HCM CITY —  Vietnamese residents aged 16 to 35 are encouraged to compete in the Bông Lúa Vàng (Golden Rice), a national amateur traditional music contest launched by Radio the Voice of  HCM City People (VOH).

The participants will perform vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) and cải lương (reformed theatre) plays, two of the region’s most popular forms of traditional music.

Began in 1993, the contest has brought together new talents and fans of cải lương music.

It has also offered quality theatre performances for millions of viewers, mostly poor farmers, around the country.

Ten finalists will compete for different prizes, including First Prize worth VNĐ70 million (US$3,000), Favourite Performer and Youngest Talent.

The audiences will vote for the winners.

The five-month contest’s selective rounds will begin next week in HCM City, Hà Nội, and provinces such as Long An, Tiền Giang, Cần Thơ, Bình Dương and Khánh Hòa.

The event will air every Friday and Saturday at 8am and 6pm at on VHO and 10 provincial radio stations.

“Our contest, Golden Rice, has attracted more than 15,000 contestants in the past 24  years. Many winners have become professional artists working for leading traditional art troupes in the region,” said Lê Công Đồng, director of VHO and member of the contest’s organising board.  

“Although facing challenges, we have tried our best to keep the contest popular because we hope to attract young people who want to learn about traditional music." — VNS