The new version of the 2023 Devotion Award has been introduced with some remarkable changes. Among them are a new category to honour people in the field of sport and a new way of voting in which the audience's online ballots can decide five of the nine categories available. These changes have received much attention from experts and the media. Music producer Nguyễn Hữu Vượng and journalist Lê Vũ Quang Đức talk with Thể thao & Văn hóa (Sport and Culture) about the changes.

Nguyễn Hữu Vượng: New voting makes a balance between professions and the audience's opinion.

This year, one of the changes that impress me the most is that the Devotion Award honours contributors in not only the field of music but also sports. To me, sport unites the nation and helps push the national spirit, so sports people are deserved to be honoured with awards.

Music producer Nguyễn Hữu Vượng. — VNA/VNS Photos

In addition, the audience's vote is a smart change. They regularly watch and listen to music products, especially music videos.

Although the audience does not decide 100 per cent of awards, they have the right to vote for their favourite singers and music works. This will encourage artists to pay attention to creating songs, videos and other music products to serve listeners' demands.

This year's way of voting will helps balance the opinions of professional experts, journalists and the audience. It would be good for future music products."

Lê Vũ Quang Đức: I expect positive results from changes

I am excited to see the Devotion Award returning after one year of absence.

To me, this award maintains its typical identity with its tradition of almost 100 nationwide reporters and journalists participating in the vote. It is a voting model that has been used in many prestigious councils worldwide for years. 

The changes in this year's award, in some ways, make me expect positive results.

Journalist Lê Vũ Quang Đức. VNA/VNS Photo

The 2023 Devotion Awards will be given to people in music and sport. It is natural and understandable because the contribution of sports people is remarkable and should be recognised, especially Việt Nam sports has made up impressive development in recent years.

Furthermore, I hope to see clarity in awarding prizes for each field.  For example, organisers can dedicate each month to each award so that it is easier for the public and people can deeply remember it.

With the new voting way, with the audience's participation, reporters and journalists do not have 100 per cent the right to choose the awards. I am myself a little sad about it.

As I mentioned above, the identity of the Devotion Award is close to the academic prizes in the world. But in fact, Oscar and Grammy have recently made a gap with the public as these awards try to keep their tradition. 

People's interest and the coverage of these awards have been narrowed much more than they used to be. Maintaining the traditional way is a challenge, and the change of our award would be a timely adjustment with the age of the digital revolution.

I am not sure about the results of these changes, but I know that it is an inevitable change that we should embrace.

On the other hand, the audience's vote focused on categories of visuals while experts still took charge of professional ones. It was a reasonable change by the organisers. It is also a good choice to maintain the award's identity and access closer to the audience and public.

The organisers also made the right decision when cutting the Programme Series of the Year. Still, I was confused when they divided the Singer of the Year into Male Singer and Female Singer of the Year because today, music is a genderless industry.

Five out of nine categories and nominees were announced, which showed that organisers have had their discoveries and recognised many surprisingly new but impressive artists like Mono.

There are some concerns about some music videos supported by brands. I think that it is normal as there have categories for artistic and non-commercial products like the Album of the Year.

Music videos or other products made by the order have existed for a long time. The only difference is their popularity to become favourite songs, so as long as the artistic element is guaranteed, it's acceptable.

Besides the new changes, I expect to have a fixed date for the award ceremony so that everybody will remember and look forward to it every year.

And last but not least, the awarding night. I hope it will be held worthily as the National Programme of the Year with a brilliant concept and artistic organisation. — VNS