FSOFT wins First Prize at FPT’s 37th STCo Gala with musical “In 3X Out 7X”

After two years since the grand FPT 35th Anniversary in 2023, the most spectacular STCo night returned — once again crowning FSOFT with the highest honor. With the performance “In 3 Out 7”, 35 artists from the Software House captured the hearts of both the audience and the judges, reaffirming their position as the reigning champion of the STCo Gala.

The play was written by FSOFT’s Creative Director Đinh Tiến Dũng (widely known as “Professor Xoay”) and featured a special appearance by FSOFT CDO Nguyễn Quốc Đông, delivering a story that was both humorous and sophisticated. “In 3 Out 7” was staged in alignment with the Gala’s theme and FSOFT’s assigned style, “Euro-American,” reflecting the company’s globalization strategy: after making a name in Japan, FSOFT is now expanding strongly into Europe and the Americas.

The hall burst into laughter when two characters, implicitly portraying FPT Chairman Trương Gia Bình and Vice Chairman Bùi Quang Ngọc, appeared on stage, reflecting: “The glory days are gone, perhaps it’s time to pass the crown.” The comedy escalated when the troupe performed “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” (from Carmen), turning their affection for the leaders into high-level STCo material that completely won the audience over.

But the twist came when Mr. Đông — representing FSOFT’s leadership — stepped forward, singing a rewritten STCo version of Auld Lang Syne, declining the invitation to the “hot seat” in order to continue the mission of bringing Vietnamese intelligence to the global stage. The entire auditorium then joined in singing “Người FPT”, ending the performance with coherence, climax, humor, and heartfelt emotion — the very essence of FSOFT’s signature “witty sophistication.”

The unique appeal of the performance also came from the subtle details skillfully embedded throughout. Although staged by FSOFT, the piece reflected the colors of all FPT member companies, creating a vivid and united picture. The appearances of “Old Bình and Old Ngọc” (played by actors) evoked memories of FPT’s challenging early days, before continuing into today’s glory. Even the title “In 3 Out 7” was a playful yet profound wordplay, symbolizing the enduring bond of being part of the FPT family.

Immediately after the show, the judges gave high praise to FSOFT. FPT Chairman Trương Gia Bình was especially delighted: “Our tradition is to poke fun at our leaders. Today this piece didn’t just tease me, but also Ngọc. I truly enjoyed FSOFT’s performance.”

Musician Nguyễn Văn Chung, author of the hit “Continuing the Story of Peace” and first-time STCo judge, commented: “The first two performances I didn’t quite understand. But the third one (FSOFT) I did — it was meaningful, the songs were well-written and artistic. As a musician, I truly liked FPT Software’s performance.”

Representing the “FSOFT Theatre,” Khương Thị Tuyến (DCE.YU) shared: “During rehearsals, our team poured a great deal of effort — from visuals, scripting to logistics — everything was carefully prepared. That’s why this First Prize is not too surprising for the Software House.”

“The moment the whole hall sang STCo together — with even Chairman Trương Gia Bình joining in — was even more wonderful than the prize announcement itself. It was an unforgettable pride for us FSOFTers,” another troupe member expressed emotionally.

The Gala concluded with the announcement of awards across categories, where FSOFT once again left a brilliant mark:

• First Prize – STCo Gala
• Second Prize Overall (Sports Festival and Gala)
• Third Prize – Sports Parade & Mass Performance
• Individual Awards (Gala):
  • Leadership Award “Acting Without Knowing” – FSOFT CDO Nguyễn Quốc Đông
  • Best Actor – Nguyễn Ngọc Linh (DCE.YU)
  • Best Actress – Tô Thanh Hằng (FA.VN)