Uptown funk: Trong Hieu conquered his audience with smooth vocals and suave dance moves. — Photo ngoisao.net

HCM CITY (VNS) — Vietnamese-German Trong Hieu, 23, won the Vietnam Idol contest on Sunday night backed by anover-whelming vote from the audience.

Hieu received more than 71.5 per cent, leaving his female rival Bich Ngoc far behind.

Before the show, judge Thanh Bui predicted she would become a new Vietnamese diva.

At the gala show on Sunday, Ngoc sang One Night Only, while Hieu performed Uptown Funk, the song he presented in the first phase of the contest.

The two finalists also performed a mashup (mixed together) duet of the songs Shine Your Light and Stronger.

They also joined judge Thanh Bui in the song Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.

All the Top 8 finalists reunited to perform Crush on You and Beautiful Girl.

Like all of Hieu's previous performances, he conquered the audience with his smooth vocals and nifty dance movements.

Together with the title, he also has received a VND600-million (US$27,000) cash prize.

Hieu seemed quite surprised when he was declared the winner of the Vietnam Idol's sixth season. At the point of tears, he thanked his grandparents, parents, and rival Ngoc in a voice choked with emotion.

Speaking with the media later, Hieu said he would stay in Viet Nam to develop his career.

"I hope this is the way to repay the great affection of the audience," he said.

The winner also said he will use a part of his cash prize for charity activities.

As he doesn't speak Vietnamese fluently, Hieu had to seek his mother's assistance whenever the media questions became too difficult.

His mother, who flew back to Viet Nam to support her son, said that Hieu had a great passion for music since he was young. He was among the top 25 in German Idol in 2008. — VNS