HÀ NỘI — Winning artworks from the UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) 2024 in Việt Nam are now on display at the Việt Nam National Fine Arts Museum in Hà Nội, following the exhibition’s opening yesterday. 

The showcase features the compelling Dòng Chảy (The Flow) by Nguyễn Việt Cường, winner of the UOB Painting of the Year award, alongside Doraeco by Phan Tú Trân, named ‘Most Promising Artist of the Year’.

Other winning pieces from the Established and Emerging Artist categories, as well as five shortlisted works from the second UOB POY (2024), are also on public view.

The exhibition offers Hà Nội’s art community a distinctive experience, with works that blend contemporary expression and cultural heritage in innovative ways. Each piece reflects the spirit of the times while honouring Việt Nam’s traditional values.

At the exhibition’s opening, artists shared insights into the evolution of contemporary art, rooted in a century of Vietnamese fine arts. Discussions also explored future directions for Vietnamese artists seeking to reach regional and international audiences, particularly through UOB POY.

UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY), launched in Singapore in 1982, is a flagship art initiative. Recognising Southeast Asian talent, it has since expanded to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and most recently, Việt Nam in 2023.

As the longest-running art competition in Singapore and one of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious, UOB POY has nurtured over 1,100 artists across the region. Over the past two years, the competition in Việt Nam has attracted thousands of participants, from emerging talents to established professionals.

Alongside the exhibition, an art talk titled Contemporary Art Rooted in Heritage featured prominent figures, including artist Đặng Xuân Hòa, Chairman of the Fine Arts Council at the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and Chief Judge of the UOB POY 2024-25 competition, artist Ngô Văn Sắc, Silver Award winner in the Established Artist category at UOB POY 2024, and Dương Thu Hằng, Director of Hanoi Studio Gallery. Together, they shared diverse perspectives on contemporary creative practices, emphasising personal artistic expression, while preserving Việt Nam’s fine arts heritage.

Following Hà Nội, the art talks will continue in Huế and Hồ Chí Minh City throughout May, fostering intergenerational dialogue, sharing insights from UOB POY artists, and inspiring young creatives to propel Vietnamese art onto regional and global stages.

These events mark the launch of the third UOB POY in Việt Nam, open for submissions nationwide from May 8 to August 1, 2025. Vietnamese citizens and permanent residents can participate without an entry fee.

The winners of the third UOB POY in Việt Nam will be announced at an award ceremony, with winning paintings showcased in Hồ Chí Minh City in October. The top Vietnamese artist will receive VNĐ500 million and compete for the UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award, which includes a SGD$13,000 prize and an artist residency. The regional winner will be revealed in Singapore in November, and top artworks from Việt Nam’s Emerging and Established Artist categories will be exhibited at the National Gallery Singapore.

Beyond the competition, UOB supports Vietnamese artists in accessing regional art platforms such as Art Jakarta and Art Central, connecting them with Asia’s leading artistic talents.

Artists can also join the UOB Art Alumni Network, benefitting from support initiatives like commissioned works, exhibitions, client showcases, residency programes and regional symposiums.

For further details about the competition and UOB’s support for the arts across Southeast Asia, please visit UOBandArt.com. VNS