Le Duc Tiep, 41, was part of the Vietnamese delegation attending the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II on May 9.
Tiep, who spent a decade studying and researching in Russia, said the trip was one of pride and nostalgia.
“I was surprised to find out I had become well-known.”
The video of Tiep gracefully performing a spontaneous cha cha cha routine with a Chinese military officer was all over social media in Vietnam and China, generating tens of thousands of interactions.
Lieutenant Colonel Le Duc Tiep dances with a Chinese military officer on the stage during an exchange event in Russia, May 7, 2025. Video courtesy of Tiep
Netizens praised him as a “wonderful diplomat” who represented his country admirably through culture.
The spontaneous performance occurred during a cultural exchange session hosted by the Russian army on May 7, featuring military participants from Vietnam, China, Laos, and Myanmar.
Though originally planned as predominantly Russian, the Chinese delegation decided to perform impromptu and invited others to join, and Tiep confidently stepped onto the stage.
He says: “The next morning my phone was filled with messages from friends and family. I didn’t realize my dance had gained such widespread attention.”
From shy to spotlight
Tiep’s passion for dancesport began while he was studying in Russia in 2004. Initially shy and hesitant to speak Russian, he joined his university’s dancesport club to improve his confidence and language skills.
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Lieutenant Colonel Le Duc Tiep with his Vietnamese delegation in Russia. Photo courtesy of Tiep |
He was one of the few international students in the club, and so his instructor gave him lessons free of charge.
The sport transformed Tiep’s life, allowing him to build friendships and deeply connect with Russian culture.
“Dancesport opened up my social life and improved my Russian,” he says.
He even participated in dancesport competitions and won medals in city and regional tournaments in Russia.
After returning to Vietnam in 2011 he was determined to popularize dancesport, and set up a club at the Military Technical Academy to offer free lessons.
It was highly successful, attracting students from many other academies.
Though he no longer teaches himself, he continues to guide enthusiasts and perform at school events.
He practices regularly and plans to introduce the sport to his children and potentially resume classes in the future.
“If I weren’t a military officer, I might have pursued dancesport professionally,” he reveals.
