The second edition of the UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) competition was launched on May 7 in Hanoi. All emerging and established artists in Vietnam are welcome to submit their creative works.

The jury of the painting contest at the launch ceremony. Photo: UOB Vietnam

According to the event organizer, the flagship UOB POY competition is one of the most prestigious art competitions in Southeast Asia that supports the regional art scene.

The competition was expanded to Vietnam for its inaugural edition last year, allowing Vietnamese artists to showcase their talents alongside their counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. To date, the competition has uncovered more than 1,000 artistic talents across the region.

Victor Ngo, CEO of UOB Vietnam, said that the first painting competition last year had attracted the attention of many young local talents.

"It showed the excitement of Vietnam's contemporary art scene. The artworks entered in the competition were all excellent," he said.

Victor Ngo said the competition aspires to foster an environment conducive to the discovery and growth of Vietnamese artists, making art more accessible and inspiring the next generation of talent.

The panel of judges comprising prominent figures in the Vietnam art scene will select the winning artworks based on their creativity, technique and expression of ideas.

Artist Dang Xuan Hoa, Chief Judge of UOB Painting Competition, this year hopes that the competition will attract more excellent works of art.

"To establish themselves on the regional stage, Vietnamese artists need to infuse their creativity with new and modern ideas, while at the same time remaining rooted in Vietnamese national traditions and preserving their unique identity," he said.

The call for entries for the second UOB POY competition in Vietnam is open to all Vietnamese citizens and permanent residents from today until August 1. Artists are invited to submit original paintings created within the last two years, and there is no entry fee.  

Artist Trinh Minh Tien won the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Award with his artwork entitled "Thuy Phu - Water Palace".

The top artist in Vietnam will take home VND500 million (US$20,000) and a chance to compete for the prestigious UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award, worth SGD$13,000 (US$9,600) and an artist residency program.

The regional winner will be announced at the regional awards ceremony in Singapore in November this year.

Established in 1982, UOB POY is the longest running annual art competition in Singapore and one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia. The competition aims to promote the visual arts in the region and showcase the talents of established and emerging artists, and has uncovered over 1,000 artistic talents across the region since its inception.