HCM CITY— HCM City-based boy band 365’s first MV (music video) has been nominated for the 2017 Cống Hiến (Devotion) Award for Best MV by the Vietnam News Agency’s Thể Thao & Văn Hóa (Sports & Culture) newspaper. 

After beating MVs from pop idols Đông Nhi and Hồ Ngọc Hà, the band was nominated for their success in singing modern folk music.

Their MV, Bống Bống Bang Bang, is about young men in love, based on a Vietnamese fairy tale.

The song was first written for children by Only C, one of Hà Nội’s young music producers, but was later remixed for the adult audience. 

On the MV, four members of 365 perform the song in traditional costumes, leaving a strong impression on audiences, both young and old.  

“We wanted to sing in a different way than other young singers. So, we decided to sing Bống Bống Bống Bang, a folk song, instead of a pop or dance number. We hope our MV provides fans with a new taste,” said the 28-year-old Issac, head of 365.    

Nearly 100 music critics and reporters from prestigious newspapers and magazines submit votes for the Cống Hiến Awards.

Issac and his band will compete with Hà Nội-based colleague, Hoàng Thùy Linh, for the prize.

Linh, 29, worked with composer Hồ Hoài Anh, who is experienced in folk music, to challenge her vocal range. Her MV, Bánh Trôi Nước (floating rice dumplings), combines folk and western music, accompanied by several instruments and electronic music.     

Her album includes beautiful scenes capturing famous landscapes across the country. It received a mixed response from fans and critics.

“I think Bánh Trôi Nước has enough quality to compete with MVs produced professionally by Asian artists,” said music director Đoàn Minh Tuấn of HCM City.

Tuấn said that he would vote for Linh’s album.

Three other nominees for Best MV of the Year include Cause I Love You from Noo Phước Thịnh, Gửi Anh Xa Nhớ (For You) from Bích Phương and Phía Sau Một Cô Gái (Behind a Girl) from Soobin Hoàng Sơn.

All of the MVs in pop and dance music are productions by new faces.

The three singers are under 30 years old and have worked with leading composers and showbiz organisers to produce music on stage and in the studio.

The Cống Hiến Awards are presented annually to the best show, album and artist in nine categories.

The traditional categories include Best Music Video, Best Album, Best Musician, Best Producer, New Talent, Best Singer, Best Show and Song of the Year. There will also be an award for the Best Series of Music Performances.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Hòa Bình Theatre, with a live broadcast scheduled on Vietnam Television, in mid-April.

"Through our prizes, we hope to support music artists in their work, encouraging them to contribute more to the country’s music industry," said Đỗ Doãn Phương, the newspaper’s deputy-in-chief and member of the organising board. VNS