HÀ NỘI — The final round of Sao Mai (Morning Star) contest will start this month with the participation of the 30 best contestants.

The singers from Việt Nam’s northern, central, and southern regions and expatriate communities in China and Russia will compete across the three genres of chamber music, folk music, and pop.

The finales of chamber music performances are scheduled for September 9, folk performances on September 16, and pop on September 23.

The organising board will select four contestants in each of the three genres to enter the final round.

The competition’s finale and awards ceremony will be broadcast live from FLC Sầm Sơn Resort, Thanh Hóa Province on October 7.  

The contest was organised in three regions across the country since July to select best singers for the final round.

This year, a gala night will be held on September 30 to celebrate the contest’s 20th anniversary. It will gather famous singers who have won awards in previous Sao Mai competitions, such as Khánh Linh, Hồ Quỳnh Hương and Ngọc Khuê.

Sao Mai is a prestigious contest and the only one that gathers three genres: chamber music, folk music, and pop, said Trịnh Lê Văn, head of the organising board.

“The contest seeks new talents and supports them to develop their careers as professional singers,” he said.

Nguyễn Hồng Ngọc, a student of the National University of Art Education, said although there are many singing contests organised like The Voice and Việt Nam Idol, Sao Mai is still the most prestigious contest that all music students want to join.

“I want to try my best at the contest because I know the jury board requires much from contestants,” said Ngọc. “Through the contest, we have a chance to learn how to face challenges and pursue the professional singing career.”

Sao Mai singing contest, first conceived as the National Television Singing Festival, is held every two years. Well-known Vietnamese singers in chamber music, folk music and pop have emerged from the contest. — VNS