Đọc bản tiếng Việt tại đây.
The competition brought together a distinguished jury of artists and researchers: artist-curator Trong Gia Nguyen, who served as Chief Judge; Dr Bridget Tracy Tan; and painter Tran Van Thao. Lan Tinh Foundation accompanied the competition as an advisory partner. This year, the number of submissions increased by 40% compared with the previous year, reflecting the continued growth of Vietnam’s contemporary art landscape.
The competition’s highest honour, the UOB Painting of the Year 2026 (Vietnam), was awarded to artist Le The Lam for his work Life, Death and Neon. Heavy, almost monochromatic forms occupy much of the picture plane, contrasting with the five small portraits below, rendered in thin layers of paint. A strip of neon light separates the two sections, suggesting an intrusion of the present into a realm of memory while also marking a divide between landscape and human presence. Differences in scale, surface and tone create a tension between the weight of the larger forms and the fragile, elusive quality of the faces. The work opens onto reflections on life, death and the uncertain nature of human memory. Life, Death and Neon will go on to represent Vietnam at the UOB Painting of the Year 2026 regional judging, to be held in Singapore on 28 October.
The Most Promising Artist of the Year was awarded to artist Nguyen Ba Dat for Ahead – “Slow Down”. Set against a neon pink background, the artist simulates a crowd of polished, cookie-cutter individuals, each figure’s arm pointing straight ahead. A sign implies the routine nature of this action. Despite their identical appearance, one character tends to turn their head to the right. The work offers a perspective on conformity, habitual lifestyles, and the facelessness of individuals in modern society.
Both Life, Death and Neon and Ahead – “Slow Down” will be presented at the UOB Painting of the Year’s regional showcase in Singapore.
Within the UOB Painting of the Year 2026 (Vietnam), the award-winning works in each category were as follows:
Established Artist:
Gold Award: Residue by Nguyen Dinh Tien
Silver Award: Waiting by Ta Thi Anh Hong
Bronze Award: Greeting a New Day by Nguyen Van Bay
Emerging Artist:
Gold Award: Hairwashing by Tran Lam Tuyet Nghi
Silver Award: Generating… by Tran Bich Thuyen
Bronze Award: Sediment by Bui Van Tinh
The UOB Painting of the Year 2026 (Vietnam) exhibition presents 8 award-winning works alongside 19 finalist artworks. It will be open to the public from 2 to 13 October 2026 at CHILLALA – House of Art in Ho Chi Minh City.
Words: Trao
Translation: Art Nation
