HCM CITY — Ten talented artists in film, music and theatre have been honoured at the 24th annual Mai Vàng (Golden Ochna) Awards ceremony at the HCM City Opera House.

The Người Lao Động (The Labourer) newspaper, the event organiser, on Saturday night gave awards for favourite singer and songstress to young artists Bùi Anh Tuấn and Đông Nhi.

Tuấn’s music video Chốn Cũ (Memorial Site), composed by Zen, has had 2.1 million views on YouTube three months after its release, while Nhi celebrated her 10-year singing career last month.

“I’ve spent a very long time struggling to find my own way in the music industry,” Tuấn said. “I’m happy that my efforts have gained the love of fans. That is motivation for me to stand up and introduce more quality works.”

The Mai Vàng Award for favourite film was given to TV serial Gạo Nếp Gạo Tẻ (Son and Daughter), a remake of the South Korean TV serial Wang’s Family, which appeared in 2013.

The 109-episode serial, a production of HCM City Television, was directed by Thạch Thảo and Hoàng Anh. It is about the problems and challenges faced by a Vietnamese family in today’s society.

Trung Dũng and Thúy Ngân, who played leading roles in the film, won awards for favourite actor and actress.

Ngân said:  “Holding the trophy, I can say that my dream has come true. I worked hard to follow my passion for acting and my effort has paid off. “

IDECAF Drama Theatre’s musical Tiên Nga (Fairy Tale), a production based on the 19th century Vietnamese epic poem Lục Vân Tiên by poet Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, won the Award for favourite theatre play.

Actor Võ Minh Lâm and actress Khả Như brought home the trophies for favourite theatrical actor and actress.

The organisers also gave awards to MC Ngô Kiến Huy, folk singer Phương Anh and comic actress Lâm Vỹ Dạ, who were nominated for the first time at the Mai Vàng Awards. — VNS