Young pianist Nguyen Quang Hong An of Viet Nam has received an Honourable Mention prize at the 15th annual San Jose International Piano Competition (SJIPC) held in the United States.

Pianist Nguyen Quang Hong An performing at the 15th annual San Jose International Piano Competition (SJIPC) in the United States.

The 14-year-old student of the HCM City Conservatory of Music received the honour for the Intermediate Category Prize, which has no third prize. Liu Vincent and Tang-Wang Sean of the United States won the first and second place, respectively.

The 2014 SJIPC, which was held from June 6 to 15, drew 91 participants from countries all over the world. The competition included the other three prize categories: young musicians, junior and advanced. Of the winners, the United States claimed eight awards while Italy, Japan, South Korea and Viet Nam received one award each.

Founded in the Spring of 2000, the Russian Music Competition was founded by Dr. Irina Prilipko-Morgan and her husband Dan Morgan.

An has also received other achievement awards, including third prize at the Steinway International Young Competition 2014 in Viet Nam, summer scholarships in Canada and the United States in 2013 and Toyota awards for young musicians in 2012. An has also entered the final round of the second International Piano Competition in 2012 in Ha Noi.

"I dream of becoming a noted pianist and travelling around the world for performances to bring glory to the country," noted An, who is due to return to Viet Nam on June 26.

VNS/VNN