewer’s votes and taking home the VND600 million ($A35,000) award.

The 28-year-old singer charmed local audiences with her rendition of the song “Hello Vietnam” in English and Vietnamese in the show’s finale.

Second place went to 22-year-old local contestant Viet Thang, a singer from the northern province of Hải Dương.

According to state media reports, Phuong has lived in Vietnam for seven years and works as a professional singer in bars and clubs.

Vietnam Idol opened to expats for the first time this year.

– TiVi Tuan-san