Contestant Ng Zhen Long Desmond (Singapore). Photo courtesy of the organiser

HÀ NỘI The final round of the ASEAN+3 Song Contest 2019 will be held on July 26-28 in the northern province of Quảng Ninh, home of the Hạ Long Bay World Heritage Site. 

Hosted by Radio the Voice of Việt Nam (VOV), the contest is for professional singers aged 18-35 of regional countries with the aim of boosting mutual understanding and enhancing knowledge about the culture and tourism of the countries involved. The contest also encourages young talents in the music industry.

Representive of Việt Nam, Trần Thị Hồng Nhung. Photo courtesy of the organiser

The contest will draw the participation of 22 singers from 10 ASEAN member countries. Guest singers from China, Japan and South Korea will also perform. The finale will be broadcast live on radio channels VOV3 and VOV5 (English) and on television channels VTC1 and Vietnam Journey on July 28.

VOV Vice Director Ngô Minh Hiển said the contest helps reinforce the position of Việt Nam in the ASEAN bloc. "Following the success of the first edition held in 2017, the contest received a warm welcome from the contestants and audiences at home and abroad.

“In 2007, the contest attracted seven countries to take part, this year, all members of the ASEAN bloc are sending representatives to the contest.

“The final round promises to be an impressive performance with diversified culture and music. Contestants will sing in their mother tongues or English.”

“With the responsibility of hosting the event, VOV desires to play a key role as a national media agency fostering solidarity and friendship among ASEAN members, in addition to contributing to building a strong ASEAN community, for peace, prosperity and development,” he added.

Preparations have been completed in Quảng Ninh Province. On the sidelines of the event, a range of cultural exchange activities will take place with the goal of promoting tourist attractions in Quảng Ninh such as Hạ Long Bay and Yên Tử Complex.

Việt Nam has three representatives including Nguyễn Thị Thương, Phạm Hưng Thịnh and Trần Thị Hồng Nhung. They are finalists of Sao Mai (Morning Star) National Singing Contest.

Nhung revealed that she will perform You Raise Me Up, and Never Enough. Meanwhile Thương will sing Adagio and Nhớ Cha (Missing Father), and Thịnh will present A Million Dreams and I'll Never Love Again.

Other singers include Soukthavy Southammavong and Visouda Saiyasan (Laos); Nur Ernie Shahirah Binti Zakri and Rosario Ninih Chamini Bianis (Malaysia); Jansen Daryl-Ann and Ng Zhen Long Desmond (Singapore) and Asty Pujisari (Indonesia).

The winner will receive a cash prize totalling US$3,000. The two second-place performers will be awarded US$1,500 each.

The three third place finalists will be given US$1,000 each whilst those receiving the five consolation prizes will get US$500 each.

The judges include famous artists and experts from ASEAN countries. Their names haven’t been revealed except People’s Artist Trọng Đài and diva Thanh Lam.

Among guests, singer Su Qing from China has released nearly 100 original songs and 18 albums and composed many songs for different singers. She has won many notable awards.

Yohei Hamabata is a singer-songwriter from Kyoto. He is famous all over Japan, performing an average of 15 shows a month. He also plays guitar and piano.

Im Chang Sook is a guest singer from South Korea. She is a main vocalist of girlband Two X.

Free tickets to performances by the contest can be reserved via Facebook/vovdulich.vn. VNS