The 23-year-old Nguyen Thai Minh is the first Vietnamese participant in one of the largest guitar contests in the US. 

The annual festival was created in 1991 by James Reid, director of the guitar programme at the University of Idaho, to bring students and professionals together for three days of concerts, master class lectures and a competition for young talents.

The festival always features mostly guitarists from the region and allows only those living and studying in the region to participate in the competition. 

This year, 22 students from northwestern universities and Canada participated. 

The jury board included prestigious guitarists, including Michael Partington from Washington University, Marc Techolz from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Lynn McGrath from the Guitar Foundation of America. 

Starting learning guitar at the age of 14, Minh became known in the music world after winning the top prize at the National Guitar Festival in 2002. 

He studied international business in the US, but thanks to the flexibility of his institution, he was able to pursue a Bachelors of Art in Music at Puget Sound University as well.

Minh has played professionally but this was the first time he has joined the festival. 

"No contestant wins a top prize the first time he participates," said Michael Millham, member of the organising board. 

Throughout the festival, Minh was able to meet and perform with other young talents, as well as learn from professionals. He said the festival helped him figure out his strengths and weaknesses as a musician. 

Minh plans to return to Vietnam when he finishes school to promote classical guitar and bring the instrument to more students.