Musicians tune up for TV contest
Pool of talent: Performers take part in the semi-final of HCM City Television’s annual Vong Co Golden Bell Contest that will begin on August 1. —VNS Photo
HCM CITY (VNS)— The semi-final of HCM City Television (HTV)’s annual Vong Co (Nostalgic Tunes) Golden Bell Contest, beginning on August 1, will have 48 contestants in the fray.
The contest was initiated in 2006 with the aim of preserving and promoting vong co, an art form that is part of the cai luong (reformed opera) tradition.
The art is mostly performed in the southern part of the country.
The annual event featuring traditional songs native to southern Viet Nam also aims to seek for talented artists who will help popularise traditional art.
Vong co is a set of sad, languorous tunes that depict the hopes, dreams and laments of farmers living in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.
The semi-final round will be held in the Cuu Long Delta province of Bac Lieu, Ha Noi, the central province of Khanh Hoa, and Mekong Delta province of Long An on August 1, 8, 15 and 22 respectively.
In each of the four localities, the jury will choose three of 12 contestants for the final round in HCM City.
The final round will be held on September 5, 12 and 19 to select the best four for the grand finale on September 26.
The winner will receive a cash prize of VND50 million (US$2,380), and two runners-up will get VND30 million ($1,420) and VND20 million ($952) respectively.
All the rounds will be broadcast live on HTV 9 at 8.30pm.
This year, more than 500 people aged 16-35 took part in the preliminary rounds held in central and southern provinces early this month.
Kieu Tan, head of HTV’s literature and arts department, said this year’s contest saw talented young performers who had the potential to become cai luong artists. — VNS